Thank goodness this isn't my family! Practically every review I have read about this film has been negative, and most comments about the film are negative (look at the discussion boards on imdb.com). What is it that people hate about this film?
Sarah Jessica Parker stars as Meredith, an uptight workaholic and perfectionist. She dresses well and is posessive of her clothing (especially her shoes). She is dating Everett (Mulroney), the oldest son of the Stone family. He is the stereotypical perfect oldest son, good job, well-liked, attractive, etc. Everett decides to bring Meredith home with him to meet his family and get THE ring from his mother so he can propose. Of course, his family hates Meredith and they clash over just about every topic.
Although it is not revealed till later, his mother Sybil (Keaton) is dying from cancer and wants to see her son with the right girl, which is obviously not Meredith. She is very protective of her family, and does not make life easy for Meredith. His father, Kelly (Craig T. Nelson) is more of a free-spirit and is caught (or accused) or smoking pot throughout the film. His brother, Ben, follows in the footsteps of their father (also smokes pot) and is just a wild and crazy guy. His baby sister Amy (McAdams) is bitter...and coincidentally the only single member of the family. She does not like Meredith, and is the only member of the family who meets her before this "special visit". His other sister Susannah (Elizabeth Reaser) is married (although we barely see her husband), and pregnant. Her daughter Elizabeth is also around to reak havoc. Susannah is not really a major character like the rest of the family, and does not appear in as many scenes (which is sad, since she is the most likeable member of the family). His other brother, Tad (Tyrone Giordano) is deaf and gay...a deadly combination for Meredith (who manages to insult him in many different ways). Tad's boyfriend Patrick (Brian White), is a well-loved member of the family, and the most accepting of Meredith (since he knows what it's like to join the Stone family). When Meredith can't handle much more of the family, and their extreme dislike for her, she calls her sister Julie (Claire Danes) to come to her rescue. The family LOVES Julie, and she joins their ranks thus not helping Meredith at all.
My biggest problem with the film is the Stone family: they are supposed to be this loving and open family, but they are unable to accept the woman Everett wants to marry. For the majority of the film they are unwilling to even try to get to know her or like her...but, Meredith is also a difficult character to like: she makes obtuse statements without thinking and is just overly unrealistic. I can understand what Bezucha was trying to do, and I respect him for it...and the acting is excellent, BUT it is hard to empathize with these characters...
Don't waste your money: it's not a classic, there have been other family films which have been made better that deal with the same issues.
Watch while doing homework: if you do watch it...some parts are unnecessary to understand the film, so either just skip to the good parts or do something else at the same time (i know it sounds harsh...but thats how it is)
Sarah Jessica Parker stars as Meredith, an uptight workaholic and perfectionist. She dresses well and is posessive of her clothing (especially her shoes). She is dating Everett (Mulroney), the oldest son of the Stone family. He is the stereotypical perfect oldest son, good job, well-liked, attractive, etc. Everett decides to bring Meredith home with him to meet his family and get THE ring from his mother so he can propose. Of course, his family hates Meredith and they clash over just about every topic.
Although it is not revealed till later, his mother Sybil (Keaton) is dying from cancer and wants to see her son with the right girl, which is obviously not Meredith. She is very protective of her family, and does not make life easy for Meredith. His father, Kelly (Craig T. Nelson) is more of a free-spirit and is caught (or accused) or smoking pot throughout the film. His brother, Ben, follows in the footsteps of their father (also smokes pot) and is just a wild and crazy guy. His baby sister Amy (McAdams) is bitter...and coincidentally the only single member of the family. She does not like Meredith, and is the only member of the family who meets her before this "special visit". His other sister Susannah (Elizabeth Reaser) is married (although we barely see her husband), and pregnant. Her daughter Elizabeth is also around to reak havoc. Susannah is not really a major character like the rest of the family, and does not appear in as many scenes (which is sad, since she is the most likeable member of the family). His other brother, Tad (Tyrone Giordano) is deaf and gay...a deadly combination for Meredith (who manages to insult him in many different ways). Tad's boyfriend Patrick (Brian White), is a well-loved member of the family, and the most accepting of Meredith (since he knows what it's like to join the Stone family). When Meredith can't handle much more of the family, and their extreme dislike for her, she calls her sister Julie (Claire Danes) to come to her rescue. The family LOVES Julie, and she joins their ranks thus not helping Meredith at all.
My biggest problem with the film is the Stone family: they are supposed to be this loving and open family, but they are unable to accept the woman Everett wants to marry. For the majority of the film they are unwilling to even try to get to know her or like her...but, Meredith is also a difficult character to like: she makes obtuse statements without thinking and is just overly unrealistic. I can understand what Bezucha was trying to do, and I respect him for it...and the acting is excellent, BUT it is hard to empathize with these characters...
Don't waste your money: it's not a classic, there have been other family films which have been made better that deal with the same issues.
Watch while doing homework: if you do watch it...some parts are unnecessary to understand the film, so either just skip to the good parts or do something else at the same time (i know it sounds harsh...but thats how it is)
Director: Thomas Bezucha
Starring: Diane Keaton as Sybil
Sarah Jessica Parker as Meredith
Luke Wilson as Ben
Rachel McAdams as Amy
Dermont Mulroney as Everett
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