The Home Teachers

There's usually a lot of work that goes into making a film: writing a good script, finding talented actors to play appealing characters (and yes, bad guys can be appealing too), setting up a believable and entertaining plot and interweaving some kind of theme. The Home Teachers failed miserably at all of the above.

After the relatively charming Singles Ward, the general public seemed a little disappointed with Halestorm's next endeavor, The R.M. The cultural fluff jokes were overused and made Mormons look like absolute idiots. So, having no expectations for The Home Teachers, I knew deep down it would turn out to be tripe in the extreme. At least in this I was NOT disappointed. It's one of the worst films of the year, maybe even of the decade.

First of all, the two main characters were dreadfully annoying. Neither of them had any real redeeming qualities, and I would hate to know either of them in person. While the actors playing them did well at being obnoxious, I guess, most of the blame in this lies in the hands of the screenwriters. The script was an absolute joke. I must admit the most eye-rolling part was when the life-changing, attitude-altering home teaching visit involved burying a dog (called a "yapper" by Michael Birkeland's character in true Chris Farley fashion). Laugh-out-loud yes, but ridiculous and contrived as well.

The whole experience seems like Tommy Boy for Mormons gone terribly, TERRIBLY wrong. The comparisons and similarities were blatant, undeniable and shameless. A road comedy, involving one fat, sloppy, lazy oaf who talks loud and stupid, and a thin, uptight, self-righteous goody-goody, and a road trip involving a car being totalled and a deer.

The soundtrack was repetitive (any of the cuts from the first two films would have worked as well), the cinematography was mediocre, the acting was like something you'd see in a Stake Roadshow. Yes, I'm LDS, but that doesn't mean I have to support something that highlights the ridiculous Culture side of the church and totally demoralizes the actual Gospel. Some will like it, but unfortunately that's because Mormons are easily picked on and don't realize how stupid it makes us look. *sigh* Hopefully, as I've heard it said, Richard Dutcher will be able to pull us out of this one.

For real LDS cinema (and just good films besides!), check out God's Army, or Dutcher's masterpiece Brigham City, or even the update of Pride & Prejudice. Skip the Home Teachers. It will make you want to slam the door on YOUR home teachers next time they come over, regardless of what message these guys TRIED to stick into the story at the end.

The movie starts off great, most of us can identify with the urgency to leave at the end of a 3-hour block of meetings.

Overall, the characters were OK, the Ned Flanders meets Tommy boy premise was apparent (although the toilet scene seemed contrived and unrealistic). Elizabeth Sands role as Gregg's wife actually made the Gregg's premise as the football-loving dead beat believable.

If the movie started with a bang, the echos had faded by the time the plot was established. By the time they were going to Vernal, I was looking at the clock, waiting for the credits.

Nice try, but the slapstick adventures have run their course.

I am LDS but my husband is not. We rented this video so that he could see how "peculiar" a people we LDs really are. He loved it! He thought that it was one of the funniest things he had ever seen. I also love "The Best Two Years" and "The RM" and hope to show these movies to him also. These videos can open up dialog about particulars of LDS doctrine and practices in a relaxed way with people who aren't LDS. I recommend them. YES, they are not the pinnacles of cinematic production--- they aren't meant to be. This movie was meant to be watched by the whole family and to both poke fun at LDS life and to praise it. The characters are flawed but recognizable and the situation is so typical to Mormons that the crazy antics of the main characters are really laughable. ;j

These movies are hidden gems, my family loves Church Ball, down and derby, inspired guns, the unitards and this one, the home teachers. I always bring a new one to our family get togethers at our lake home and everyone finds them entertaining. Another movie we love is heaven bound with Torrey Martin, it's a classic. We love these family friendly comedies with a faith element in them and the comedic lines you can repeat over and over again. I'm glad I stumbled upon church ball which in turn helped me find all these other comedy gold movies that are rare unless you seek them out, don't just watch what your Roku recommends or what's in theaters, there are a lot of great movies out there that are clean and incredibly enjoyable. The home teachers doesn't disappoint.

I'm surprised at how the majority of these reviews are so negative. Perhaps it's based in large part on expectations, but I came into the movie expecting pretty much the same caliber of film that I'd seen from these film makers before, and I was pleasantly surprised that they had raised the bar. My wife and I both noticed that production values are much better for this movie than the other 'Mormon' films we'd seen. The lighting, sound, and music seemed very well done. Of course, I realize that production doesn't count for much if the script is a dog, but I felt this film came through on that account as well. No, we weren't rolling in our seats with laughter, but there was good chemistry between the two leads, and I never felt myself cringing (as I find myself in many movies) thinking, "no one talks like that" or "that's not something somebody would say." They kept it pretty real...over-the-top in humor, but real in its characterizations. Perhaps the best compliment that I can give is that this film was funnier than the last few so-called blockbuster Hollywood comedies that I've seen. Well done. I may be watching this one again.