My review was written in March 1989 after watching the film on Academy video cassette.
"Grandmother's House" (alternately "Grandma's House") is a clever nailbiter, providing suspenseful variations on a gothic thriller theme. Pic should get a good reaction in the video rental market, bypassing theatrical release.
When attractive youngsters Eric Foster and Kim Valentine go to live with their grandparents following their dad's funeral, Foster immediately becomes suspicious of the old folks' behavior.
He's soon convinced that kindly looking Ida Lee and Len Lesser are murderous crazies preying on passers-by. Cinematographer Peter Jensen's script takes an excellent turn midway when Foster frees a mystery woman (Brinke Stevens) seemingly held in bondage by his grandfolks and she immediately tries to kill him. She turns out to be the kids' long-gone mom (they thought she was dead) whom grandfolks were hiding.
Hectic final rel is loaded with switcheroos, including a surprise incest subplot and morbid final twist. Tightly directed by Peter Rade, pic definitely will keep the viewer guessing.
Both Foster and Nastassja Kinski-esue Valentine score in the lead roles, while Len Lesser is properly ambiguous as granddad. Usually a decorative beauty, Binke Stevens is scary in the character role of mom.
"Grandmother's House" (alternately "Grandma's House") is a clever nailbiter, providing suspenseful variations on a gothic thriller theme. Pic should get a good reaction in the video rental market, bypassing theatrical release.
When attractive youngsters Eric Foster and Kim Valentine go to live with their grandparents following their dad's funeral, Foster immediately becomes suspicious of the old folks' behavior.
He's soon convinced that kindly looking Ida Lee and Len Lesser are murderous crazies preying on passers-by. Cinematographer Peter Jensen's script takes an excellent turn midway when Foster frees a mystery woman (Brinke Stevens) seemingly held in bondage by his grandfolks and she immediately tries to kill him. She turns out to be the kids' long-gone mom (they thought she was dead) whom grandfolks were hiding.
Hectic final rel is loaded with switcheroos, including a surprise incest subplot and morbid final twist. Tightly directed by Peter Rade, pic definitely will keep the viewer guessing.
Both Foster and Nastassja Kinski-esue Valentine score in the lead roles, while Len Lesser is properly ambiguous as granddad. Usually a decorative beauty, Binke Stevens is scary in the character role of mom.