The Diva's review of
The Family Stone (2005)

Rated PG-13; running time of 1 hour and 42 minutes
Genre: Dramedy
Written by: Thomas Bezucha
Directed by: Thomas Bezucha
Cast: Sarah Jessica Parker, Dermot Mulroney, Craig T. Nelson, Diane Keaton, Luke Wilson, Rachel McAdams, Claire Danes, Tyrone Giordano, Elizabeth Reaser, Brian White

WARNING - SPOILERS BELOW

The Digest

Calling Meredith Morton (Sarah Jessica Parker), uptight would be an understatement. Nonetheless, Everett Stone (Dermot Mulroney), has brought her home for the holidays to meet his family. Everett's youngest sister, Amy (Rachel McAdams), has already met Meredith and does a good job of influencing the family against Meredith before they even meet her. Next up is dear and sweet, Thad (Tyrone Giordano); he’s deaf and gay with an African America boyfriend with whom he is trying to adopt a child; pregnant sister, Susannah (Elizabeth Reaser); and Ben (Luke Wilson), who mom calls the prodigal son, want to give Meredith a break. And finally Mom Sybil (Diane Keaton), and Dad, Kelly (Craig T. Nelson), Sybil is none to pleased with her son’s choice and Dad kind just goes along with mom.

The more Meredith tries, the worse things get for her. The Stone family is unwilling to bend and start to rebel against her. She is under so much pressure that she keeps fumbling and making more of a mess. She calls in for backup, by asking her sister, Julie (Claire Danes) to come in and provide moral support.

Julie tries to soft the perception the people have of her sister, but even Julie can’t help when Meredith unintentionally insult the family by expressing her views on the gay life style. She means well, but it comes out all wrong. Well that is just about all Sybil can take. You don’t insult child in front of their mother.

As things spiral out of control, Everett finds himself seeing a different Meredith and being drawn to Julie- which makes Sybil happy and Ben, while trying to make things easier for Meredith – begins to fall for her.

Can Christmas be salvaged? And how will the family come to terms with secrets that are being kept?

The Dish

Why are they calling this a comedy? Sure it has some funny moments, but a comedy? I think not. And why are they calling this family dysfunctional? The seems pretty normal to me. Just because you have a sister who is a brat and a deaf gay brother does not make you dysfunctional. Even the behavior of the family while mean spirited isn’t dysfunctional. The family gets along just fine with one another and the love each other fiercely. They even get along with people outside of the family. They just can’t deal with Everett being in love with Meredith. She doesn’t fit. Granted it’s not their place to dictate who he can and should love, but I wouldn’t call that dysfunctional. Give me a break

What I would call this movie, however is predictable and manipulative. Who didn’t see the brothers falling for opposite sister coming? Who did figure out that there was an illness in the family? My favorite character with Luke Wilson’s Ben. He was so laid back and amused by the situation going on around him. He reminded me a lot like my husband who comes from a big family who some might call dysfunctional. When things are chaotic, he just sits back and removes himself all the while pulling for the underdog. I think the title of the movie is very clever. It’s not just about a family named Stone. It’s also about the refusal of Sybil to part with the family inherited diamond ring (family stone) because she doesn’t want Meredith to have it. This sets a complication between mother and son.

I wasn’t really moved by this movie in either direction. It’s okay, but rather bland. .

The Directive

This really is a “chick flick” and you’d be best served by going to a matinee with your girlfriends.

You might need to be stoned to enjoy it..

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Copyright Kamal "The Diva" Larsuel-Ulbricht, 2005
EMAIL: thediva@3blackchicks.com
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