Housekeeping

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Mike P This is a movie about two sisters, Ruth and Lucille, coming of age in suburban Idaho, in the 50s...And it's brought to us by acclaimed independent filmmaker Bill Forsythe...And it's supposedly based on true events...And the girls are orphaned; right as they're entering high school... And they're forced to live with their eccentric Aunt Sylvie...And one girl is a popular conformist, and one is a misfit type...And it's really all about how their crazy aunt influences the both of them...And though it appears initially to be a low key, leisurely-paced, Canadian family dramedy set in the 50s; it's actually winds up being pretty powerful stuff; and quite heartbreaking and profound...And Christine Lahti, in particular, gives an amazing performance as the aunt that will haunt you long after the movie is over. Recommended. 👍 Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 10/23/24 Full Review Rebekah S Americans are notoriously intolerant of benign eccentricity. This subtle film shines as a valentine to it while not shying away from recognizing its social consequences. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 07/17/23 Full Review William L One of the most realistic depictions of the elderly you'll ever see in film - making conversation by bringing up people they very vaguely knew whose obituaries turned up in the local paper. Housekeeping is an interesting take on nonconformity - Lahti's Sylvie toes the line between liberated, independent thinking and chaotic negligence. This attitude isn't just conjured up out of nowhere; both Sylvie and her nieces end up fully embracing or totally rejecting the nomadic, unattached lifestyle as a result of personal tragedy. For one sister, the safety of convention is enough to move on, while for another, the indulgence of wandering is worth the potential for ostracism. There's independence here, but also a real risk of excessive gratification and irresponsibility. You don't want to start hoarding cans on the kitchen table and bundling up newspapers for the local church crowd to ogle at, after all. Interesting, restrained, and distinct from the many other 'social renegade', Dead Poets Society-esque films that popped up in the late '80s and early '90s. (3.5/5) Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 12/07/21 Full Review Audience Member enough time passes since i read the book i had forgotten alot. the movie brought to life items one misses in the book, like Ruthie walking with her head down all the time. and the sheer anixety in the faces of the girls as they wondered who woudl care for them. LOVED seeing the house flooded! Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/28/23 Full Review Audience Member Very good plot with wacky characters. LOVED IT Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/20/23 Full Review S R 1001 movies to see before you die. It has unique things to it, but is it a classic? I don't plan to see it again. RUS. Rated 2/5 Stars •  Rated 2 out of 5 stars 11/23/23 Full Review Read all reviews

Housekeeping

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