The Family Stone

Based on the previews for THE FAMILY STONE, I thought that I might enjoy it
moderately, at best. But The Family Stone is an ensemble
film with real chemistry. The long list of leads include:
Luke Wilson, Craig T. Nelson, Diane Keaton, Sarah Jessica
Parker, Rachel McAdams, Dermot Mulroney, and Claire
Danes.

To put all of these actors and actresses into a shared
piece of drama was the job of director Thomas Bezucha,
who handled the enormous task gracefully.

While making this film, the actors ate on the set together,
spent lots of time together while shooting and not shooting,
developing as a family on set, so that when Bezucha
yelled “Action” that transcended onto the
finished film.

Set during the Christmas holidays, our story begins
when Everett Stone (Mulroney) takes his girlfriend,
Meredith Morton (Parker), home with him to meet his
family.

From the onset, it seems painfully apparent that the
family dislikes her, and does not relate to her as she
awkwardly tries to reach out to them all.

Everett intends to propose to Meredith, but the Stone
clan struggles with the thought of her being an “in-law”.

Sarah Jessica Parker does a terrific job in the role
as Meredith, falling flat on her face in the attempt
at seeking acceptance from Everett’s family. Parker
was nominated deservedly at this year’s Golden
Globes for best actress for her role in this film.

The plotline is not completely unusual, leading some
of you to think maybe you have “seen it before.”
With the proper doses of humor, emotion, and dialogue,
the story raises itself above that confinement. We are
treated to such a complex range of interactions, and
relationships that it turns out both real and extremely
entertaining to view.

This film celebrates family, and life’s laughter
and sadness shared by each member respectively and collectively
in a family unit. I was impressed with this film’s
scope and how it brought out a tremendously balanced
story filled with unforgettable characters. The sincere
empathy with which these actors play their parts, make
you feel – for at least one hour and 43 minutes
- that you are peeking into an extraordinary family’s
Christmas-Gone-Wild.

Hysterically funny, well cast, and sharply written,
The Family Stone is a rare piece of cinematic magic.
An ensemble film that does not get bogged down by the
amount of famous actors in the movie, but takes them
and adds many satisfying layers to its presentation
and enjoyment. A truly rare exception to the rule that
the more stars there are in a film tend to overwhelm
you, and sink the ship.