HouseSitter (1992)

Con artist Gwen moves into Newton's empty home without his knowledge and begins setting up house, posing as his new wife.

Director:

Frank Oz

Writers:

Mark Stein (story), Brian Grazer (story)

Stars:

Steve Martin, Goldie Hawn, Dana Delany

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Steve Martin	...	Davis
Goldie Hawn	...	Gwen
Dana Delany	...	Becky
Julie Harris	...	Edna Davis
Donald Moffat	...	George Davis
Peter MacNicol	...	Marty
Richard B. Shull	...	Ralph
Laurel Cronin	...	Mary
Roy Cooper	...	Moseby
Christopher Durang	...	Reverend Lipton
Heywood Hale Broun	...	Travis
Cherry Jones	...	Patty
Vasek Simek	...	Karol
Suzanne Whang	...	Moseby's Secretary
Mary Klug	...	Lorraine

Storyline

Newton Davis builds his dream house and presents it to Becky with a proposal of marriage. She turns him down. He leaves the house, still with a ribbon around it and returns to the city, smitten with Becky. He meets Gwen, who has an interesting relationship with the truth. He spends the night with her, but leaves while she is sleeping. She takes his description of the house, searches it out, and moves in. The residents of Newton's hometown become curious and Gwen invents a marriage, a courtship, and and an entire history. Newton's parents meet Gwen and are immediately taken with her. By the time Newton finds out, the whole town thinks he's married, and Becky tells him that Gwen has made her see him in a whole new light. Gwen and Newton agree that she can pretend to be his wife and get free rent while Newton works on Becky until they can announce a divorce. The trouble is that nobody in the town wants them to separate and they keep trying to help them reconcile.

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Plot Keywords:

neo screwball comedy | liar revealed | house | waitress | small town | 

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Taglines:

She's turning his house into a home...hers!

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for mild sensuality and language

Did You Know?

Trivia

The house was built as a standing set in Concord, Massachusetts. It was torn down soon after filming ended.

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Goofs

When Gwen is in the house discussing "what happened in Maui" with Becky, her sweater sleeves are pushed up by her elbows. After she finishes the story she leaves the house they are now down around her wrists.

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Quotes

[final lines]
Newton Davis: I love you, Gwen.
Gwen: Actually, it's Jessica.

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Crazy Credits

When the title is shown in the opening credits, there's a red ribbon underneath the title that ties itself into a bow.

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Connections

Referenced in Jersey Girl (2004)

User Reviews

one scene can make a film

I loved reading the reviews of this lovely movie. Its a quaint, almost old fashioned film. The kind of film you loved with people like Cary Grant and Doris Day etc. Its genuinely funny. The chemistry with Martin and Hawn is perfect and its a pity they did not do more together. Goldie is a great talent and you really find her so adorable. Steve Martin needs a good actor to bounce off. I always preferred him in stand up but in this with Goldie he is wonderful. The chemistry between Martin and Goldie has not been repeated and thats a shame. Its very rare to find it in a modern film. There is one scene I find hilarious. I laugh myself silly every time I see it and thats the scene when Martin sings for the old soldier "Tooraloohraloora". I don't know why I find it so funny but I think its one of my favourite moments in a film. I wont explain the details as it would ruin it for people who have not seen the film but its side splitingly funny. There are plenty of nice moments in the film. Oh and I LOVE the house!!

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 June 1992 (USA)

Also Known As:

HouseSitter

Filming Locations:

North End, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$9,106,950, 14 June 1992

Gross USA:

$58,500,635

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$94,900,635

Company Credits

Production Co:

Imagine Entertainment, Imagine Films Entertainment, Universal Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1