Norsehorse's Old Home Turf

Our House

An Original Hallmark Channel Television Movie

Reviewed by Morgan W. Brown
Tuesday, March 14, 2006

When Ruth Galloway attempts suicide after the death of her husband, a chance encounter with Billy, a homeless woman who rescues Ruth from a pill overdose, helps each woman discover a life worth living.

Ruth is intrigued by Billy, whose life is vastly different from her own. Although Billy is at first resistant to accepting aid, she eventually opens up and helps Ruth understand — just as Goyen understood— that many of the homeless are regular people who merely have fallen on hard times or endured crippling personal tragedies. To the dismay of her daughter and neighbors, Ruth is inspired by Billy and opens up the mansion to many more who are homeless.

Stars: Doris Roberts and Judy Reyes

[via Hallmark Channel: Our House]

Our House Review Audioblog Post - Part 1:

Photo: Morgan W. Brown (taken during the Spring of 2005); click here to view enlargement

Having watched the film four times so far, my general impressions of it include the observation that -- while the story is centered on two main characters who appear to be as different from each other as different can possibly be and, therefore one is left to wonder how they could ever manage to have a reasonable opportunity to meet, let alone cross the unbridgeable gap laying between the both of them -- the truth of the matter is they have more in common than not.

All this would then seem to provide credence to a view of it as being nothing more than pure fiction and dramatic female fantasy; yet another classic chick flick, with at least one or two heroines along with weaker or villainous males.

There is a good reason however for the saying you cannot judge a book by its cover and, to my way of thinking anyway, this particular movie provides another example of why this is so.

The real story of Our House is *not* to be found in the all too seemingly obvious differences between the two lead female characters, extreme examples as they are, nor is it really about wealth or poverty -- at least not in terms of either income or of housing or the lack thereof.

There will of course be those inclined to point out how the movie is about a wealthy widow living in a mansion and a poor young woman living on the streets whose eating habits include dumpster diving and, therefore, with immense differences between them; even the promotional materials hyping the movie seem to set the tone for making these assumptions.

While it is true that these are indeed the basic roles the characters play to set up a portion of the plot, the real story is not defined by these superficial roles however; rather it is based upon what they have in common with each other, as well as what is the actual premise the movie is centered upon -- from which everything else revolves.

Making a list of each of the commonalities they share would not only fall short, it would also miss the point by miles.

The difference or, rather the challenge, in how one may view this film or its characters and determining what it is all about has a lot more to do with what one chooses to focus upon: i.e., whether it be on what appears to be obvious negative traits and flaws as well as then the need to fix or reject such; or, potentially harder to define and categorize, the positive aspects and strengths of an individual, as well as then having the willingness to accept the person for whom they are, even if this may not always include certain of a person's deed(s) as part of that acceptance.

Our House Review Audioblog Post - Part 2:

With that said, for better or for worse, the axle from which everything else within the film turns -- what it is truly about and centered upon -- is one of relationships.

Even if the lives and circumstances of its characters are complex, the film is not.

The key to understanding and appreciating this particular movie and what it has to offer, at least in my opinion, is being open to the somewhat subtle moral tale conveyed of how crucial relationships are, yet at the same time how fragile they can easily prove to be; especially when relationships, particularly those shared with the people closest to our lives, are taken for granted and not always well maintained or nourished.

As important though, another of the lessons to be learned include how having of lots wealth, power and prestige, as well as huge spacious trophy houses that often goes along with the same, is never a guarantee -- nor is it a solid foundation on which to establish or build on alone -- meaningful and enduring relationships: e.g., some of the relationships between certain of the characters living homeless are stronger as well as more meaningful and lasting than what is enjoyed by those with the more well to do roles; maybe no better, but certainly no worse.

From this it can be taken that on one hand, relationships really have not too much to do with the housing status of an individual or family. Yet, one the other hand, having a house from with which to build and grow a home of one's own can help make a difference in a variety of ways: i.e., it is not enough to simply have a house; one needs healthy, mutual relationships to have a home and the sense of community, dignity and humanity derived from these.

Our House is a compelling patch quilt of stories, not all of which have been completely spelled out or told within the short two hours it will air (actual length: 1 hour and 28 minutes +/-), yet they were weaved together all the same.

In one fashion or another, the movie offers something of value for nearly anyone -- man, woman or child - to identify in; whether it be found on a personal level or something we recognize in someone known to us in any of the several characters or the circumstances and situations faced by them, individually and collectively.

On top of all this, considering there was a lot of ground work to be laid in the telling, the portrayals and interactions -- as well as the numerous conflicts -- are for the most part quite honest, including of people living homeless; relative snapshots and composites of such as is the case.

Thus Our House earns from yours truly a well deserved big thumbs up. This is indeed a film I highly recommend be watched in homes, community centers and classrooms of all types and sizes across the land.

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