The House I Live In (2012)
91%RT Audience Score: 85%
Awards & Nominations: 4 wins & 3 nominations
The House I Live In is a documentary that is as informative as it is infuriating. Director Eugene Jarecki takes a deep dive into America’s war on drugs, exposing the grotesque waste of resources and the devastating impact it has had on communities of color. While some critics argue that Jarecki’s analysis is too simplistic, his sincerity and emotional connection to his subjects make for a powerful viewing experience. The film offers no easy solutions, but it does force viewers to confront the harsh realities of a system that has turned America into the world’s largest jailer. It’s a must-see for anyone interested in social justice and political reform, and a scathing indictment of a broken system that desperately needs fixing.
The House I Live In” is a documentary that will make you want to scream, cry, and throw things at the TV all at once. It’s a powerful look at America’s failed war on drugs and the devastating impact it has had on communities and families. Director Eugene Jarecki doesn’t hold back in his criticism of the system, but he also takes the time to humanize the people affected by it. It’s a must-see for anyone who cares about justice and freedom, or just wants to be angry for a couple of hours. Bring tissues and a stress ball.
Production Company(ies)
Mooz Films, Cedrus Invest Bank Sunnyland Film
Distributor
Abramorama
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
New Haven, Connecticut, USA
MPAA / Certificate
Not Rated
Year of Release
2012
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Stereo
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Aspect ratio:1.78 : 1
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Runtime:1h 48m
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Language(s):English
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Oct 5, 2012 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 2, 2013
Genre(s)
Documentary
Keyword(s)
documentary, war on drugs, America, Eugene Jarecki, Melinda Shopsin, Samuel Cullman, Christopher St John, directed by Eugene Jarecki, written by Eugene Jarecki, starring Eugene Jarecki, narrator, David Steven Simon, Charles Ogletree, Michael Bien, producer, box office, budget, critic reviews, reviewed by Claude Peck, Tom Long, Kate Muir, Peter Bradshaw, Nigel Andrews, David Jenkins, B Ruby Rich, C.J Prince, Daniel Green, Maria Garcia, MPAA rating, limited release, streaming, Abramorama, runtime, genre, English, audience score, Tomatometer, Roger Ebert, The Dissident, Roger Waters: The Wall, Side by Side, Bodied, 78/52, The Sea Beast, Moon, 66 Questions, Dreaming Walls: Inside the Chelsea Hotel, The Prey: Legend of Karnoctus, Girl in the Picture, The Road to Galena, Incantation, Dangerous Liaisons, Jewel, Warriors on the Field, Fair Play
Worldwide gross: $219,159
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $282,545
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,868
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 30,812
US/Canada gross: $210,752
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $271,707
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,483
US/Canada opening weekend: $16,453
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $21,212
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,496
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
David Steven Simon – Self
Charles Ogletree – Self
Michael Bien – Self
Eugene Jarecki – Director, Screenwriter
Melinda Shopsin – Producer
Samuel Cullman – Producer
Christopher St. John – Producer
Director(s)
Eugene Jarecki
Writer(s)
Eugene Jarecki
Producer(s)
Eugene Jarecki, Melinda Shopsin, Samuel Cullman, Christopher St. John
Film Festivals
Sundance
Awards & Nominations
4 wins & 3 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (66) | Top Critics (30) | Fresh (62) | Rotten (4)
The movie’s indictment would be more persuasive had Jarecki recognized that his audience likely already knows most of what he recaps, and can handle the odd scrap of ambiguity.
January 17, 2013 | Rating: 2/4
Claude Peck
Minneapolis Star Tribune
TOP CRITIC
“The House I Live In” leaves you shaking your head in deadened wonder at the waste of it all.
December 7, 2012 | Rating: B+
Tom Long
Detroit News
TOP CRITIC
One of the best documentaries out this year, and a must-see for Senate and Congress in America.
November 23, 2012 | Rating: 4/5
Kate Muir
Times (UK)
TOP CRITIC
An angry and personal attack on America’s war on drugs contends it is a grotesquely wasteful public-works scheme.
November 22, 2012 | Rating: 4/5
Peter Bradshaw
Guardian
TOP CRITIC
Jarecki is a stickler for sticking to his subject, or sub-subject, until it squeals like a leech victim.
November 22, 2012 | Rating: 4/5
Nigel Andrews
Financial Times
TOP CRITIC
Jarecki offers 100 small conclusions rather than one big one for you to take away.
November 22, 2012 | Rating: 3/5
David Jenkins
Little White Lies
TOP CRITIC
Elegantly edited [and] thoroughly researched… Deservedly took the jury award for best U.S. documentary.
February 28, 2020
B. Ruby Rich
Film Quarterly
The subject matter alone makes this essential viewing if one has the chance to see it.
June 29, 2019 | Rating: 7.9/10
C.J. Prince
Way Too Indie
Despite presenting clean and precise analysis for the most part, Jarecki does stumble into simplistic didactic at several points in the film.
February 6, 2019 | Rating: 3/5
Daniel Green
CineVue
What makes The House I Live In so potent is the filmmaker’s sincerity. Despite a preference for sweeping statements and conclusions, he establishes palpable emotional connections to several of his subjects who are victims of the war on drugs.
August 21, 2018
Maria Garcia
Cineaste Magazine
Americans have long celebrated justice and freedom, but director Eugene Jarecki’s The House I Live In forces viewers to look closely at political policies that have turned the nation into the No. 1 jailer in the world.
July 16, 2013 | Rating: 3.5/4
Forrest Hartman
Reno Gazette-Journal
Whatever your politics, you will find things to astonish and flabbergast and enrage you in what is perhaps the most cool-headed examination of America’s relationship to illegal drugs ever.
July 2, 2013
MaryAnn Johanson
Flick Filosopher…
Plot
From the dealer to the narcotics officer, the inmate to the federal judge, a penetrating look inside America’s criminal justice system, revealing the profound human rights implications of U.S. drug policy.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
The House I Live In features narrator Eugene Jarecki, who also serves as the director and screenwriter.
Eugene-Jarecki.jpg
