House of Cards (1992)
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63% of critics liked it
(8 reviews) -
66% of users liked it
(4,031 ratings)
In Michael Lessac's lugubrious House of Cards, women's intuition beats out psychology in the battle against autism. The story begins in Mexico, where a little girl named Sally Matthews (Asha Menina) lives with her parents, scientists studying ancient ruins. When her father falls to his… More In Michael Lessac's lugubrious House of Cards, women's intuition beats out psychology in the battle against autism. The story begins in Mexico, where a little girl named Sally Matthews (Asha Menina) lives with her parents, scientists studying ancient ruins. When her father falls to his death, Sally is comforted by a Mayan mystic that tells Sally her father has gone to the moon. When Sally, her mother Ruth (Kathleen Turner), and her brother Michael (Shiloh Strong) return home to North Carolina, Sally begins to retreat into autism. She first stares silently at the night sky. Then she shrieks when Ruth wears a baseball cap the wrong way. Finally she develops the habit of scaling the roof of the house and other tall structures. This makes Ruth realize that there is something seriously wrong, and she takes her to see Dr. Jacob Beerlander, a psychiatrist who is an expert in autism. As Sally retreats more and more into herself, Beerlander and Ruth clash over the scientific approach versus the intuition of a mother. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi
- Directed By
- Michael Lessac
- Written By
- Michael Lessac
- Genres
- Drama
- In Theaters
- Jun 1, 1992 Wide
- On DVD
- Mar 2, 1999
- Studio
- Live Home Video
Critic Reviews
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Clint Morris, Moviehole
Two-grand performances
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Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
A stunning and compelling exploration of the power of the imaginal world--the nonverbal realm of dreams and imagery.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Featured Audience Ratings
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Cast
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Kathleen Turner
as Ruth Matthews
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Tommy Lee Jones
as Dr. Jake Beerlander
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Asha Menina
as Sally Matthews
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Shiloh Strong
as Michael Matthews
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Esther Rolle
as Adelle
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Park Overall
as Lillian Huber
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Michael Horse
as Stoker
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Anne Pitoniak
as Judge
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John Bennes
as Taxi Driver
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Joaquín Martínez
as Selord
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Nick Searcy
as Construction Driver
- Mali Finn
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John Henderson
as Bart Huber
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Jacqueline Cassell
as Joey's Mother
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Craig Fuller
as Roy Huber
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Rick Marshall
as Frank Stearson
