Housekeeping for Beginners
Release date: 2024-04-05
Votes: 21
Genres: Comedy, Drama
Dita, who, despite never aspiring to be a mother, finds herself compelled to raise her girlfriend’s two daughters—Mia, a tiny troublemaker, and Vanesa, a rebellious teenager. As their individual wills clash, a heartwarming story unfolds about an unlikely family's struggle to stay together.
Reviews
Brent Marchant
Alternative “family” structures have been around for some time now, and they’ve assumed a variety of forms, both domestically and overseas, as well as in their essential composition. And, in a number of cases, it has taken some trial and error to figure out what works best for these diverse groupings, depending on the various factors that characterize the individuals involved. Such is the case in this profile of a multi-ethnic, mostly LGBTQ+ household in Skopje, North Macedonia that struggles to find a harmonious footing when stricken by a tragedy involving a family matriarch (Alina Serban). Those left behind (Anamaria Marinca, Vladimir Tintor, Samson Selim) must figure out how to regroup, particularly when it comes to the care of a belligerent adolescent (Mia Mustafa) and her sweet, young, surprisingly worldly half-sister (Dzada Selim). It’s especially challenging for those in charge, given that they’re not terribly experienced at (nor overly interested in) the responsibility for such matters. They truly find themselves engaged in a crash course of “housekeeping for beginners,” one that finds them with one foot each in the middle class world of Skopje and in the impoverished world of nearby Shutka, an enclave of Roma (a.k.a. “Gypsy”) culture. Writer-director Goran Stolevski’s third feature outing provides an intriguing look at life in locales that have not received much cinematic attention, depicted through the eyes of an eclectic mix of characters living lives far different from what one typically finds in most conventional households. This domestic comedy-drama gets off to a somewhat rocky start, mainly due to a failure in identifying the nature of the relationships among the principals, and a narrative that can be rather episodic at times, with resolutions to its multiple story threads that feel incomplete or end abruptly (most notably in the final act). Viewers probably would have benefitted from some additional information about the ethnic backgrounds of the characters, too, given that many viewers are likely unfamiliar with the cultures involved. However, once the picture starts settling down and finding its rhythm, this release definitely gets stronger and more involving as it progresses, touching audiences profoundly, given that the situations that arise are often universal in nature, no matter what structure a family unit takes. “Housekeeping for Beginners” definitely has its strengths and touching moments; it’s a little disappointing, though, that there aren’t more of them. Greater clarification and consistency in the storytelling would have done this offering a world of good in its depiction of a world otherwise seldom seen.
Movie Recommendation
Vincent Must Die2023-11-15Vincent finds himself under attack for no apparent reason overnight. When the phenomenon intensifies, he must run and change his way of life completely.More...
Fib the Truth2021-09-09A couple in love spends time away from civilization. The sudden arrival of the younger sister first, and then the girl's ex-boyfriend, violate the country idyll. Each of the heroes has his own plan for this weekend, and together they become hostages of the situation and participants in cruel psychological games. Falling in love gives way to passion, and innocent flirting causes jealousy and can lead to mortal danger.More...
Candy Candy: The Movie1992-04-25A young girl named Candice White who was left on the doorstep of the "Pony Home", an orphanage, when she was just a baby. The sisters took her first name from a doll she had in her basket, with the name "Candy" on it, and her last name from the snowstorm she was rescued from. Life is quiet and happy.. or.. as quiet as life can be with Candy around. She has a penchant for getting into trouble, climbing trees and tussling with the best of them. However, tragedy begins to strike.More...
The Week Of2018-04-27The parents of a soon-to-be married couple make the final preparations for the wedding ceremony.More...
45 Years2015-05-29There is just one week until Kate Mercer's 45th wedding anniversary and the planning for the party is going well. But then a letter arrives for her husband. The body of his first love has been discovered, frozen and preserved in the icy glaciers of the Swiss Alps. By the time the party is upon them, five days later, there may not be a marriage left to celebrate.More...
78 Days2024-08-29After their father is conscripted during the 1999 NATO bombing of Serbia, three sisters begin a Hi8 video diary in their countryside home. They film each other putting on make-up, picking cherries, playing party games, getting into fights and helping their mother cook. This fragile, intimate world is perhaps their only shelter from the reality of bombings, sirens and war.More...
Chefurs Raus!2013-10-03Marko, Adi, Aco and Dejan hag out in front of block of flats in Fuzine. Marko is pissed because he quit playing basketball and because the sexy TV presenter doesn't notice him and because his father Radovan is going to beat him up for quitting basketball. Adi is irritated by the fact that his brother Sanel is a drug addict and because his father Mirsad prefers to shang waitresses somewhere in Austira rather than to deal whit this. Makarovicka chefur girl gives a hard time to Aco and he would like to tak a revenge on Damjanovic - bus driver. Dejan is anxious because his mother Sonja wants to move to Slovenske Konjice. Policemen stop the boys one night and their world starts to disintegrate.More...
Celts2022-01-22Belgrade in 1993. The pent-up tension of uncertain times is released at a children’s birthday party. While the kids celebrate in the living room dressed up as Ninja Turtles, the adults discuss, flirt, smoke and drink in the kitchen.More...
Deadpool & Wolverine2024-07-24A listless Wade Wilson toils away in civilian life with his days as the morally flexible mercenary, Deadpool, behind him. But when his homeworld faces an existential threat, Wade must reluctantly suit-up again with an even more reluctant Wolverine.More...
Barbie2023-06-18Barbie and Ken are having the time of their lives in the colorful and seemingly perfect world of Barbie Land. However, when they get a chance to go to the real world, they soon discover the joys and perils of living among humans.More...
Dune: Part Two2024-02-27Follow the mythic journey of Paul Atreides as he unites with Chani and the Fremen while on a path of revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. Facing a choice between the love of his life and the fate of the known universe, Paul endeavors to prevent a terrible future only he can foresee.More...
Top Gun: Maverick2022-05-21After more than thirty years of service as one of the Navy’s top aviators, and dodging the advancement in rank that would ground him, Pete “Maverick” Mitchell finds himself training a detachment of TOP GUN graduates for a specialized mission the likes of which no living pilot has ever seen.More...
Us2019-03-14Husband and wife Gabe and Adelaide Wilson take their kids to their beach house expecting to unplug and unwind with friends. But as night descends, their serenity turns to tension and chaos when some shocking visitors arrive uninvited.More...
Green Book2018-11-16Tony Lip, a bouncer in 1962, is hired to drive pianist Don Shirley on a tour through the Deep South in the days when African Americans, forced to find alternate accommodations and services due to segregation laws below the Mason-Dixon Line, relied on a guide called The Negro Motorist Green Book.More...
Love, Simon2018-02-16Everyone deserves a great love story, but for 17-year-old Simon Spier, it's a little more complicated. He hasn't told his family or friends that he's gay, and he doesn't know the identity of the anonymous classmate that he's fallen for online.More...
Wonder Woman2017-05-30An Amazon princess comes to the world of Man in the grips of the First World War to confront the forces of evil and bring an end to human conflict.More...
Killers of the Flower Moon2023-10-18When oil is discovered in 1920s Oklahoma under Osage Nation land, the Osage people are murdered one by one—until the FBI steps in to unravel the mystery.More...
Twisters2024-07-10As storm season intensifies, the paths of former storm chaser Kate Carter and reckless social-media superstar Tyler Owens collide when terrifying phenomena never seen before are unleashed. The pair and their competing teams find themselves squarely in the paths of multiple storm systems converging over central Oklahoma in the fight of their lives.More...
Avengers: Endgame2019-04-24After the devastating events of Avengers: Infinity War, the universe is in ruins due to the efforts of the Mad Titan, Thanos. With the help of remaining allies, the Avengers must assemble once more in order to undo Thanos' actions and restore order to the universe once and for all, no matter what consequences may be in store.More...
Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)2020-02-05Harley Quinn joins forces with a singer, an assassin and a police detective to help a young girl who had a hit placed on her after she stole a rare diamond from a crime lord.More...
Similar Movies
Ebb and Flow
No data for this movieGaspar and Tadeo are in a relationship. However, each of them sees it in a different way.Interstício
No data for this movieThree friends break into an abandoned house at dawn. What starts as a joke becomes a nightmare when a monstrous creature attacks. As they flee through endless corridors, they discover a terrifying truth: there's no way out.Danny Smoke in Furry ...
2024-08-03When he's transported to furry land, Danny Smoke must find and save King Magnum's daughter, but has to be accompanied by the damaged and loner Marshall the Wolf. If they are to succeed, they're going to have to get along…Oh, Otto!
2025-07-03Otto is 26 and has his life together. Or so he thinks. When his first love Boris dumps him and his best friend Lente leaves their beloved Brussels, he is left full of doubts and questions. He decides to fill his heart with fleeting love and searches for his place within the vibrant Brussels queer scene. With his online alter ego in his pocket, he dives into a world full of nocturnal escapades, gay bars and self-discovery.Grande école
2004-02-04Paul and Agnes have been going out for quite a while and Agnes is shocked to learn that he'd rather live with two roommates on campus than move in with her. As soon as he meets one of his roommates, Louis-Anault, Paul's behavior changes - he is attracted to Louis without realizing so himself. Agnes, on the other hand, gets quite jealous and offers a bet: Whoever gets to have Louis-Anault first, wins... If she does, Paul will no longer explore his homosexual desires, if he does - she'll walk away. Meanwhile, Paul meets Mecir, a young Arab worker, who shows him there's more to life than elite colleges...Peter von Kant
2022-07-06Peter von Kant, a successful, famous director, lives with his assistant Karl, whom he likes to mistreat and humiliate. Through the great actress Sidonie, he meets and falls in love with Amir, a handsome young man of modest means. He offers to share his apartment and help Amir break into the world of cinema. Several months later, Amir becomes a star. But as soon as he acquires fame, he breaks up with Peter, leaving him alone to face himself.Zero One
2019-05-17Jimmy Park is visiting home for the first time in years and has nothing to show for his time living overseas in Seoul. But old tensions come to a head when he confronts his homophobic sister at a family dinner.Edge of Seventeen
1999-06-111984, Sandusky, Ohio. A naive 17-year-old navigates heartbreak and self-expression as he explores his sexuality.Pulse
2017-06-14A gay disabled teenage boy changes into the body of a beautiful woman, so that he can be loved.I Love Hooligans
2013-09-01A football hooligan feels unconditional love for his club. However, being gay, he has to hide his identity in order to survive in this world that is so precious to him.Hello, Stranger
2016-12-12Arthur is a single dad, struggling with the care for his seven-year-old son Max and the combination of his secret life as a drag queen.Naked
2013-11-08A message from Javier's boyfriend changes his family situation and causes them to reconsider their relationships.Piecht
2023-01-24For 17-year-old Johanna, a vacation in the idyllic countryside of Piecht is anything but relaxing. While her mother dreams of an ecological alternative to city life, a real nightmare unfolds for Johanna when she confronts the far-right, close-knitted community and encounters brutal resistance.Les contre-courants
2025-09-05Nathan, in his twenties and still studying, no longer feels like he belongs in his own life. To reflect on his uncertain future, he decides to take a solo vacation to Corsica. Under the scorching summer sun, the introverted young man meets Léana and Félix, with whom he shares a shabby room in a youth hostel. The duo welcomes him warmly, as if they were old friends, which unsettles Nathan. Initially distant, he gradually grows fond of the pair, who are the complete opposite of him. Little by little, an unexpected bond forms between them—one that deeply shakes him.2 Weeks
2020-06-22When 20-something-year-old Tanya begins to realize she’s asexual, the highly charged sexualized world she lives in as an actress and partner begins to fall apart and feels more and more like an unbearable nightmare.Girls Love
2016-02-25Two roommates living in an all-girl dormitory. They fall in love with each other.Coming Out
1979-04-10Lewis, a gay writer of romantic novels, writes an article on gay issues under the pseudonym of "Zippy Grimes." The reason for this is that he hasn't come out yet and he doesn't want to alienate his mainly female fan-base. The article is a great success and leads to a huge amount of reactions, mainly from other gay men who are leading a double life. He decides to meet a number of these letter writers and eventually is forced to come out.Find You in The Crowd...
2017-08-24The younger Jing Nian and the older Lu Sheng have been playmates since they were children. After entering university, Jing Nian has been passionately chasing Lu Sheng over the years showing his true love for him. However, Lu Sheng really can't stand it and dares not face his innermost feelings. Emotions, this pair who are born with a tacit understanding, how should love speak out?The Boys in the Band
2020-09-30At a birthday party in 1968 New York, a surprise guest and a drunken game leave seven gay friends reckoning with unspoken feelings and buried truths.The Half of It
2020-05-01Shy, straight-A student Ellie is hired by sweet but inarticulate jock Paul, who needs help wooing the most popular girl in school. But their new and unlikely friendship gets tricky when Ellie discovers she has feelings for the same girl.