Movie Review: The Family Stone

Stars (Out of 10): 9

One Word Summary: Heartful

Movie Details: MPAA RATING: PG-13 for some sexual content including dialogue, and drug references Starring Claire Danes, Diane Keaton, Rachel McAdams, Dermot Mulroney, Craig T. Nelson, Sarah Jessica Parker, Luke Wilson, and Tyrone Giordano GENRE(S): Comedy  |  Drama  |  Romance   WRITTEN BY: Thomas Bezucha   DIRECTED BY: Thomas Bezucha   RELEASE DATE: Theatrical: December 16, 2005  RUNNING TIME: 102 minutes   Relevant Sites: IMDB Official Movie Website Watch The Movie Trailers Shopping: Shop Amazon for items related to this movie. Shop for movie posters at AllPosters

"The Family Stone" Review:

          The Family Stone features an incredible ensemble cast in the story of a New England family's annual holiday gathering. Favorite son Everett brings home his new girl friend, a high-powered, uptight, throat-clearer from New York, who is met by the family with a mix of confusion and hostility. They were fine when their def son Thad announced he was gay (heck, Sybil was hoping that all her sons would be gay), they were fine with Ben's lifestyle (as long as he didn't bring pot into the house), and they were fine with Susannah's choice of a husband (even though he can't find time in his busy schedule to make the trip with them)… but Meredith, she's just… she's just not right for Everett.

          This Meet the Parents-esque story concept isn't original by any means, but few movies in recent memory have found a way to pack so much comedy and so much heart into a two hour feature film. Virtually unknown director/screenwriter Thomas Bezucha (what a name, by the way) creates an incredibly diverse and well crafted cast of characters. It is a movie about family, and Bezucha's characters are both recognizable and foreign at the same time.

          As an audience we don't quite know what to think of Meredith, and therefore we're equally undecided about the Stones. Mer seems to be a genuinely good person, but we understand why she's being given such a hard time: she's an uptight prude, who, under these circumstances, seems wrong for our dear Everett. The romance that unfolds isn't new, but it's captivating nonetheless.

          What The Family Stone lacks in originality and suspense it makes up for with terrific writing. Although Family Stone is predominantly a comedy, one of its subplots is unmistakably tragic.  Bezucha has many opportunities to play for the violins, but he abstains. He even passes up on a perfectly good opportunity to send his audience home in tears, and maybe in disgust as well. The only scene that deals directly with the film's tragedy does so poignantly but also in a life affirming way.

          Bezucha's characters are made even more real by the tremendous actors that portray them. Diane Keaton is an absolute marvel, blending comedy and calamity in her best performance in years. Sarah Jessica Parker plays the uptight Meredith Morton with the same pizzazz she brought to the loosey-goosey Carrie Bradshaw. Luke Wilson is hilarious and lovable, Dermot Mulroney is his usual dapper self, Claire Danes is angelic, and rising star Rachel McAdams delivers her most complete performance to date.

          At its surface, The Family Stone is two things: it's a Christmas movie and a meet-the-parents screwball comedy (we've all seen Parker's fall in the trailer, but Family Stone is not a screwball comedy). What makes this film so unique though is that there's so much more to it. It's a celebration of family (even through the infighting we see that the Stones share an incredibly close, even consummate bond), it's a celebration of diversity (no raised eyebrows over Thad and his partner Patrick's relationship), and it's a celebration of life (under the laughs lies an incredibly touching and sorrowful story).

The Bottom Line is that The Family Stone is one of the best adult holiday films in years. It's got the laughs, the tears, and the star power to become an instant classic… don't miss it.