THE HOUSE WITH A CLOCK IN ITS WALLS

US, 2018, 104 minutes, Colour.
Jack Black, Cate Blanchett, Owen Vaccaro, Kyle MacLachlan?, Renee Elise Goldsberry, Colleen Camp, Sunny Suljic, Lorenza Izzo.
Directed by Eli Roth.


There are some rather irresistible urges impelling us to go to see this entertaining film. What about a title which sounds so intriguing (although audiences might have a technical quibble about the exact location of the clock). And the combination of Jack Black and Cate Blanchett? And more than a dabbling in magic? A story that appeals to the Harry Potter deep inside each of us.


A word about that cast first. Fans of Jack Black will enjoy him – always variations on the same performance but entertaining nonetheless, this time a warlock who has had some success but fallen foul of his performance partner (Kyle MacLachlan? enjoying himself as wizard, Isaac Izard, with a number of appearances where he seems quite sepulchral and villainous). The screenplay is well-written which gives Jack Black a whole lot of typical humorous quips as well as some engaging banter with his neighbour, a benign witch, dressed in purple, Florence. And, Cate Blanchett looking good and generally serene is able to deliver some funny caustic one-liners as well as slapping Black with the banter.


And then there is Black’s recently orphaned nephew, Lewis, with a sympathetic performance by Owen Vaccaro, sadly alone, trying to make friends at school where he is either mocked or ignored, but with a great desire to become a warlock himself.


It is 1955 so a nice period piece (Back to the Future also incoporated returns to 1955), the set designers and decorators working overtime to create a most elaborate house, one of those mansions with extraordinary rooms, museum-like with remnants from local fairs, deep basements, portraits which move. It is entertaining just to be in the house.

And, if you like magic action there is plenty to be relished here, Jack Black being successful as well as some expected messing up, Cate Blanchett’s Florence calm and magical, and Lewis a fast learner and, being dared by a friend at school, literally raising the dead.

The film is directed by Eli Roth who is best known to horror buffs for such films as Cabin Fever, the first two Hostel films (very gruesome), Green Inferno and Knock, Knock. Not exactly a calling card for a PG film – but, getting to the spirit of things, he delivers a comically scary film drawing on his horror talent.

The film was based on a novel by John Bellairs, published in 1979, part of a series of young adult novels influenced, as Bellairs himself (died in 1991) said were influenced by his Catholic schooling and imagination and J.R.R.Tolkein.

Actually, the film is so enjoyable that, in time to come, it would be well worth seeing and living over again.


1. Audience interest in magic, after Harry Potter? Younger audiences?

2. The strong cast? The comedy styles? The touches of horror and terror?

3. The important of the design, period, atmosphere of magic, mansion, interiors, exteriors? The contrast with the town, ordinary, school? The importance of special effects? make up in costume design? The musical score?

4. The title, expectations, the visuals, sound, the clocks and the range, the search for the clocks, the clock under the boiler in the basement?

5. Lewis’s story? The death of his parents, status as an orphan, going to live with his uncle? 1955 and its atmosphere? The impact of the house, his uncle meeting the bus, the caftan? Impressions? His room? His character, ordinary, at school, the friendship with Tarby? His not being chosen for the sports teams? His response to Jonathan, to Florence? The introduction to the world of magic?

6. Tarby, his injuries, the teams, Lewis and of being chosen? The friendship? The change, Tarby daring Lewis?

7. Jonathan and his magic, Jack Black’s screen presence, appearance, clothes, at night, playing the instrument, the complaints of the neighbour? Bashing the walls, searching for the clock? Florence, her visits, the banter between them? The secret book, Jonathan’s rule, Lewis and his decision to be a wizard, the discussion about wizards and warlocks, the details of his study?

8. Tarby and the dare, Lewis taking it, raising from the dead? Raising Isaac? Tarby and his fear and running away?

9. Isaak, ghostly? The flashbacks, his life, performances, experience of the war, meeting the creature in the woods and the effect on him? Rivalling Jack? Selena, her conspiring with him? Their goals?

10. Florence, Cate Blanchett’s presence, appearance, hair, dressed in purple? The story of her family losses? The loss of powers? Interactions with Jonathan?

11. Jonathan, upset with Lewis, Lewis and his ball and the giving of information? The location of Isaac’s clock?

12. The search, the basement, the effect of the clock, the appearance of Isaac and Selena, the confrontation? Selena’s revelation about appearing as Lewis’s mother?

13. Conflict, the control, the defeat of Isaac?

14. The future, a happy household, Jonathan and Florence, Lewis as wizard?