This dramedy has a keen eye for family politics, especially when one member brings home someone they don't particularly like.
Everett Stone (Dermot Mulroney, ABOUT SCHMIDT) is bringing his uptight, conservative girlfriend Meredith Morton (Sarah Jessica Parker, TV's SEX IN THE CITY) home to meet his liberal family during Christmas. His cynical, college-aged sister Amy (Rachel McAdams, THE NOTEBOOK) has already met Meredith and doesn't paint her is a positive light for the rest of family. Matriarch Sybil (Diane Keaton, SOMETHING'S GOTTA GIVE) doesn't want Everett to marry Meredith, because she thinks that he can do better. His father Kelly (Craig T. Nelson, TV's COACH) wants to stay out of the fray. However, Everett's frumpy brother Ben (Luke Wilson, THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS) thinks Meredith is quite remarkable. The other Stone's include deaf and gay Thad (Tyrone Giordano, A LOT LIKE LOVE), Thad's African-American, significant other Patrick (Brian J. White, BRICK), pregnant Susannah (Elizabeth Reaser, STAY) and Susannah's young daughter Elizabeth (Savannah Stehlin).
Writer/director Thomas Bezucha (BIG EDEN) attains brilliance when dealing with the family dynamics and how that affects Meredith, who seems unable to say or do anything right. It gets so bad for her that she has to call in her sister Julie (Claire Danes, ROMEO + JULIET) for moral support. Still, a wonderfully written dinner episode goes tragically wrong as Meredith digs herself in deeper and deeper as she desperately tries to explain herself but to no success.
Yet, the film loses a lot of its credibility with a partner swap involving Everett, Meredith, Ben and Julie. It might have worked, but in this timeframe and with several of the characters just meeting, it just doesn't work. Nonetheless, the well-developed characters and their interactions allow the film to overcome its contrived romantic comedy underpinnings.
Keaton and Nelson bring great depth and honesty to their roles. Parker has a tough assignment, but along with director Bezucha, she is able to generate a good deal of sympathy for the annoying character. McAdams again proves that she has great range and is one of the best young actresses working today. With its honest moments and its keen eye for its characters, THE FAMILY STONE succeeds in overcoming its weaker parts to provide a smart family tale that understands its tough to maneuver the touchy world of family when you're a newcomer… sometimes even when you've been a member all your life.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
