Home Movies (1979) on Netflix
Denis Byrd films everything that happens at home. His instructor, the Maestro, teaches a method called Star Power. Denis's brother James runs a summer camp named Spartanetics.
- Watch on NetflixThis title is not on Netflix right now. Please check back later for updates.
- Watch on Prime
- Watch on NordVPN
- Netflix2.5/5
- IMDb5.0/101,154 votes
- Rotten TomatoesNot available
Trailer
Plot summary
The Maestro is a film instructor who champions a technique he calls Star Power. Its lesson is that a person should not become an extra in his own life, because the camera never lies. His pupil Denis Byrd films everything that happens at home. Denis has a rivalry with his brother James, whom the family favors. James runs Spartanetics, a summer camp in the style of the era's self-improvement programs. The boys' mother is given to dramatic outbursts, and their father, Doctor Byrd, philanders. The Maestro appears often to advise Denis on his technique.
Cast
- Loretta Tupperas Grandma
- Captain Haggertyas Policeman
- Kari Borgas Swedish Nurse
- Constance Ilowitzas Lawyer's Secretary
- Kim Herbertas Biker
Did you know?!Facts and trivia about Home Movies (1979)
Can contain spoilers, watch the movie first.
- Brian De Palma conceived Home Movies as a hands-on training exercise for his film students at Sarah Lawrence College, his alma mater; they raised the money, arranged the shooting schedule and edited the film under his supervision.
- Brian De Palma had not planned to direct Home Movies, but stepped into the job as the budget grew, when the planned two-month shoot stretched to a year.
- After Home Movies opened weakly, Brian De Palma blamed United Artists' meager marketing budget and spent $7,500 of his own money on newspaper ads; studio executive Nathaniel Kwit said United Artists had been reluctant to open in New York at all, and the failure ended its theatrical marketing of the film.
- Many events in the story of Keith Gordon's character Dennis Byrd were modeled on events from Brian De Palma's own adolescence.
