RSS 2.0The Family Stone (2005)
Sarah Jessica Parker, who stole my heart what seems like many eons ago in Sex and the City, is pretty much establishing a career after the successful HBO series with roles in mediocre rom-coms. A couple of months ago none other than Jonathan ‘Woss’ was very excited about Parker’s part in The Family Stone. Being under the assumption Ross would not lend himself for some good old bribe, I was eagerly looking forward to see this flick, also considering its rather impressive cast including Diane Keaton, Claire Danes, Rachel McAdams, Dermot Mulroney and Owen Wilson.
I wasn’t too bothered with the large similarities the plot bears with comedies such as Meet the Parents (and its sequel Meet the Fockers). This film is part of a countless series of films that deal with a newcomer in a family. Parker plays Meredith, an uptight and control-freak business woman who is brought to the Stone family house for Christmas. The members of the huge and diverse family are immediately quite prejudiced against Meredith tanks to stories told by Amy, one of the daughters (Rachel McAdams). Meredith finds little comfort and support from her fiancée Everett (Mulroney) and seems to endlessly make wrong remarks as she tries too hard to fit in.
In charge is director Thomas Bezucha, who also penned the film’s screenplay. Besides the critically acclaimed Big Eden, The Family Stone is his second endeavour. His directing isn’t very special and it very soon becomes clear most of the zest comes from the film’s collective, extensive and admirable cast. Even though Parker is having a hard time shedding off her reputation of a shoe and fashion-loving cosmopolitan woman, her performance, that won her a Golden Globe nomination, is okay, yet not particularly exceptional or memorable.
In fact, there isn’t a single cast member who really excels, not even Keaton. The Family Stone doesn’t have the weight to truly impress, but neither is it a bad movie. It has just the right mix of drama and comedy. Some of the plot changes are rather cliché (not to mention some of the songs on the film’s soundtrack) and except for a single rather intense dinner scene there’s not much to write home about. The Family Stone will not last long in the viewer’s memory, as it quite simply lacks substance. It is, however, a good film to spend a pleasant evening with, even though it still makes me wonder why Ross was so extremely excited about this one. Maybe he just digs Parker… (or Keaton).
Directed by: Thomas Bezucha
Starring: Sarah Jessica Parker, Diane Keaton, Dermot Mulroney, Owen Wilson, Claire Danes, Rachel McAdams
Runtime: 102‘
Arjan Welles (213 posts)Arjan Welles - law graduate. I work at a bank, I work as a film critic for Dutch and English media. My favorite directors are David Lynch, David Fincher, Alfred Hitchcock, Steven Spielberg, Quentin Tarantino. I love arthouse over blockbusters.
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This movie stunk. The Trailers showed what appeared ot be some funny scenes, but it was slow tedious and showed how a Gay man can sit around and let his Mommy and Daddy defend him.
Comment by Paul — Wed June 14, 2006 @ 21:51yeah, it was fairly predictable, but i still like Sarah Jessica Parker’s performance. She is amazing in the kitchen scene beating those eggs to death.
The really annoying part of the movie is the feel good family crap. The way the Stones are all slightly quirky but definitely supportive and loving of each other. It makes anyone who sees this movie feel like crap. I left wondering “why isn’t my family so interesting and caring and WASPy?” Oh, right, because it’s Hollywood. Blech!
Comment by marisa — Thu June 15, 2006 @ 15:15