The Family Stone Movie Review

Cast: Diane Keaton, Claire Danes, Dermot Mulroney, Sarah Jessica Parker, Rachel McAdams, Luke Wilson, Craig T. Nelson, Elizabeth Reaser, Ty Giordino, Brian White
Director: Thomas Bezucha
Screenplay: Thomas Bezucha
Genre: Drama/Comedy/Romance
Rated: M mature themes
Running Time: 103 Minutes

Feel The Love.

Synopsis:
'The Family Stone' is a comic story about the annual holiday gathering of a New England family, the Stones. The eldest son brings his girlfriend home to meet his parents, brothers and sisters. The bohemian Stones greet their visitor - a high-powered, controlling New Yorker - with a mix of awkwardness, confusion and hostility. Before the holiday is over, relationships will unravel while new ones are formed, secrets will be revealed, and the family Stone will come together through its extraordinary capacity for love.

My Verdict:
'The Family Stone' takes place one Christmas in New England at the family home of Sybil and Kelly Stone (Diane Keaton and Craig T. Nelson) where they raised their five children. The family re-unites each Christmas but on this occasion, the eldest child, Everett (Dermot Mulroney) is bringing his girlfriend, Meredith Morton (Sarah Jessica Parker) to meet the family for the first time.

Meredith is an uptight person and instantly creates tensions amongst the family, including Everett's siblings, Amy (Rachel McAdams), Ben (Luke Wilson), Susannah (Elizabeth Reaser) and the youngest Thad (Ty Giordano), who just happens to be deaf and gay.

It is Everett's intention to ask Meredith to marry him, and as the eldest, Sybil promised that her mother's engagement ring would be his to give to his future wife - the family stone. After meeting Meredith, none of the family wants Everett to marry her and that's when the real fun and games begins. Meanwhile Meredith, feeling very isolated, telephones her sister Julie (Claire Danes) for support and invites her to the gathering. Add to this mix is a revelation that will shock the family to the core and make them all reassess their lives.

With such a talented ensemble cast, 'The Family Stone' is just about guaranteed to be a winner and it does have a reasonably balanced mix of comedy and drama but the time frame doesn't allow for too much character background - we have to get to know the Stones in the here and now. Standout performances come from Sarah Jessica Parker who is very, very good at being stuck-up and obnoxious; Rachel McAdams covers the outspoken rebellious daughter well and Diane Keaton is well, typical Diane Keaton, not that that is a problem.

For anyone who has a family that is diverse, challenging and still maintains the core belief that family comes first, then 'The Family Stone' will elicit empathetic responses and emotions. Cultures, sexuality, life and death are some of the subjects covered from many angles in this brief visit with the Stones, which is often funny and at times, heart breaking.

With a satisfying conclusion, 'The Family Stone' is a well-rounded tale of a family bound by the blood-is-thicker-than-water rule but who are still able to let others into their clan. This family is worth knowing.

Rating : ***½

Christina Bruce