Davalon-Davalon A friend gave us the option of several movies to view after he served Thanksgiving dinner. This was one. If I had stumbled upon this film on my own, I may have watched a bit of it, but I doubt whether I would have gotten all the way through it. Yes, as my friend said, it was a dark comedy. But I fear it was too dark. The film used as a centerpiece a woman (Parker Posey), mentally unbalanced, with a fixation on Jackie Kennedy (why they called her Jackie-O, I don't know since they were focused on the Jackie Kennedy the day that Jack Kennedy was assassinated) and her twin brother (Josh Hamilton). The story centers around this sick woman and her unwillingness to let her brother live a normal life. This includes destroying a new relationship with his fiancée (a refreshing Tori Spelling), insulting her kid brother (Freddie Prinze, Jr.) and faking out her mother, Genevieve Bujold. All the actors were good. The dialogue consisted of making statements and having other actors repeat the statements as questions or repeat the statements rephrased sarcastically. There were funny moments, no question. But, there was a fair amount of footage used of Jackie Kennedy and John Kennedy on the day of Kennedy's assassination in Dallas in 1963. What was disturbing was seeing the footage of the time period just shortly before John Kennedy was killed. I found it be deeply upsetting and I was not sure why it was necessary. This is NOT a Thanksgiving film. It is a very dark indie comedy to be viewed when you have NOTHING to do, and it is NOT the holiday season. Seeing it once is enough and you will not forget it. Whether that is a compliment or not, I will leave up to you.

wes-connors On Thanksgiving 1983, twenty years after US President John F. Kennedy's assassination, the wealthy Pascal family of Virginia prepare for a stormy reunion. Recently released from a psychiatric institution, attractive Parker Posey (as Jacqueline "Jackie O" Pascal) takes center stage. She remains there, for the most part. Arriving home is Ms. Posey's twin brother Josh Hamilton (as Marty). His surprise for the family is fiancée Tori Spelling (as Lesly), a donut shop clerk. She arouses attention from the twins' younger brother Freddie Prinze Jr. (as Anthony). We know there are going to be some serious sexual problems when family matriarch Genevieve Bujold tells Ms. Spelling her twins are so close, "Jackie's hand was holding Marty's penis when they came out of the womb."...As you'll see, she has a hard time letting go...Mark Waters took this story from Wendy MacLeod's play, without giving us many reasons why it shouldn't have remained there. The inserted footage of the real Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, whom Posey emulates, reveals the actress' hair and make-up are off the mark. The pink outfit with "pill box" hat is recognizable, though. Other than that, Posey offers an interesting but insensitive characterization. It is not impersonation and the association of President and Mrs. Kennedy with this family's insanity lacks depth. It's happenstance. The film is promoted as a comedy, with the quotes "Dark, Clever Comedy!" (GQ Magazine) and "Bitingly Funny!" (Elle) prominently featured. However, the film is not very funny. The comic aspects likely worked better in the stage production.**** The House of Yes (9/12/97) Mark Waters ~ Parker Posey, Josh Hamilton, Tori Spelling, Freddie Prinze Jr.

splambo100 To the folks that think Ms Spelling did not turn in a good performance-I disagree. I was pleased with the drama she showed. She was still a young actress and has of course improved with age, but she was lithe and active and in this film I noticed she has the most perfectly formed hands and forearms of any actress on film. Not sure why I noticed this but if you watch again, look for this. She should use this feature to full effect. She also has a bit of a striking profile and eyes, similar to some other famous actors on stage. She could use her eyes to show more emotion. She showed her range to more effect when she was showing concern for the other characters. Parker Posey, of course, was in her full glory in this performance. She showed great skill with the acting process. If you listen to the film without watching the action, you see that she uses her voice to great effect. She truly stole this show. Ms Bujold of course exhibits great range of craft, so great to see her always. To top off the show, there is a cameo by a young Rachael Lee Cook. Fine performances by the men. Overall unique experience!

jackshrack Very poor!I am very tired of these kinds of movies. They seem to be a reaction against Hollywood. And in the end these "independent" movies are just as trite and empty.The first 5 minutes are intriguing and comedic. Afterwards, you get the sense that it becomes more and more of a play. Which I am not sure that there is any purpose in filming a play. I would imagine that the play would be a lot better. With the psychological dimension, a play can bring the viewer to imagine more than a film. But to film basically a play, you get the least of both world, in my opinion. Unless it is done in a very original way, like dogville. This movie just seemed trite and transparent to me.