House of Fools

2003

House of Fools

Critics Consensus

House of Fools has a potentially intriguing fact-based story to tell, but an insensitive approach to depicting mental illness undermines its effectiveness.

41%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 49

82%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 2,883
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Movie Info

War brings together a disillusioned soldier and a sweet but delusional woman in this romantic comedy-drama from director Andrei Konchalovsky. A small Russian mental hospital near the border of Chechnya is home to a group of eccentric but harmless patients, among them Janna (Julia Vysotsky), a cheerful woman who likes to play accordion and is convinced pop singer Bryan Adams is her fiancé; over-excitable Vika (Marina Politseymako); and highly prolific would-be poet Ali (Stanislav Varkki). When fighting between Russians and Chechens flares up and bombing threatens the hospital, the doctor in charge (Vladas Bagdonas) goes out to find vehicles to evacuate his patients, briefly leaving them to their own devices. While the doctor is away, a group of Chechen soldiers happen upon the hospital, but they seemingly mean no harm to the patients, and one of them, Ahmed (Sultan Islamov), starts flirting with Janna. Janna quickly falls head over heels for Ahmed, and leaves behind her treasured Bryan Adams poster to be with him...though in her mind, Adams isn't about to give up her affections without a fight. As love grows between them, Ahmed finds himself wondering just who is supposed to be sane -- the lunatics at the hospital, or the soldiers fighting a pointless war. Bryan Adams appears as himself in Dom Durakov, and sings several songs, including his international hit "Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman."

Cast

Yulia Visotskaya
as Janna
Sultan Islamov
as Ahmed
Vladas Bagdonas
as Doctor
Bryan Adams
as Himself
Yevgeny Mironov
as Officer
Stanislav Varkki
as Ali
Elena Fomina
as Lucy
Marina Politseymako
as Vika
Rasmi Dzhabrailov
as Makhmud
Vladimir Fedorov
as Karlusha
Anatoliy Adoskin
as Fucue
Georgy Ovakimyan
as Goga
Ruslan Naurbiev
as Vakhid
Cecelia Thomson
as Lithuanian Sharpshooter
Tigranui Chakrian
as Karapetovna
Margarita Zykova
as Baba Vera
Jonas Baublis
as Bibika
Viktoras Baublis
as Buka
Anatoly Zhuravlev
as Boxer
Alexander Seleznev
as Feodor the Drunk
Magomed Zurabov
as Afgani
Ibragim Bekov
as Yusouff
Temerlan Dzeitov
as Askhab
Denis Nadtochi
as Vitek the Male Nurse
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Critic Reviews for House of Fools

All Critics (49) | Top Critics (20) | Fresh (20) | Rotten (29)

View All Critic Reviews (49)

Audience Reviews for House of Fools

  • Mar 23, 2013
    Tears down convention while simultaneously indulging clichés and ultimately pushing the line so far as to blur it completely.
    Jason 123 D Super Reviewer
  • Jan 26, 2010
    I don't understand the naysayers reviewing this film. It is quite the interesting slice of life and who would expect...Bryan Adams playing a cameo in a Russian film?
    John B Super Reviewer
  • Jan 20, 2009
    A Russian docu-drama that's intriguing for a number of reasons, not the least of which is the BEAUTIFUL and talented Yuliya Vysotskaya. Plus, it's a true story. And it's got Bryan Adams (yes, THAT Bryan Adams!).
    Randy T Super Reviewer
  • Mar 29, 2008
    Excellent! The movie does present an interesting point of view during a war that almost no one considers: the people living in an asylum. In this case, we have a young and pretty girl that's convinced that she's Bryan Adams's girlfriend, and that has to take over the situation of all the inmates taking over the asylum, while a war's growing outside their beloved building. The script is magnificently written, with wonderful and loveable characters. The performances are convincing, and the edition and photography are great. It's a tragic and ironic tale, yet very human and sweet at the same time.
    Liolia K Super Reviewer
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