Housesitter (1992)

39% of critics liked it
(18 reviews)
46% of users liked it
(39,013 ratings)

In this romantic comedy from director Frank Oz, Steve Martin plays Boston architect Newton Davis, an impulsive dreamer who builds a bucolic dream home for his girlfriend (Dana Delany) as a means of proposing to her -- only she turns him down. Three months later, the depressed Davis meets a waitress… More In this romantic comedy from director Frank Oz, Steve Martin plays Boston architect Newton Davis, an impulsive dreamer who builds a bucolic dream home for his girlfriend (Dana Delany) as a means of proposing to her -- only she turns him down. Three months later, the depressed Davis meets a waitress who calls herself Gwen (Goldie Hawn), though pretending to be Hungarian proves to be only the first of her many deceptions. Davis has a one-night stand with Gwen during which he tells her the sad story of the house, which remains unoccupied just outside the city in his hometown of Dobbs Mills, because he can't bear to sell it. Following what seems to be a familiar path for this con artist, Gwen locates the house, figuring she can take up residence without anyone noticing. During a trip to the local grocery, she ends up telling the proprietor she's Davis' wife while trying to charge her purchases to his account. When she offers the same story to a local furniture dealer (Donald Moffat), unaware he's Davis' father, it triggers a string of fabrications in which the shocked Davis unwittingly becomes a co-conspirator. Seeing an opportunity of his own, Davis allows Gwen to stay in the house and agrees to go along with her story in hopes of winning back his jealous ex. Of course, this also necessitates outlandish lie upon outlandish lie, leaving the whole enterprise forever on the verge of collapse. ~ Derek Armstrong, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 42 min.
Directed By: Frank Oz
Genres: Drama, Romance, Comedy

In Theaters: Jun 12, 1992 Wide
On DVD: Jul 21, 1998
Studio: MCA Universal Home Video

Critic Reviews

Fred Topel, About.com
Boring comedy. Nothing happens for about 40 minutes, then a few lies are cute, but the obvious love story is unsatisfying.
Cherryl Dawson and Leigh Ann Palone, TheMovieChicks.com
Likeable movie, great house.

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

Alexis N

I love Steve Martin and Goldie Hawn, I think I always say that, but I loved the cast. Anyway, this movie so so cute, so funny, so charming and a bit romantic. It's just entertaining from start to finish.
Tim S

Pssh.
Candy R

Steve and Goldie are hilarious. Goldie just moves into Steve's house and life.
xGary X

Steve Martin. Goldie Hawn. Do you really need to know any more? I didn't completely hate it, but if that's the best you can say about something...?
Andrew F

I liked it. It was really clever. Goldie Hawn is hilarious. I liked Steve Martin too. Weird fact: Frank Oz directed this. He is the voice of Yoda. Weird...
Sunil J

One of the only romantic comedies based on lies that I ever enjoyed. Goldie Hawn has never been more amazing and this movie is just adorable since I was a kid. Such really great chemistry.
Matthew L

I have seen this movie about a half dozen times and every time I laugh. There is just something about Steve Martin and Goldie Hawn together that makes any movie funny. This one is genius directed by Frank Oz and is full of funny scenes. Hawn is great as the compulsive liar/con artist… More
I have seen this movie about a half dozen times and every time I laugh. There is just something about Steve Martin and Goldie Hawn together that makes any movie funny. This one is genius directed by Frank Oz and is full of funny scenes. Hawn is great as the compulsive liar/con artist and Martin is the icing on the cake!
Sarah B

I just love Goldie Hawn.
Lee K

funny movie worth a watch

Read all 9 featured audience ratings

Cast

            Steve Martin as Newton Davis

            Goldie Hawn as Gwen

            Dana Delany as Becky

            Julie Harris as Edna Davis

            Donald Moffat as George Davis

            Peter MacNicol as Marty

            Richard B. Shull as Ralph

            Laurel Cronin as Mary

            Roy Cooper as Moseby

            Christopher Durang as Reverend Lipton

            Heywood Hale Broun as Travis

            Cherry Jones as Patty

            Vasek Simek as Karol

            Suzanne Whang as Moseby's Secretary

            Mary Klug as Lorraine

            Alice Duffy as Hazel

            Ken Cheeseman as Harv

            Grenville Cuyler as Party Guest

            Hazel Gardner as Mother with Stroller

            Molly D. Gerard as Party Guest

            Phyllis Jubett Gould as Dobb's Mill Pedestrian

            David Hannegan as Party Guest

            George Jones as Restaurant Guest

            Patricia Madden as China Shop Proprietor

            Edward Mason as Party Guest

            Moira J. McCarthy as Restaurant Guest

            Belle McDonald as Aunt Betty

            Bill L. McDonald as Uncle Ray

            Michael Nurse as Dedication Ceremony Speaker

            Kevin O'Brien as Caterer Truck Driver

            Howe F. Perrigo as Bus Person

            Ricardo Pitts-Wiley as Bus Driver

            Rose-Ann San Martino as Shopkeeper

            Maggie Steig as Party Guest

            Tony V. as Bus Driver

            John Lyons
            
See full cast

Trailers & Clips

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