Directed by Max Eggers and Sam Eggers from a screenplay the brothers co-wrote based on the short story by Susan Hill, The Front Room does not deliver the horror anticipated from the trailer. Instead of chills and thrills, there were many more in the audience who laughed out loud or worse, grossed out, especially when in a theater where you are having a meal.
Norman (Andrew Burnap) and Belinda (Brandy Norwood, I Still Know What You Did Last Summer, 1998) are expecting a child. They are happy together but having financial struggles after a change in her employment at the university and his income is not compatible with a professor’s earnings. Norman has not been fully truthful with his wife Belinda about his father and stepmother Solange (Kathryn Hunter, Poor Things, Megalopolis). When he is notified of his father’s death, he is summoned back to the former hometown. He finally tells Belinda about the childhood trauma he experienced with Solange. They go to the funeral and Solange offers them a sizable inheritance with a condition for them to provide in – home elder care in their own home. The financial need is great, and they accept. They soon find out how their lives change.
Once in their home, Solange has no problem taking possession of the room that has been decorated for the baby, insisting the name of the baby should meet certain criteria and other things including nasty comments about the food. The 80 plus year old stepmother is very proud of her background that includes membership in the “United Daughters of the Confederacy” – proudly displayed with a paper certificate.
Solange creates all types of chaos with the intention to have everything her way. Norman, a public defender, works on his career to escape the insanity at home. He doesn’t provide as much support for Belinda when she tells him what happened during the day to her or the baby. It is not clear if it is his history with Solange or other reasons he does not step up. Yes, you would think they could find some in-home elder care for Solange. It is evident that Solange is doing all she can to wear down Brenda, but I don’t think the gross scenes were necessary to prove that point. Some people may enjoy gross humor, but I am not impressed. There are so many scenes of Solange being bad to Belinda, then flashing a smirk like a spoiled child. Those scenes are effective, but the actress played those so over the top, it was too comedic. While she is good in her role, it disrupts the mood of a horror film.
Norwood is excellent as a mother who will do what is needed to defend herself, her home and family. She faces Solange head on despite the humiliation and doing it alone while her husband is gone.
The film may not be for everyone, but if unsure about this horror/comedy mix, try to see it on the discount day at the cinema, or a matinee.
Cast: Brandy Norwood, Andre Burnap, Kathryn Hunter, Neal Huff, Mary Testa, Kerry Flanagan.
Now in theaters as of September 6, 2024.
Source: A 24
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