Los Angeles Times

'House' is Duchovny's new realm

April 11, 2005

During his years as agent Fox Mulder on "The X-Files," David Duchovny wrote and directed a few episodes of Fox's hit sci-fi series.

Now, the 44-year-old is taking on the big screen in "House of D," which opens in limited release Friday. The movie, which was shot nearly 18 months ago, has been making the film festival rounds for the last year.

Not only does Duchovny star in the film, but the budding auteur also wrote and directed the drama--a nostalgic look at the trials and tribulations of adolescence. And "House of D" is a family affair for Duchovny: Wife Téa Leoni has a pivotal role in the film.

Duchovny plays Tom Warshaw, an American living in Paris for the last 30 years, who decides to tell his estranged wife and son about his troubled adolescence in the hopes of coming to terms with his past. Leoni plays the young Warshaw's mother, who struggles to cope with the recent death of her husband and relies on sedatives to help her through the day. Anton Yelchin plays the 13-year-old Warshaw, who expresses his grief by acting up in his private school. The only bright side in Tommy's life is his friendship with Pappas (Robin Williams), a mentally challenged janitor with big ears and a wide grin who works at the school.

"The House of D" refers to the local Women's House of Detention where Tommy and Pappas hide the money they earn delivering pizza. Singer Erykah Badu plays one of the prisoners who gives Tommy romantic advice; Williams' daughter Zelda makes her feature debut as Tommy's first love.