
House of Boys
Seen it?2009 | 120 min | Drama, Romance
Why it’s a Weeknight Watch
With almost no lasting buzz and middling reviews (50% on Rotten Tomatoes), it's a mixed bag. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for romantics. If you loved Leaving Las Vegas or Maurice, start here.
- The mood
- Warm and romantic.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr.
- What might put you off
- Nothing much for most grown-ups.
It is 1984. Frank is a determined English teenager who runs away from high school to find an alternative gay lifestyle in Amsterdam. He finds a home and a job at the "House of Boys", a bar-cum-brothel run by a strict Madame who has an eye for what his punters crave. Frank works his way up from barman to on-stage dancer and falls in love with some of his housemates, Jake. The first intimations of what is described as 'the gay cancer', casts a long shadow over Frank's tight-knit group of friends. Yet despite the troubles that cloud the hopes and dreams of young Frank, his perseverance, along with support from a willing doctor, will carry him through.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsBelow par
50% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesNot counted
Not measured yet: not enough ratings
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Reach & staying powerBelow par
Streaming release that reached a small audience so far; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactWeak
About 6K people sought it out in the past year
More like this
Leaving Las VegasFriday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed drama.
MauriceSaturday SpecialAnother drama, and a Saturday Special.
CabaretFriday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed romance.
GiaSaturday SpecialAnother romance, and a Saturday Special.
Behind the CandelabraFriday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed drama.
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Cast & crew
Directed by Jean-Claude Schlim
- Layke AndersonFrank
- Benn NorthoverJake
- Udo KierMadame
- Stephen FryDr. Marsh
- Steven WebbAngelo
- Chris McHallemFrank's Father
- Vicky KriepsFlower Shop Girl
- Harry FerrierKarl
- Michael KühlChristopher
- Gintarė ParulytėRita