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  Directed by
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  Specs
  • Widescreen 1.85:1
  • 16:9 Enhanced
  • Dual Layer (RSDL )
  Languages
  • English: Dolby Digital Surround
  • French: Dolby Digital Surround
  • Spanish: Dolby Digital Surround
  • German: Dolby Digital Surround
  • Italian: Dolby Digital Surround
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  Extras
  • Theatrical trailer
  • Cast/crew biographies
  • Production notes
Housesitter
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment/Sony Pictures Home Entertainment . R4 . COLOR . 97 mins . PG . PAL

  Feature
Contract

They say diamonds are a girl's best friend, and in the eyes of Newton Davis (Steve Martin), it must be true, as his high school sweetheart, Becky didn't seem to appreciate the house he had designed and built in place of an engagement ring. After three months of bemoaning his loss, he spends a single night with a waitress named Gwen (Goldie Hawn) and realises he needs to put his relationship with Becky in the past, and try to move on.

Of course, life is never so easy, and when he visits his dreamhouse to put it up for sale he finds Gwen inhabiting it, masquerading as his wife. At first, getting rid of her seems to be the best idea, but perhaps Davis use the false marriage to win Becky's heart, showing her what she missed out on by saying "No." The web of lies woven by the unlikely couple becomes more intricate and competitive as we progress through one of the most outrageous romantic comedies of the early 90s.

  Video
  Audio
  Extras
Contract

Altogether, a reasonable transfer - not brilliant, but no real "Oh my God!" problems. A small amount of grain is apparent, and this does lead to a few minor troubles from time to time, usually in the areas of contrast and black levels. In some shots, blacks can be nice and deep, however in others it can appear to be more of a gray. Presented in four channel surround, the soundtrack is mostly unobtrusive, with little, if any, use of the rears, and the front soundstage only opening up for the filmscore. But it is important to remember that this is a romantic comedy, and dialogue is the most important aspect. In that respect, Housesitter's soundtrack does the job, with clarity of speech at levels that will not have you constantly reaching for the remote.

Included on the disc is what I consider to be the "standard package" of extras: a theatrical trailer, presented in the same aspect ratio as the film itself; cast and crew biographies of the director and principle cast, along with selected filmographies; and finally, a few pages of production notes.

All in all, there's no reason not to get Housesitter if you're a Goldie Hawn or Steve Martin fan.


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  •   And I quote...
    "Can you really blame her for lying? Look at the house, it's beautiful!"
    - Andrew MacLennan
      Review Equipment
    • DVD Player:
          Pioneer DV-515
    • TV:
          Philips 29PT6361
    • Receiver:
          Denon AVR-2700
    • Speakers:
          Aaron ATS-5
    • Centre Speaker:
          Aaron CC-240
    • Surrounds:
          Aaron SS-120
    • Subwoofer:
          Aaron SUB-240
    • Audio Cables:
          Standard Optical
    • Video Cables:
          Standard Component RCA
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