Home Fries (1998)

A man is frightened to death by a menacing military helicopter, piloted by two young Texan men who just happen to be the dead man's stepsons, Dorian and Angus (Luke Wilson and Jake Busey). To complicate matters, the dead man had had an affair with young Sally (Drew Barrymore), a clerk at the local Burger-Matic who didn't know the guy was married. Now she's pregnant and looking for a supportive guy to be her unborn child's potential father. Dorian fits the role quite nicely, but Angus thinks Sally knows about the helicopter incident, and their scheming mother (Catherine O'Hara) is trying to mastermind a cover-up, and....

So goes the cleverly amusing plot of this light, character-based romantic comedy, which proves Barrymore's charm and versatility once again, gives O'Hara one of her best roles, and moves right along at its own amiable pace. Small-town romance combines with darkly tinged comedy (scripted by X-Files staffer Vince Gilligan), and first-time director Dean Parisot guides it all with casual assurance. There's nothing going on here that's particularly inspired, but Barrymore and Wilson (an off-screen couple during production) make a delightful pair, and the cast makes the most of some hilarious down-home dialogue. All in all, a very pleasant diversion. --Jeff Shannon Amazon.com

But maybe a bit too much salt...

Sally Jackson (Drew Barrymore) reprises her classic role as the lovely young (pregnant) naïf next door. Jackson works in a burger joint, whose kindly manager lets her work the drive-through to conceal her delicate condition. Meanwhile, brothers Dorian and Angus Montier (Luke Wilson and Jake Bussey), local National Guard helicopter hotshots, have frightened a local man (with serious results) with their aerial antics. Problem is, Sally may have overheard the pilots on her headset. The boys need to find out what, if anything, she knows.

Just one look at the DVD cover will tell you that in spite of everything, romance is in the air (Ha! Ha!) between Drew and Luke's characters. The movie is likable and fun and generally means well. But the plot line requires a level of suspension of disbelief that becomes distracting. I mean, even the Guard can't take copters out for joy rides, never mind discharging boxloads of ordinance.

But in spite of its excesses, "Home Fries" was enjoyable -- cinematic fast food that was nourishing, if not nutritious. February 13, 2007

A drama? A romantic comedy?

This was a black comedy that unfolded over the first 30 minutes of the film, revealing one surprise relationship after another, until you realize that all the major characters are related in surprising ways. It's kind of strange, because this movie wasn't terribly complicated, but I'm still not sure what to make of it.
Catherine O'Hara has her two military helicopter-pilot sons scare her cheating husband, whose cheating on her with Drew Barrymore. The husband is successfully scared (to death) and Drew Barrymore is an earwitness through her headset at a burger joint. I won't say "Home Fries" is a complete waste. I was somehow taken in enough to watch the entire movie. One shining light is Luke Wilson, who steals most of the scenes he has, and the crazy thing is that he's stealing them from actors like Jake Busey and Catherine O'Hara.
It was the overall movie premise and plot lines that were average at best. After the first 30 minutes of the movie you could see the direction the film would take.
Overall, this movie didn't know which way it wanted to go. A comedy? A drama? A romantic comedy? I'm still not sure. August 13, 2006

Sweet, funny movie

I just love this movie. Drew Barrymore plays the charachter of Sally,who is really likeable and sweet.You can't help but fall in love with "Sally's" gentle, sensitive personality and the fact that she always trys to be the best person that she can be. Luke Wilson, who is one of the best looking men on the planet, portrays Dorian, an equally kind and lovable character who has to deal with a crazy mother & brother, while falling in love with Sally. "Home Fries" is a great movie about getting over the hurdles of life and fighting to be with the one you love. October 8, 2005

Home Fries

Home Fries is a great movie about a young women, Sally, played by Drew Barrymore, who is just trying to find a father for her unborn baby. The real father died of a mysterious heart attack. The man she finds, Dorian, played by Luke Wilson, played a mayjor part in the real fathers death.
Drew Barrymore and Luke Wilson had great chemistry on camera. I recomend this movie to fans of either Drew, Luke, and comedic romance movies. It has a great plot, is funny, romantic, and keeps you wondering what will happen next. February 10, 2005

Wild,Weird

Home Fries is an endearing dark comedy. The movie is filled with wild, weird twists and turns revolving around the death of a cheating step-father.The movie is flat out,laugh out loud funny. There is also a completely charming romance between one of the step-sons and the pregnant girlfriend of the step-dad.
Drew Barrymore is radiant as the girlfriend and Luke Wilson is perfect as her messed up suitor.Add Catherine O'Hara as the crazy Mom and Jake Busey as the going crazy brother-and you have a don't miss movie! July 24, 2004

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