Man of the House (2005)

Very very predictable, including the post credit scene !!!

Fantastic!

A lot more amusing than I thought it would be.

The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

From director Stephen Herek (Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure, 101 Dalmatians), this film is a little panned by the critics, and I was interested to see if the leading actor was indeed wasting his talent. Basically Texas ranger Roland Sharp (Tommy Lee Jones) is assigned to protect a group of cheerleaders after they witness the murder of Morgan Ball (Curtis Armstrong) who was to testify against crime boss John Cortland (Turner Stephen Bruton). These five University of Texas cheerleaders, Anne (singer Christina Milian), Teresa (Paula Garcés), Evie (Monica Keena), Heather (Vanessa Ferlito) and Barbara 'Barb' Thompson (Kelli Garner), are now in the custody and under the protection of Roland, posing as their cheerleading coach. After moving into the large house with the girls, Roland's makes sure that the girls know that while they are in danger that he is in charge. As time goes by Roland is annoyed and irritated by the girls ditsy natures, girlie habits such as leaving knickers around and listening to music loud, and much more besides. Obviously he is growing to like them very slowly, and they also help him to try and have a relationship with Barb's English teacher Professor Molly McCarthy (Fatal Attraction's Anne Archer). Eventually the crime villains catch up to the girls, and there is a last chase sequence where the good guys and girls beat them, and the film ends with minister Percy Stevens (Cedric the Entertainer) marrying Roland and Molly. Also starring Brian Van Holt as Agent Eddie Zane, R. Lee Ermey as Captain Nichols, Liz Vassey as Maggie Swanson and real Governor of Texas Rick Perry. Jones is obviously a good reason to see this or any of his films, his female co-stars do alright as the pretty fit and pretty dumb cheerleaders, and there are some giggles, but it isn't an absolutely memorable action comedy. Okay!

Tommy Lee Jones is a good and versatile actor. And somehow he always plays the same roles. Is that a bad thing? Well,in this case it isn't. The contrast between the cheerleaders and this cranky old Texas Ranger is as fun as can be expected. There are even moments where Jones shows his softer side. Jones romancing Anne Archer and him displaying fatherly feelings over the girls he has to protect. Quite the opposite of the role he had in "Double Jeopardy" where most of the time he was just cranky and grumpy. And there are scenes where you can feel the huge age gap between these teens and the old man. But this is done in such a subtle way that is was pretty hilarious. As a bonus there is some slapstick in the form of Cedric the Entertainer. And I don't know about you but he always makes me laugh. The action is downplayed in service of the comedy which is a good thing. Since too much action would have been too distracting. "Man of the House" is not set out to surprise you. It entertains nothing more nothing less.

Comedies are supposed to make people laugh, that's their niche. Movies like "Man of the House" won't be challenging for any Oscars or Golden Globes. So I rate this movie by how much I enjoyed it, and there were almost no dull moments. Sure there are bound to be a handful of scenes that one might find cheesy or corny, but it's the same with virtually any movie of this genre. One man's treasure is another man's garbage. But generally it was very enjoyable.Tommy Lee Jones simply plays himself, but he's got some cracking lines! That only he can deliver with his cowboy swagger. The girls are all very cute and generally offer good screen presence rather than being annoying. The scene where Tommy encounters them for the first time is a classic. The plot is leaky though, the script a little weak, but the concept is solid and well worth watching if you just want to kick back and relax, rather than analyzing everything and hunting for plot holes.

This was a really good movie. It had me laughing throughout the whole thing. I loved the scene with Tommy lee Jones and Professor Mcarthy(Anne Archer). I think she could have had a bigger part though. But TLJ played his part so well and brought a lot to the movie. So did everybody including Anne Archer, for such a small part. I really enjoyed watching this movie, it had me laughing at times for a while. THis is a very good and silly movie to watch, and i definitely recommend it. But be in a good mood to watch it because you really need to be happy and silly to really appreciate this movie. I don't understand how this movie could get a bad Review, it just doesn't make sense. So go out and rent or by this movie, if your in the mood to have a laugh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!