The film’s synopsis, according to it’s website: A communal house left in trust many years ago to provide art students support in the way of free housing, Art House has accumulated its share of legends, lore, art, art junk and a reputation for hard partying. When a university dean and an influential descendant of the original benefactor decide to turn the place into housing for varsity golf, the residents’ only chance of blocking the move is to prove their value and vitality as an artistic community. The burden is on art student Nora Ohr (Greta Gerwig), who is energetic, compassionate, but by no means perfect. Can the residents of Art House get their act together and make a name for themselves as artists before they’re kicked out?
To answer the final question, in the mind of a viewer set upon enjoying watching the struggle and hopeful success of these art students, is no. There is no easy way to explain the drastic disappointment Art House becomes as the minutes slowly, and at times, painfully, tick away. Nora is as enthusiastic as an art student may be and determined to save the house. Her character borders on likability but given the supporting cast and regretful casting of her love interest, Chris Beier as Jack, she becomes nauseating. Baier’s performance is awkward, ill-timed, and always stunted by the apparent lack of direction towards his character. Only adding more awkwardness and cringe worthiness is the character Kenneth (Timothy Brennen). An aging art professor whose obvious attempts to woo the much younger Nora is a story line that should have never been written. It adds nothing to the film except to alienate the viewer from the real story at hand, saving art house.
The film attempts to show the validity of each person’s talent as artists but a large majority of the time is either focused on Nora’a romantic entanglements or fellow art student, and secret Nora admirer, Emanuel’s (Hayes Hargrove) whining over his artists block. In a sad twist you actually want the art student’s to lose their home just to put an end to this drab, flat story. If Iggy Pop, playing the eccentric father of Nora, is a draw for you then you will be very upset since his appearance totals about five minutes of the entire movie. He makes an impression, as only Iggy can, but nothing can make up for the rest of the film. When the movie finally decides to put aside all the relationship drama and focus on the art you are given an interesting look into what can be perceived as art in the modern world, if only for a brief moment.
If you are interested in learning more about the film you may on its website here.