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The Family Stone
2005
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44 %
52 %
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$ 0 Million
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The Family Stone
Positive Reviews
65
Negative reviews
18
Average Rating
3.2
/5
delicious
romantic
entertaining
heartbreaking
serious
All
Positive
Negative
3.0
Whats striking and, to my bloodshot eye, welcome about this years edition, The Family Stone, is the rather chic urbanity with which writer director Th ..
EW
3.8
There is an emerging genre of movies about family reunions at holiday time.It seems to be a truth universally acknowledged that most reunions at Chris ..
Rogerebert
1.5
And while Bamford does a serviceable job in keeping your attention, youre still left with the impression that his directorial vision doesnt realize th ..
Austin Chronicle
2.0
An actress with an edge of ego and intractability would have worked much better.
3.0
Writer/director Thomas Bezucha (Big Eden)s likable film runs the gamut of emotions hitting tenderness, rage, remorse, and everything in between but it ..
4.4
Bezuchas film accurately captures the forlorn hysteria of those few days when love should be the primary emotion and not judgmental claustrophobia.
E Film Critic
1.3
A feel bad holiday film about a repellent family, with a milquetoast dad and a smug, devious harpy of a mom.
San Francisco Chronicle
3.0
Although in danger of being unable to decide what kind of film it wants to be, a well written script and well judged performances make this a family o ..
2.0
It fails to be funny because of the consistently inhumane actions of the characters, and it misses on realism due to the improbable scenarios thrown i ..
Cinema Blend
3.0
But with grand casts come grand responsibilities, primary of which is to make sure that each of those characters is developed and means something to t ..
JoBlo
3.1
So check your disbelief at the door, bring along a mini packet of Kleenex, and brace yourself for Two Ply and the Family Stone.
The Globe And Mail
4.0
This well acted family drama is overflowing with rich and telling moments of genuine emotional vibrancy.
Spirituality And Practice
2.0
Yet another of those dysfunctional family at the holidays movies that aim to elicit smiles of recognition but are more likely to make you wince in pai ..
One Guys Opinion
3.0
One of those cloying familiar whacky holiday formulaic sitcom drama/comedies that is what it is.
Sover
3.8
Its worth mentioning that this is the best adult holiday film in a while.
ReelViews
3.1
The Family Stone (2005) 2 1/2 Stars (out of 4) Tweet Rock in a Scarred Place By Jeffrey M. Anderson Designed as another one of those chaos at the holi ..
Combust Ible Celluloid
3.0
Wilsons likable enough crossing his usual low key charm with a little of brother Owens stoner schtick.
3.8
At least this holiday entertainment shows a little heart, even if its flashing in neon on its sleeve.
Usa Today
3.0
This is a wildly uneven, poorly written film without much entertainment value.
Lariat
3.0
But the performances are uniformly solid and intelligent always funny, never silly and while some may roll their eyes at the outrageous fantasyland th ..
Eric Ds Nider
2.0
Writer director Thomas Bezucha has a fine ensemble cast (Claire Danes also drops in); too bad all he gives them to work with are predictable situation ..
News Review
4.0
The characters maintain their complexity through fine writing and superior performances.
Shadows On The Wall
2.0
Disappointing and ultimately irritating film that fails on several counts, despite a handful of strong performances.
View London
3.0
Not so sly Family Stone Could we please declare a moratorium on funny sad movies about dysfunctional families, especially families that come together ..
Cs Monitor
1.5
The farcical elements are much too loaded to provide any real fun, and the Stones come off more as sanctimonious, politically correct left wing prigs ..
Film Journal International ..
3.1
The film ping pongs between wacky comedy and heavy drama, and it is so heavy on plot and character that it takes on a sitcomlike quality.
Deseret News (Salt Lake Ci ..
3.1
The movie is a holiday romantic comedy that wants to put the holiday romantic comedy out of business.
Boston
3.5
One of those films that succeeds not because it surprises you, but because it does what you want it to do and it does so pretty well.
Mountain X
3.1
http://www.startribune.com Vikings running back Dalvin Cook is practicing on a limited basis as camp begins, this time without the brace supporting hi ..
Star Tribune
4.5
Writer/ director Thomas Bezucha has come seemingly out of nowhere with this smart and insightful flick, which is just mean enough not to be sappy, and ..
3.8
You have to keep living your life: Survivors of the Yonge St. van attack send comfort to the Danforth Three months later, the people of Willowdale are ..
Toronto Star
2.0
Taking the fish out of water concept to the extreme, this old fashioned holiday comedy tries to revive Capras zany screwball comedies like You Cant Ta ..
Emanuellevy
2.5
The serious illness of one character casts a pall over the holiday get together, and the films silly pratfalls failed to cheer me up.
Reel Talk Reviews
4.0
This film can be laugh out loud funny, and it can be heartbreaking.
Cinema Crazed
4.0
This is a family, and a movie, where everyone talks at once and more often than youd think, its characters actually come up with something worth sayin ..
Salon
3.0
Her Sybil is an unusual but irresistible combination of warmth and tartness, of the determinedly upbeat and the haunted.
Slate
4.5
Sometimes laugh out loud funny, sometimes briefly contemplative, other times plain sad, the film is well paced and cleverly edited.
3.0
Bittersweet Christmas storys plot wont resonate with younger teens.
Common Sense Media
3.0
Bezucha hammers the point home a little too strongly in a tear jerking finale, but despite its flaws, The Family Stone sparkles bright with originalit ..
Bbc
3.8
In the end, the film balances being airy and entertaining and silly and honest and biting and a little sad without any one element overshadowing the o ..
The Movie Boy
2.5
Despite these standouts, The Family Stone ultimately doesnt know what it wants to be.
Bullz-Eye
3.5
Hollywood is always making family comedies, but they are rarely about real families: relations who are as difficult as they are wonderful, people who ..
Calendar Live
4.4
And what makes The Family Stone stand out even more is how Bezucha truly defines the term dramedy.
Hollywood
2.0
... pleasant enough company, but its a bit like playing charades with the same titles over and over.
Seattle Pi
3.8
Family is a four letter word in the literate and smartly acerbic Christmas comedic drama The Family Stone, a relationship smorgasbord of acting talent ..
Movie Freak
3.5
The movie never figures out if it wants to be a serious indie family drama or a mainstream comedy.
3.5
Remarkably for a Hollywood movie, this very entertaining comedy proves that the outward good cheer and inward bad vibes of the Christmas season can no ..
Herald Sun
3.5
After a bit of a rocky start, The Family Stone blossoms into a beautifully crafted morass of dysfunctionality.
7M Pictures
1.3
Look, the real wonder of WW84 is that this maybe isnt the worst thing about it.
Film Freak Central
3.8
Its all fairly obvious and manipulative, though it manages to pander no more than average, and does contain a fair bit of wry humor and wit.
Boxoffice Magazine
3.0
So, despite its flaws, there is plenty to like, just like any family.
E Online
2.5
The only surprise is bound to be the great numbers of people who will ignore the story logic and premise with all its tasteless prejudice and anti hol ..
Varia Gate
1.9
All of this might still have made for an entertaining movie if any of the characters were remotely likable and or interesting.
Three Movie Buffs
3.8
The University of Missouri has closed its investigation of Terrence Phillips and did not find enough evidence to support allegations of rape, stalking ..
Kansas City
3.0
As far as cinematic dream dads go, Atticus Finch has some serious competition.
The Stranger
2.5
While inviting and quickly captivating, the story simply asks too much of us.
Ross Anthony
2.5
Sometimes The Family Stone is hilarious, but, more often than not, it is a hard hitting drama.
Waffle Movies
3.8
You can imagine how chaotic the Stones Christmas will become, causing both laughs and tears.
Montreal Film Journal
3.0
All this proves that writer director Thomas Bezucha is on the side of the angels and all of it rings utterly false.
News Week
3.5
You will be able to save yourself from getting disappointed of watching nothing but a lame movie.
Window To The Movies
3.8
Director screenwriter Thomas Bezucha deflects cloying sentiment with wit and eccentricity, touching your funny bone as often as your heart.
Chron
1.5
In the aggregate, though, its a fractious Christmas spent with unpleasant relatives youd rather avoid.
Or Lando Weekly
3.0
Although Stone has some problems, its still a film that works thanks to a very agreeable cast.
Bowling Green Daily News
3.0
This is pleasing holiday fare that may stay with you through the first months of 2006.
Guide Live
4.0
Its the kind of warm hearted, insightful comedy that should become a holiday viewing tradition.
Jam! Movies
3.8
Suddenly were wiping away tears, glancing around to make sure no one noticed we had fallen for this steaming cup of melodrama.
Denver Post
3.0
A terrific screwball comedy in its own right, like a more erudite Meet the Parents.
Film Blather
4.4
just when it seems were going to be stuck with nothing more than a well played, holidays are hell comedy, Bezucha spins the story in a different, far ..
James Sanford on Film
3.8
One of the things I like about The Family Stone is that the characters seem real. They may have some quirks, but theyre realistic quirks, not those de ..
Aisle Seat
3.8
Well either fix the issue to your satisfaction or issue you a full, immediate refund.Just let us know we want you to be happy!
Movie Eye
1.5
The romantic realignments, which come later in the film, become transparent almost immediately.
Vulture
4.0
Writer director Thomas Bezucha juggles huge, heartfelt laughs with big, heart won tears.
Orlando Sentinel
5.0
The movie feels sentimental but never cheesy: Our allegiances shift throughout, until we decide everyone deserves our sympathy, everyone has reasons.
Toledo Blade
2.0
What was supposed to be a jewel turns out to be a simple Christmas trinket.
Detroit News
2.0
Not the kind of family youd want to spend an hour with, much less a weekend.
Compuserve
2.5
The films occasional random pratfalls seem a desperation tactic.)
Seattle Times
3.0
Go ahead throw the first stone. Throw it right at the screen. Take aim, wind up and let the rocks rip.
Week In Rewind
3.0
Even with an empty tank of ideas by the end of the picture, Stone still remains worthy of a view, providing that desired blast of familial idiosyncras ..
Film Jerk
4.4
The Family Stone is a movie for everyone, especially during the holidays.
Premiere Magazine
4.5
I dont mind being manipulated as long as its done well, and writer/director Thomas Bezucha knows how to steer an audience. A great first studio film f ..
Supercala.com
2.5
I cant think of an instance in which a film went from under the radar to wildly overhyped with the same speed as The Family Stone.
Zap2it.com
3.1
The Family Stone should have been a glittering holiday bauble along the lines of the irresistible Love Actually. Instead, Bezucha stuffs into our stoc ..
Miami Herald
3.1
The Family Stone could have been worse. This dysfunctional family comedy could have been directed by critics darling Wes Anderson...
4.5
Dare I say that even Jane Austen herself would have delighted in the final triumph of Ms. Knightleys quick witted Elizabeth in this film Yes, I do, an ..
Ny Observer
4.5
Its honest and theres always a good piece of comedy when the script comes close to a Full House moment of life lessons learned complete with a backgro ..
Movie Views
1.9
Strangely, though, its not an overdose of sentimentality that makes the family and the film so hard to buy. Its that most of its members are so blithe ..
Sign On Sandiego
2.5
A miserable misfire that might explain why so many people take their own lives during the holidays.
Imdb
4.5
This film is clearly a vehicle for Parker. We wouldnt want to waste all the Sex and the City steam now would we
4.0
Thomas Bezucha applies just the right light touch to the film, layering in strong dollops of wit, wackiness and warmth, making it among the best of it ..
Democratand Chronicle
1.5
The Family Stone carries itself like a shotgun wedding at a drive through Vegas wedding chapel. The romance is rushed, but its pretty darn entertainin ..
Rich Mond
4.0
The third act is marred by a moment of triteness that is uncharacteristic of the delicious and subtle complexity of the rest of the movie. Not your st ..
Cinerina
2.5
at times approximates the cozy hostility that can permeate real life family gatherings. But then the movies snap turns to sap, and edgy comedy becomes ..
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The Family Stone