Synopsis – Although their relationship works in the city, things begin to fall apart for buttoned-up Manhattanites Everett (Dermot Mulroney) and Meredith (Sarah Jessica Parker) when they visit the suburbs for the holidays to stay with Everett’s family. Sarah’s first meeting with Everett’s parents (Diane Keaton and Craig T. Nelson) proves so traumatic that she calls in her sister (Claire Danes) for backup — a move that only makes Christmas more complicated. On the outside this film looks like your typical Hollywood portrayal of a functionally dysfunctional family during the holidays and it is. On the inside though, there is much better writing and directing. Everett’s parents can’t seem to understand what Everett sees in Meredith after meeting her. Both she and Everett work extremely hard to win the blessings of the parents, and the rest of the family after figuring that out, but to no avail. Needless to say the comedy comes following that revelation. It isn’t all comedy though. It has a very serious undertone to it since early in the film it is revealed Everett’s mother has been diagnosed with cancer for the second time in her life and she seems to know to she’s going to succumb to it.

Highlights:

Meredith’s decision to have an open discussion with the parents about their acceptance of one son’s choice to live an alternative lifestyle while having dinner with the whole family. The discussion gets so heated dad has to chime in!

Everett coming to the realization that he doesn’t really love Meredith but instead finds himself smitten by her sister. Meredith subsequently falls for Everett’s brother played by Luke Wilson who just happens to be my favorite character in the film.

It’s worth a watch IMO.

The Family Stone was written and directed by Thomas Bezucha. It also stars Tyrone Giordano, Brian White, Elizabeth Reazer, Savannah Stehlin, and Paul Schneider.