Review of Home Movie (2001) by Eric F — 25 Jul 2009

Chris Smith, who directed the great 1999 documentary, "American Movie", about an aspiring horror director from Wisconsin, returns to subjects who would be called "eccentric", to say the least, in "Home Movie". But, just like he did so so eloquently in "American Movie", he doesn't judge these people. Instead, he seems to be showing us "outcasts" who simply do what they love. His films are a full embrace on the individual, and both of these films show us people with tremendous creativity and vision. You may call them strange, but these are real people who are fully in touch with their dreams and desired way of living.

"Home Movie", running just over an hour in length, introduces us to five subjects who live in peculiar homes. Smith doesn't introduce himself to us, nor does he pry in any of his philosophy about these particular subjects. The film, instead, is simply an observation of how these people have adapted to meet their needs.

Bill Tregle lives in a houseboat in Louisiana, but it's not your typical houseboat. Perhaps "house-boat", is more appropriate, as it simply looks like a typical well-furnished home floating on water. He makes a living by selling alligators, and takes Smith along to some of the most beautiful sights the river has to offer.

Ed and Diana Pedan live in an underground missile silo that's been converted to a home. Not only do they have ample living space, but they're well equipped for a nuclear attack. Ed gives us a tour of his home by standing on an open field and claiming that his family room is below.

Bob Walker and Francis Mooney have given their home to their cats. It's been furnished with tunnels and walkways suspended from the ceiling - a sort of playhouse for the couple's eleven felines. No less a playhouse is the home of Ben Skora, who has a house familiar of an episode of Star Trek. Everything he owns is automatic, with rotating rooms and even a robot that brings him soda.

The last subject is Linda Beech, who achieved fame as a soap opera star in Japan despite not knowing much Japanese. She lives deep in a rain forest in Hawaii, far separated from society, in a gigantic treehouse. She has her own waterfall, and cannot fathom how people could live without one.

The homes here are obviously splendid to be taken through, but it's the people, not the houses, that are the stars of the film. They're all highly endearing, well-spirited, and passionate people that you would love to spend a weekend with. Just, you know, maybe not high in the trees of a secluded rain forest.