Home Fries (1998) User Reviews (91)

What does it want to be--black comedy or romantic comedy?

[Hermit C-2 · 6/10 · 5 January 2000]

This looks like a case of a classic schizophrenic Hollywood movie--too dark-humored for fans of romantic comedy, not nearly outrageous enough for those looking for that quality. (You may get a little nervous, though, when a shotgun-wielding character walks into a fast-food restaurant full of kids.) Consequently it will end up alienating a lot of viewers looking for the one type of film or the other. Most of the characters aren't very enjoyable to watch, with the noted exception of Drew Barrymore in the lead. I was disappointed that Catherine O'Hara's part wasn't any better--she could have really livened the movie up if her character had been a little more forceful.

Despite all the problems, there was still something left to like here, and I would give it a positive recommendation, but just barely. On second thought, recommending this movie to someone would be a risky proposition, but I thought that overall it was marginally successful.

A Cute Black Romantic Comedy?

[great_sphinx_42 · 5/10 · 9 June 1999]

How does that work? Well. . .it does, and it doesn't. It's kind of strange, because this movie wasn't terribly complicated, but I'm still not sure what to make of it. So here's my tentative review: it's weird in a weird way. I mean, there are funny weird movies, and fun weird movies, and disgusting weird movies, and experimental weird movies, and mindless weird movies- and "Home Fries" is somehow none of those, either by an inch or by a mile. It's worth watching, don't get me wrong, but my feelings on this movie are uncharacteristically ambiguous. Drew is great, of course- she almost always is. I grew up in a tiny, Southern town, so I can vouch that the atmosphere seemed authentic. Luke Wilson is a charmingly unusual hero. Catherine O'Hara is funny as his psycho mother, and the Busey kid chews the scenery with both gusto and some amazing choppers, each obviously inherited from his dad. Some of the dialogue was really good, and there was a lot about this flick that was nicely understated. But overall...well, I occasionally get the urge to watch it again (because I like strange movies, and "Home Fries" is possessed of a strangeness I've never quite seen before,) but it certainly won't wear out before most of my other tapes. That, I guess, is the simplest and most honest review I can give it.

Charming Characters can't save a dark script. ** out of ****

[Movie-12 · 5/10 · 23 April 1999]

"Home Fries" has an intriguing cast, with such talents as the always charming Drew Barrymore and her real-life love interest Luke Wilson, Catherine O'Hara from "Home Alone," Jake Busey and Shelley Duvall. However, the positive things going for the movie end there, for there isn't an adequate script to pull the characters though: it is almost if this movie is nothing more than a smart character study.

The plot is very complicated. And to top things off and make it harder for the filmmakers to succeed in the movie, it is all done as a comedy. The trick is to movies like this is to go way over the top in the black humor, like "Clay Pigeons" and "Fargo" did. But the filmmakers just don't do that here, and I felt like they were virtually holding something back from us, resulting in a starkly, unfunny film.

For example, in a particular sequence when the drunken father of Sally takes the Burger joint hostage, there isn't enough comic material to make that relevant to the rest of the movie. You see, the whole concept of the ex-husband coming back for revenge isn't really funny, and doesn't have much propose to the rest of the film. The filmmakers think it is funny enough that the man is very drunk, and that he has at gunpoint Dorian dressed in a robot suite as the mascot for Burger Matic for a children's birthday party. Believe it or not, it isn't funny.

There is some humor that does work well. For instance, there are scenes where Mrs. Lever fakes tears when talking about her dead husband, whom she ordered to be done with. She screams loudly and annoyingly, all in a very black manner. Now, that is kind of funny. But most of the movies comic elements are original, but too dark to laugh at.

I really liked the characters in "Home Fries," that were colorful and entertaining. If only the story had enough potential in it to support them. I also like the energetic and fast paced ending, but lets face it, we've traveled down this road before, with much more success.

An Extremely Funny and Original Movie. A must see.

[tarantinoboy · 24 September 1998]

Telling you the plot would kinda take away some of the suprising charm of this movie. Basically, the Drew Barrymore character is supposed to be killed by the son of the dead man she was sleeping with. But the guy starts to like her. There are several other twists thrown into the story. The screenplay by Vince Gilligan of the X-Files is unpredictable and the dialogue isn't stale like in so many other Hollywood films. Great performances by all.

Fried the TV.

[OllieSuave-007 · 3/10 · 4 March 2014]

This alleged comedy-drama-romance movie has Drew Barrymore playing a pregnant Sally Jackson, who falls for Dorian Montier (Luke Wilson), the stepson of the unborn baby's deceased father. Realizing the infidelity, the deceased man's wife, Beatrice Lever (Catherine O'Hara), sends her sons Angus (Jake Bussey) and Dorian to scare him up a bit, indirectly leading to him succumbing to a heart attack. Things get a little out of hand when Sally is mixed in with the chaotic mess.

The story is as ridiculous as it sounds and the tasteless plot is only exacerbated by the awful and moronic acting. There is really nothing interesting about this film, except that Barrymore attempts to have a good portrayal of her character. It's OK to pass on this one.

Grade D--

Now that's bad! (jaw hanging open...)

[onepotato2 · 1/10 · 4 February 2006]

Let us now meditate on this thing known as "the crappy movie." We'll just skip the "medium-crappy-movie," which Hollywood provides every week, in deference to its big brother "the seriously, atrociously crappy movie"; the kind of movie that leaves you in a state of wonderment, which then becomes the bewildered lobby conversation that follows the question, "What the hell were they thinking?" as you walk numb to your car.

To find some way to pay this heinous movie a compliment, it IS amazing that something can issue from Hollywood that hasn't been written by a machine and measured against a checklist for absolute genre conformity, however...

House Fries is an awesomely terrible movie. Let's start with the basics. The movie was fished to audiences as a standard vehicle to sell you the charms of two young actors. In this case, Drew Barrymore and Luke Wilson. Although the preview suggested a romantic comedy, you'll be damned if you can actually name what this baroque, convoluted excresence is.

Catherine O'Hara has her two military helicopter-pilot sons buzz her cheating husband to scare him, for cheating on her with Drew Barrymore. The husband is successfully scared (to death) and Drew Barrymore (coincidence #1) is an earwitness through her headset at a burger joint. Lady Macbeth (O'Hara) puts Luke Wilson into action to see what Drew knows. Along the way Drews Burger joint hosts a crazy gunman incident that might turn out like the McDonalds at San Yisidro, but all ends well when he turns out to be Drews own trashy dad (coincidence #2). That's comedy gold! I don't think I'm even twenty minutes into the movie. It continues in this vein. This movie jumps it's tracks and skids along lawns and sidewalks crushing cotton candy vendors and baby carts. This movie may actually dethrone "Nothing But Trouble" in the bad movie category as the worst thing ever committed to film.

Catherine O'Hara or Jake Busey get my vote as the most awful of many heinous elements in the movie. She's a comedy-troupe veteran trying to play a paranoid dramatic role, or maybe it's just a massively failed comedy role.

Although the absurd developments and coincidences that occur here suggest a governmental (or at least military-level scandal), the movie plays them all out in TV movie of the week, would-be dramatic, living-room vignettes. Suffice it to say, Home Fries is not a comedy, and it does not operate at the level, genre or volume which it's folksy, corn-pone title suggests.

You are likely to get as much enjoyment from following a sick dog down a street until the dog provides you with an opportunity to step in something nasty.

Drew Needs To Be More Discerning With Her Scripts

[ccthemovieman-1 · 3/10 · 13 December 2007]

Drew Barrymore is cute and she has her loyal fans but, man, this woman makes so many lame movies. To her credit, some of her movies, like "Ever After," are nice films - no language problems and a film the family could safely watch which certainly is opposite of her wild, earlier days when she was exposing herself on the David Letterman show, and other incidents. Barrymore has since played a few more of those nice characters, so I am not knocking her. It's just that so many of her films are "Lifetime" cable TV Grade B chick flicks. This one, however - be warned - is a much darker film than advertised. It's not exactly the sweet romance story you might think.

What hurt this movie, in my opinion, wasn't Barrymore so much as it was Luke Wilson. Is there a dumber looking face in Hollywood than his? I'm sorry but with that dumb expression I cannot buy him as an "intelligent" person as he is supposed to be in this story. Of course, the filmmakers deliberately had him making these goofy faces, which is confusing if he is supposed to come across as someone with brains. He doesn't look it, nor does the script make this an intelligent film, either. It's supposed to be a comedy but you tell me how many laughs you got watching the first 45 minutes in here? I didn't get many, if any, and by then had lost interest.

Hopefully, Drew will have better luck finding more intelligent scripts in the future, or at least stories with a plot to them!

This Movie Is Much Better than the Marketing of it would have you Believe.

[leechco · 7/10 · 2 August 2000]

I just caught this movie on cable, this was the first time I saw it. I remember seeing the adverts for it and thinking it looked mildly interesting, but that it was a piece of romantic comedy fluff that I could wait and rent or something and watch at home without inflicting $20 in movie tickets and an evening of "Chick Flick" on my Husband. BOY! I wish I'd slipped a tape in, cause he would've loved it!!! It was definitely a movie worth full admission in a theatre. The Marketing Department, apparently didn't watch the movie, they sold it all wrong.

I have noticed an increasing trend in that direction, I've skipped some because the marketing made them look AWFUL only to find out they were real gems.

If you are in the mood for skillful mix of mystery, romantic comedy, and dark humour then I strongly recommend you rent this movie, or catch it on Cable.

Overrated. It's actually wooden and clichéd, and artificially dark.

[bopdog · 5/10 · 24 August 1999]

Home Fries isn't a bad movie, but it did seem to be overrated by the critics. It seems that adding a bit of a dark vibe into any kind of interpersonal situation makes a critic sometimes reflexively jump and shout-- Realism! Art! Well, avoiding a spoiler here, I hope, let me say that clever writing and directing can sometimes result in clichéd movies. I think it does here. The film smacks of string pulling, and attempted button pushing. That is, I felt as if the movie's makers were employing devices and schemata designed to evoke a response in me, rather than somehow letting the characters, the story, the movie itself unfold and tell its own story. Thus, the whole of Home Fries came across as a little wooden and fake; it was unsatisfying for me. I wasn't enrolled in most of it, and to the extent I did involve myself here and there, it was rather unpleasant. And I swear-- I really like the cast in other things. They're great actors, but simply came a cropper here. I gave it a 5.

Black comedy with a little sugar thrown in

[ArizWldcat · 7/10 · 30 July 2002]

This was a black comedy that unfolded over the first 30 minutes of the film, revealing one surprise relationship after another, until you realize that all the major characters are related in surprising ways. My daughter and I watched this together and laughed out loud quite a bit. Luke Wilson did a great job as the moony eyed helicopter pilot who falls for Drew's character. Drew did a good job as a confused but sweet pregnant girl who works at a burger joint in somewhere in small town America. Jake Busey looks a whole lot like his dad, and chewed a lot of furniture for this role, which was rather one dimensional. Catherine O'Hara is at her best playing this quirky mom. (during one funny scene, the older boy asks her if it's true that she liked the other son better..."I love you both, she says, but the difference is only this (puts her fingers an inch apart) much!LOL!!!) If you don't enjoy dark humor, this will not amuse you. It also had an ending that made us go "awww"...it was almost as if they weren't sure how to end this one, though. Overall, it wasn't a bad film.

Give This Movie A 2nd Chance!!!

[Fred-86 · 4/10 · 11 June 1999]

When I first went to the theater and seen this movie, last Thanksgiving, I about died. I expected a normal Drew Barrymore movie with her everlasting magic. What I got was a weird, black "brain-teaser" comedy. I about had a fit! I could not stand the movie, it was horrible. But come to find out, I just didn't understand it. So this weekend I rented it. And guess what! I liked it! It is just one of those movies that is a whole lot better the second time around. You have to sit through it once, and then watch it again. So all of you who hated this movie the first time like I did, watch it again! You won't regret it!

completely original

[Thats_MISTER_Paz_to_you · 8/10 · 13 December 1998]

I thought this movie was absolutely fabulous. Nothing at all like the trailer suggests (which is EXTREMELY rare nowadays) Go see it, Drew Barrymore and Luke Wilson are great.

Enjoyable Romantic/Comedy/Action movie!

[imyorehuckleberry · 7/10 · 21 April 2003]

This movie with Luke Wilson (brother of Owen Wilson) & Drew Barrymore is very enjoyable. While it was promoted as a Romantic Comedy, it should be noted that this has a darker comedic theme with some action sequences. If you were looking for a Meg Ryan/Tom Hanks movie, reset your expectations and rent this one anyways. It is a very enjoyable, fun movie.

awkward and not quite working

[SnoopyStyle · 5/10 · 3 September 2015]

Henry Lever tells pregnant burger drive-thru girl Sally Jackson (Drew Barrymore) that he told his wife but it doesn't impress her. On the drive home, he encounters a military helicopter. Pilot Angus Montier (Jake Busey) scares him to death despite his brother Dorian (Luke Wilson)'s protest. The brothers and Sally's radio get crossed up at the same frequency. The brothers are actually Henry's wife Beatrice Lever (Catherine O'Hara)'s boys. They start to worry and Dorian gets a job at the burger place to investigate if anybody understands what they heard.

It tries to be quirky. Drew Barrymore is adorable. Luke Wilson has the boyish looks. However something is off. It's a black comedy without laughs. It's awkward and not cute. It starts with using an attack helicopter to scare a guy to death. It's threatening and unreal. It tries to be funny but it's not working for me.

This movie was marketed so wrong...

[jnazaroff · 26 November 2000]

Home Fries is a fantastic movie, but the marketing scheme behind it all had little bearing in regard to the actual movie. If you saw the trailers or commercials, you'd have thought the movie was a romantic comedy. The relationship between Luke Wilson and Drew Barrymore's characters plays only a small part in plot, and even then it's not the type of interaction you'd see in a romantic comedy.

This flick is pure dark humor. The near-incestuous relationship existing between Dorian's brother and mother is both odd and extremely amusing. It's definitely not the type of movie you'd expect to see from the way it's been presented. Kudos to the casting director. Each part was cast extremely well.

Sloppy.

[Peach-2 · 4/10 · 7 April 1999]

I thought this film was terribly sloppy. It had a great plot idea but seemed like a small independent picture with a big Hollywood finale. I expected more and got less. Drew Barrymore was fine in the film, the rest of the cast couldn't even compare. Avoid.

Borrrring

[ShortCuteBlonde · 1/10 · 22 September 2002]

what a boring movie, this was probably, actually yes it was the worst drew barrymore movie i have ever seen, it was so poorly acted and predictable and just boring in every which way possible, i hated this movie and i hope none of you have to go through the pain i did of watching this movie

Such A Shame.

[famousgir1 · 3/10 · 8 September 2001]

Home Fries stars one of my favourite actress' Drew Barrymore, but not even she can save this boring movie. The story had potential and that could of been made in to a good movie but it just wasn't. Still, as usual Drew Barrymore does a good job, so she made the movie at least a little bit enjoyable. Luke Wilson is okay here too. I'll give Home Fries 3/10.

Great performances in this quirky comedy.

[pgula · 7/10 · 4 December 1998]

What a nice surprise this movie was, unfortunately it will probably get lost among all the HOLIDAY movies this Christmas. Drew Barrymore gives a winning performance - she co-stars here with her real-life boyfriend Luke Wilson , who has great charm and I predict will eventually become a big time leading man. (If he chooses to go that way - from the IMDB registry though it looks like he is choosing to stick with indies) Although these are two very good performances the movie is STOLEN by Catherine O'Hara as the mother of Luke's character. She is absolutely hilarious in a supporting role. Oscar take note! It would be unfair to give away any of the plot of this movie as that is its greatest charm- just go see it!

Extremely disappointing

[@home · 1/10 · 8 February 1999]

When I first saw previews for this movie, I thought it would be a nice romantic comedy. So I went to see it, but it is totally not! It's about some psycho family who kills people for the heck of it! Save yourself the trouble, and do not see it.

Mis-marketed, yet enjoyable movie

[Ferrick · 7/10 · 19 April 1999]

I am lucky that I saw this movie. The way they marketed it in the previews and commercials when it was in theatrical release made it seem like another typical "romantic comedy." That is an understatement, to say the least. This movie, while not groundbreaking, was definitely fun. I loved that it was different, unusual, and quirky. The humor was definitely dark (kind of like Heathers) and this will turn a lot of people off, especially since it was purported to be light.

Although I was reluctant to rent this movie (the first 10 minutes made me think it was going to be really dumb, like it was trying to do more than it should for this type of movie), I was soon swayed by the quirks, the smart dialogue and the interwoven plot. This movie is not an award winner and I wouldn't recommend it to a lot of people, but not because it is bad but because it is a matter style. Some will laugh, some will cry.

Slightly better than watching moss grow.

[alva · 1/10 · 2 December 1998]

I'm usually not such a harsh critic however if it weren't for the fact that my date wanted to see this movie I'd a walked out after the first 15 minutes. The film should've gone through several rewrites because the premise was definitely intriguing and original but the film was just not happening. If you're a Drew Barrymore fan she is the only redeeming part of this film with her charming smile and back-o-the-woods accent.

An interesting, unique movie with entertaining ideas.

[navyfrog · 8/10 · 5 January 1999]

I had gone to see this movie because I really enjoy Drew Barrymore's acting. I ended up liking more than just Drew's part though. I thought it was a unique movie with just the right amount of humour - keeping it far from slapstick, but generated a light atmosphere that kept everyone level with the innocence of it all. I'd definitely recommend this movie to anyone with an open mind and a sense of humour.

Story is ridiculous but Barrymore does well

[ipswich-2 · 6/10 · 2 June 2000]

This is an off-beat comedy with a slightly ridiculous plot that is saved by the fine acting of several actors such as Drew Barrymore as the FastFood countergirl who unwittingly lets herself get taken advantage of, and Catherine O'Hara as the betrayed and psychotic wife out to gain revenge on her cheating husband. Barrymore is in her element here, playing the sweet and winsome girl-next-door who wins the heart of the son of her unfaithful lover. The characters here are so neurotic they are never realistic. But this is a love story with a charming ending. Suspend your disbelief, and wither down your expectations to enjoy this movie.

home fries

[Nitriside · 1/10 · 2 May 1999]

This has got to be the most horrible movie Drew has ever done, the plot was so bad I had to turn it off after 45 mins. I can't figure out why people love this movie. Who ever made this movie please don't make anymore like this.... PLEASE.