zeppo101 House of Fools follows the lives of a group of patients abandoned at a psychiatric hospital during the Chechen War in Russia. The protagonist, Janna (Yuliya Vysotskaya), must reconcile her dreams/delusions for a happy life (with Canadian pop star, Bryan Adams) and the real, violent war going on around her.Offering an insightful parallel between the minds of psychiatric patients and war-torn soldiers (from both sides of the war), the director, Andrei Konchalovsky, poses the questions: What is "madness" and who is truly "crazy"? Without losing its quirky humor, the film's questions are brought to light through emotionally moving and complex characters and plot.Konchalovsky provides a sympathetic contrast between the psychiatric patients and soldiers upholding his theme that true insanity comes from human aggression like war rather than mental disorders. The film first depicts the psychiatric patients as "crazy"; however, the arrival of the soldiers and war suggest a role reversal. The insanity of violence and two sides fighting against each other (who had previously fought with each other in the Soviet war in Afghanistan) is highlighted, while holding on to something—a hope for love, dreams, fantasies, and, above all, humanity—is presented as the combatant to insanity.For those who love quirky films with deeper emotional and philosophical meanings, this film provides a perfect balance. Yuliya Vysotskaya's performance as Janna is astonishing. At moments she makes you feel both utterly sad and joyously optimistic at the same time. She plays the role beautifully and intelligently, using her humor as relatable and lovable, rather than as a gimmick. Not only is the film shot beautifully, but the plot and character are just so interesting that one is left wanting to watch it over again with somebody new. I would definitely recommend it to all of my friends and family. If not for the cinematography, moving themes, plot, and characters, then for the references and appearance of Bryan Adams which is just funny.

bostonfilmfan A soldier chased by the enemy while on a military mission finds himself in an insane asylum, meets a slightly insane but charming girl and by the end of the film decides to join the ranks of the asylum patients, to escape the insane world at war. I am not describing the plot of House of Fools, but of a 1966 French film Le Roi de Coeur (King of Hearts).A kind and loving and slightly crazy girl falls in love with someone who deceives her, but despite the bitter disappointment, smiles at people through her tears. I am not describing House of Fools", but Nights of Cabiria.A kind and loving girl lives in terrible conditions, but music and singing help her to escape from reality. During her escape sessions from the most tragic moments of her life she imagines people around her singing and smiling. And yet again, I am not talking about House of Fools, I am talking about Dancer in the Dark.A colorful gang of crazy characters of every possible kind, of which the most colorful one is a Rubenesque lady with a strong personality was not invented by A. Konchalovsky, either. (I am sorry, but this idea belongs to the late Maestro Fellini.) Even the song that is used to make a statement throughout the film was borrowed from Don Juan de Marco. The Spanish dancers just had to come along with the song, too.One is surprised at the amount of allusions. In fact there are so many "allusions" (or shall we call them "borrowings"?) that nothing original is left when you peel this "onion". It is a bad film despite strong cinematography and acting.

KGB-Greece-Patras Not actually a spoiler, just a hint of how the film starts actually...*POSSIBLE SPOILER* It's a house of the mentally ill somewhere in a forest of Chechenia. Then there's war between Chechens and russians. Doctors go away only to get back a few days later. The mentally ill (well, most of them) can't understand what's happening and go on with their daily life, free of barriers, since no doctors are around. *END OF SPOILER* I don't want to go on about what happens next. That's not the point anyway. This film has great photography/cinematography & technics. But there's so much more. It's full of deep understanding of human soul, lust for life, deep meanings delivered in simple ways, great accordion music, feelings, ingrowing sarcasm and thought provoking humour. This is not one more anti-war film. Actually we get to see very little 'war', and even this ain't no Saving private Ryan. And how wrong is to compare this film with any anti-war film except perhaps Apocalypse now! One more thing. What's the thing with that reviewer who thought it was strange for a Russian filmmaker to make a "pro-Chechen", as he indicates, film? Hello? There are people who CAN think regardlessly the nation they were born? But what am I saying? You speak of up to what you can understand... I recommend this beautiful film to everyone!

Andrew I really don't understand what all the hype is about. The fact that this movie is weird, i can handle, but the fact that it carries absolutely no point is what bothers me. The whole nuthouse concept is grosely overplayed, and the acting is spotty at best. Camerawork is too shifty and annoying, and the philosophical discussions in the movie are rather pointless, plus the movie is extremely pro-Chechen, which i found rather weird, seeing as it is the work of a Russian director. And it isnt like i might have missed something in translation - i know russian, so i didnt even bother reading the english subtitles. Overall, it just looks more like a work of a sophomore film student, than something that should be getting screen time in the theaters. 3/10