THE HOUSE ON THE EDGE OF THE PARK is considered exploitation/trash film-making at its best or worst, depending on the viewer's capabilities of absorbing violence and sex, and sexualized violence. Cinephiles would probably dismiss this as pure trash and not worthy of anything artistic, while some exploitation film fanatics might dismiss it as well because it's not trashy enough. I like any kind of film, arty or trashy, and for me I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed HOTEOTP. Oddly enough, this "exploitation" film actually feels more like some sort of art-film than anything else: it feels and looks like a stage play.
Like a play, there's a minimalist setting and story. The whole story takes place in one area, the posh house. Like a play, there's an ensemble cast of (sketchy) characters, whom we meet one at a time and eventually they all interact together. Like a play, there are big dramatic moments with losta scenery chewing. Like a play, the story is played out like some sort of Greek tragedy or Shakespearian tale, with an ending that completely flips the story in its face, which, in turn, probably infuriated those who just wanted to watch gratuitous violence and sex.
I cannot tell you how much I like the ending in THE HOUSE ON THE EDGE OF THE PARK. In my humble opinion, it's totally brilliant. I would have rated the film much lower had it not been for the cool ending. I wasn't put-off by the sex and violence. But the acting and dialogue are a whole different matter. At around 90 minutes long, having to watch these non-actors act so badly for the longest time WAS almost torture. Like so many films of this kind, the level of acting is below average and coupled with the sorta odd behavior of the characters seen throughout the film (which finally made sense thanks to the truly sadistic twist), what was rough to watch eventually smoothed itself out by the end of the film. The way the director (not one of my favorite directors) switches the story's narrative drive at the end reminds me of the way Hitchcock played with audience's empathy vis a vis Norman Bates in PSYCHO. And its statement (yes, it does have a statement) on social class differences and how they feed on each other is obliquely succinct and ironic. It's masochism at its purest form.
With a cast of capable actors and better dialogue, this twisted revenge story would make a great remake or even a nifty stageplay. But for now, if you're into violent, sadistic and trashy dramas, make sure to watch THE HOUSE ON THE EDGE OF THE PARK. I sure got a kick from it!
Like a play, there's a minimalist setting and story. The whole story takes place in one area, the posh house. Like a play, there's an ensemble cast of (sketchy) characters, whom we meet one at a time and eventually they all interact together. Like a play, there are big dramatic moments with losta scenery chewing. Like a play, the story is played out like some sort of Greek tragedy or Shakespearian tale, with an ending that completely flips the story in its face, which, in turn, probably infuriated those who just wanted to watch gratuitous violence and sex.
I cannot tell you how much I like the ending in THE HOUSE ON THE EDGE OF THE PARK. In my humble opinion, it's totally brilliant. I would have rated the film much lower had it not been for the cool ending. I wasn't put-off by the sex and violence. But the acting and dialogue are a whole different matter. At around 90 minutes long, having to watch these non-actors act so badly for the longest time WAS almost torture. Like so many films of this kind, the level of acting is below average and coupled with the sorta odd behavior of the characters seen throughout the film (which finally made sense thanks to the truly sadistic twist), what was rough to watch eventually smoothed itself out by the end of the film. The way the director (not one of my favorite directors) switches the story's narrative drive at the end reminds me of the way Hitchcock played with audience's empathy vis a vis Norman Bates in PSYCHO. And its statement (yes, it does have a statement) on social class differences and how they feed on each other is obliquely succinct and ironic. It's masochism at its purest form.
With a cast of capable actors and better dialogue, this twisted revenge story would make a great remake or even a nifty stageplay. But for now, if you're into violent, sadistic and trashy dramas, make sure to watch THE HOUSE ON THE EDGE OF THE PARK. I sure got a kick from it!