House of Fools (2002)

38% of critics liked it
(47 reviews)
79% of users liked it
(2,819 ratings)

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… More 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." ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 44 min.
Directed By: Andrey Konchalovskiy
Written By: Andrey Konchalovskiy
Genres: Drama, Art House & International, Comedy

In Theaters: Apr 25, 2003 Wide
On DVD: Oct 28, 2003
Studio: Paramount Classics

Critic Reviews

Jay Boyar, Orlando Sentinel
Vysotsky projects an essential sunniness that helps keep the film from turning maudlin.
Chris Vognar, Dallas Morning News
It ultimately feels like a folly that sounded great in the filmmaker's head, so great that he had to be put on screen, where it flounders around with no small degree of embarrassment.
Eleanor Ringel Gillespie, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
With its cast of nauseatingly lovable lunatics, House of Fools may make you feel like you've been tricked into suffering through the Kevin Spacey flick K-Pax with subtitles.
Carla Meyer, San Francisco Chronicle
Ruined from the start by its insulting depiction of mental illness.
Rex Reed, New York Observer
The misery I suffered in the Russian horror House of Fools, directed by the ridiculously overrated Andrei Konchalovsky, does deserve special scorn, but I don't have the stomach to rehash it.
Andrew Sarris, New York Observer
A kindly film with a generous heart beaming through the discordant rumblings of useless wars.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Tiresome!
Steve Schneider, Orlando Weekly
It's hard to dislike a movie that identifies Russian mental patients as Bryan Adams' core audience.
Marta Barber, Miami Herald
It may be based on a true story, but another filmmaker told it before -- and better.
Laura Kelly, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Janna, played with endearing toughness by Julia Vysotsky, is the heart of this film.
Jeff Vice, Deseret News, Salt Lake City
Unbelievably insensitive in its depiction of the mentally ill.
Cherryl Dawson and Leigh Ann Palone, TheMovieChicks.com
It's an odd mix to combine the harsh reality of war with the surreal world of mental patients. This makes for a bizarre movie, but it has some really tender moments.
Kim Linekin, eye WEEKLY
War is insane. Insane people are cute. Bryan Adams is God. There, now that you've got these three principles down, you don't need to see House of Fools.
David Elliott, San Diego Union-Tribune
Sub-Fellini nonsense.
Marjorie Baumgarten, Austin Chronicle
The use of Bryan Adams as the madwoman's imagined paramour is indicative of just how mediocre this movie is.
Frank Swietek, One Guy's Opinion
Too disjointed, derivative and stylistically clumsy to be much more than an irritant.
Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times
There's not much to Konchalovsky's tale ... but it's often beautifully told; a gentle fantasy of a harsh time.
Phil Villarreal, Arizona Daily Star
As Janna demonstrates, old assumptions and passions certainly die hard. And the worst is when they don't die at all.
William Arnold, Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Often trying and not wholly successful but highly ambitious and ultimately rewarding.

Read all 19 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Randy T

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!).
Ross C

A very cliched view of a mental hospital that happens to get caught up in the Russian-Chechen war. Occasionally amusing war humour and an impressive helicopter crash is all this movie has to offer.
Sunil J

Gross.