Home for the Holidays (1995)

"Well, that was absurd, let's eat dead bird!"

Claudia Larson (Hunter) is having a bad day.  She was fired from her art restoration job, kissed her boss, and learned that her daughter Kitt (Danes) is planning to lose her virginity over the weekend.  She is flying back to Baltimore for Thanksgiving with her parents, which she is dreading.

Her parents, Henry (Durning) and Adele (Bancroft), are overbearing and overwhelming.  Henry plays the organ and washes any car that sits in his driveway.  Adele wears a red wig and wants to know everything that happens in the lives of her children.  That evening, Claudia's brother Tommy (Downey Jr.), arrives with his friend Leo Fish (McDermott).  The next day the Larson family gathers for Thanksgiving, including Adele's odd sister Aunt Glady (Chaplin), and Claudia's sister Joanne (Stevenson) and her family.  Can the family survive the holidays?


Many people dread heading home for the holidays, but watching this film will help you feel better about your own family.  This was the second film directed by Jodie Foster (following Little Man Tate in 1991).

Holly Hunter grounds the film.  She is sympathetic, but still strong.  The cast is filled with big name actors / actresses who give big performances.  It all works well here and is an enjoyable holiday film.

Home for the Holidays (1995) 103 minutes
Rating: PG-13 for thematic material, language and brief drug use
Director: Jodie Foster
Starring: Holly Hunter as Claudia Larson
Robert Downey Jr. as Tommy Larson
Anne Bancroft as Adele Larson
Dylan McDermott as Leo Fish
Geraldine Chaplin as Aunt Glady
Steve Guttenberg as Walter Wedman
Claire Danes as Kitt Larson
Cynthia Stevenson as Joanne Larson Wedman
Charles Durning as Henry Larson