KRAZY HOUSE
(director/writer: Steffen Haars/Flip van der Kuil; cinematographer: Joris Kerbosch; editors: Flip Van der Kuil, René van Berge Henegouwen; music: Michiel Marsman; cast: Nick Frost (Bernie Christan), Alicia Silverstone (Eva), Kevin Connolly (Jesus), Jan Bijvoet (Piotr), Gaite Janses (Sarah), Walt Klink (Adam), Chris Peters (Dimitri), Matti Stooker (Igor), Jacob Derwig (Officer Janssen); Runtime: 86; MPAA Rating: NR; producer: Maarten Swart; Kaap Holland Film; 2024-Netherlands-in English & Dutch, with English subtitles)
“Nutty parody of American sitcoms.”
Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz
Dutch filmmakers Steffen Haar and Flip van der Kuil (“New Kids Nitro”/”Bro’s Before Ho’s”) co-direct and co-write this nutty parody of American sitcoms from the ’80s and ’90s. The pair grew up on American sit-com reruns and the ideal world they showcased.
The bumbling, well-meaning, devoted Christian, Bernie (Nick Frost), is a father who must defend his family (his wife Eva – Alicia Silverstone, son Adam-Walt Klink, daughter Sarah- Gaite Janses, and pet dog) from Russian criminals intent on stealing everything in their home. They could lose their home if he can’t stop them, as Bernie blindly relies on God’s help.
One Sunday morning Bernie lets in 3 Russian plumbers to fix a kitchen sink leak–Piotr (Jan Bijvoet) and his 2 sons Dimitri (Chris Peters) and Igor (Matti Stooker). They work into the night and roam all over the house. Officer Janssen (Jacob Derwig) pops in to see if everything is OK, as does their neighbor Jesus (Kevin Connolly).
The plumbers are finally revealed as wanted criminals and start tearing apart the house looking for an old hidden foot.
To stop the criminals, Bernie must renounce his belief in God and use bloody violent means to deal with the Russians.
The unhinged absurdist film relies on shocks. It’s a cult film that should play for its target audience at midnight shows.
It played at the Sundance Film Festival.
REVIEWED ON 2/10/2024 GRADE: C