Houseguest (1995)
Houseguest is a fish-out-of-water comedy directed by Randall Miller, starring Sinbad as Kevin Franklin, a fast-talking, down-on-his-luck con man from Pittsburgh who stumbles into an outrageous case of mistaken identity.
Kevin dreams of owning a chain of themed restaurants but has a habit of making bad business deals—and worse enemies. After borrowing money from the mob and failing to repay it, he finds himself on the run from two gangsters. While escaping at the airport, Kevin overhears a wealthy man, Gary Young (Phil Hartman), waiting to pick up a childhood friend he hasn’t seen in 25 years, also named “Kevin Franklin.” Seeing a golden opportunity, Kevin pretends to be the long-lost friend and is welcomed with open arms into the Young family’s upper-middle-class suburban home.
Kevin quickly gets comfortable in Gary’s upscale world, charming the family, enjoying gourmet meals, and talking his way into neighborhood parties, golf games, and even school events. While he’s completely out of place in the affluent setting, his street smarts and quick wit help him navigate the charade—at least at first.
As Kevin bonds with Gary’s wife and kids, he begins to feel guilt about his deception. Meanwhile, Gary, a dentist dealing with his own midlife insecurities, starts to admire Kevin’s spontaneity and confidence. But the mob is still on Kevin’s trail, and his lies begin to unravel. Tensions rise when the real childhood friend finally shows up, revealing Kevin’s con.
In the end, Kevin redeems himself by saving the family from danger and confronting the gangsters in a comedic standoff. His experience with the Youngs ultimately inspires him to grow up and take responsibility for his life. The film closes with Kevin starting his own honest business and staying in touch with his unlikely new friends.
Houseguest blends physical comedy, mistaken identity, and themes of belonging and redemption. Sinbad’s energetic performance, paired with Phil Hartman’s straight-man charm, makes for a lighthearted and family-friendly comedy that plays on class differences and the idea that home is where you’re accepted for who you are.
