House Broken is a 2016 film that tells the story of a dysfunctional family struggling to keep it together amidst a number of crises. Heather Brittain O'Scanlon stars as Catharine Langford, a successful newspaper editor who often works long hours, leaving her husband, Greg, played by Andy Peeke, to take care of the house and their two teenage children, Olivia and Wyatt.
The movie opens with a series of scenes that highlight the Langfords' strained family dynamic. Catharine is constantly on the phone with work, while Greg takes care of the house and kids, but is unable to handle the stress of it all. Olivia, the eldest child, is frequently away from home, hanging out with her friends and staying out past curfew. Wyatt, meanwhile, is a shy and introverted teenager who is struggling to fit in at school.
As the film progresses, the family is hit with a series of unexpected challenges. Catharine is in danger of losing her job due to budget cuts at the newspaper, while Greg's older brother, Mason (played by Ara McOmber), starts to meddle in the family's affairs, creating tension between him and Greg. Meanwhile, Olivia's reckless behavior gets her in trouble with the law, and Wyatt starts to spiral into a depression after a humiliating incident at school.
Despite these challenges, the family tries to hold on to some semblance of normalcy. Catharine tries to salvage her job, while Greg attempts to reconcile with Mason and deal with his own emotional issues. Olivia is forced to come to terms with the consequences of her actions, and Wyatt seeks solace in the company of a classmate named Zoe.
Throughout the film, the characters' various struggles are explored in depth, and we get a sense of the complex and nuanced relationships between them. The film is particularly notable for its nuanced portrayal of mental health issues, with Wyatt's depression and anxiety taking center stage in several scenes.
Overall, House Broken is a well-crafted drama that offers a realistic and unflinching look at the challenges that many families face in today's world. The strong performances from the cast, particularly O'Scanlon and Peeke, lend a sense of authenticity to the characters and their struggles. While the film may not be suitable for younger viewers due to some mature themes, it is a worthwhile watch for anyone looking for a well-crafted family drama.
House Broken is a 2016 comedy with a runtime of 16 minutes.
It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.0.
