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MOVIES / ON DVD / THE FAMILY STONE
The Family Stone

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The Family Stone (2005)

53%
86%
63%
N/A
N/A
N/A
53 %
Reviews Counted: 148 Fresh: 78  Rotten:70 Average Rating: 5.9/10
 
Consensus: This family holiday dramedy features fine performances but awkward shifts of tone.
 

How does the Tomatometer work?

The Tomatometer measures the percentage of positive reviews from Approved Tomatometer Critics for a certain movie.[-]

Rated: PG

Runtime: 1 hr 46 mins

Theatrical Release: 16-12-2005

Synopsis: Destined to be a Christmas classic, Thomas Bezucha's dazzling dramedy, THE FAMILY STONE, manages to be both warmhearted and sentimental while possessing a razor-sharp hilarious mean streak. The fairly conventional story centers on Sarah Jessica Parker's uptight career woman,... Destined to be a Christmas classic, Thomas Bezucha's dazzling dramedy, THE FAMILY STONE, manages to be both warmhearted and sentimental while possessing a razor-sharp hilarious mean streak. The fairly conventional story centers on Sarah Jessica Parker's uptight career woman, Meredith, and her run-in with the eponymous Stone family. With her permanently pursed lips and severe bun, SJP looks and acts the anti-Carrie Bradshaw here as, armed with cell phone and business-suit collection, she gears up to meet her fiance's oddball family, a tight-knit, colorful clan who border on bohemian. Matriarch Sybil (Diane Keaton) and patriarch Kelly (Craig T. Nelson) are a loving couple whose diverse children are affectionate and respectful. When Meredith's humorless aura infects the homestead, it is mom Sybil and sister Amy (Rachel McAdams), who sense a romantic mismatch and attack her venomously, sparking a tete-a-tete-a-tete between three feisty females. While this Battle Royal is waged, dramatic subplots brew in the background, one involving the deaf and gay brother Thad's desire to adopt a child, and the other a rather devastating secret on the verge of exposure. It is in the emergence of Meredith's refreshingly calm and breezy younger sister, Julie (Claire Danes), entering the film with a dramatic fall from a bus exit, that brings all conflict to a head. [More]

Genre: Dramas

Starring: Sarah Jessica Parker, Diane Keaton, Rachel McAdams, Claire Danes, Dermot Mulroney

Director: Thomas Bezucha
Producer: Michael London

DVD Info

Release:

Mar 4, 2009

[DVD Details]

DVD Features:

  • Region 1
  • Keep Case
  • Widescreen - 2.35

Audio:

  • Dolby Surround 5.1 - English
  • Dolby Surround - French, Spanish
  • Subtitles - English, Spanish - Optional

Additional Release Material:

  • Audio Commentary - 1. Sarah Jessica Parker, Dermot Mulroney - Stars
  • 2. Thomas Bezucha - Director; Michael London - Producer; Jeffrey Ford - Editor
  • Behind the Scenes - 1. Featurette
  • 2. "Fox Movie Channel presents Casting Session"
  • 3. "Fox Movie Channel presents World Premiere"
  • 4. "Inside Look: ICE AGE 2"
  • Deleted Scenes - With Optional Commentary (6)
  • Interviews - Cast Members (Q&A)
  • Outtakes - Gag Reel
  • Trailers - 1. Theatrical Trailer
  • 2. CONFETTI
  • 3. LITTLE MANHATTAN
  • 4. JUST MY LUCK

Interactive Features:

  • Games - 1. Family Stone sings "It Came Upon A Midnight Clear"
  • 2. Snow Globe Ambulance

Reviews

 
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1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 >> >|
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N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review | comment Comment
01/20/07
Philip French
Observer [UK]
N/R

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Full Review | comment Comment
06/24/06
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
Ratings Image
3/5

Click to read the article

Full Review | comment Comment
04/01/06
Empire Magazine
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Ratings Image
2/5

Disappointing and ultimately irritating film that fails on several counts, despite a handful of strong performances.

Full Review | comment Comment
12/17/05
Matthew Turner
ViewLondon
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review | comment Comment
12/17/05
Peter Bradshaw
Guardian [UK]
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Ratings Image
2/5

Just desolately average.

Full Review | comment Comment
12/17/05
Joe Utichi
FilmFocus
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review | comment Comment
12/16/05
David Edwards
Daily Mirror [UK]
Ratings Image
3/5

Despite its flaws, The Family Stone sparkles bright with originality.

Full Review | comment Comment
12/13/05
Stella Papamichael
BBC
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
Ratings Image
4/5

Bezucha deftly avoids stereotypes to bring us an entertaining and honest family comedy.

Full Review | comment Comment
12/02/05
Rich Cline
Shadows on the Wall
Ratings Image
N/A

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 than enchanting.

Full Review | comment Comment
03/01/07
David Noh
Film Journal International
Ratings Image
2.5/4

The movie feels a lot like slacker brother Ben: a little sloppy, mostly predictable, some flashes of poignancy and wisdom, but ultimately doesn't live up to its potential.

Full Review | comment Comment
09/22/06
Camerin Courtney
Christianity Today
Ratings Image
1.5/4

a gob of yuletide Play-Doh

Full Review | comment Comment
08/21/06
Jay Antani
Perihelion Journal
Ratings Image
N/A

What's so refreshing about Thomas Bezucha's The Family Stone is how it plays off of genre expectations and effortlessly switches back and forth between comedy, romance and tragedy.

Full Review | comment Comment
07/29/06
Ryan Cracknell
Movie Views
Ratings Image
2/5

Click to read the article

Full Review | comment Comment
05/12/06
Jim Lane
Sacramento News & Review
Ratings Image
4/5

Tocante sem ser melodramático, desenvolve bem seus personagens, cujas interações soam sempre reais. Além disso, o filme oscila com segurança entre o drama e a comédia e conta com um elenco formidável.

comment Comment
04/14/06
Pablo Villaca
Cinema em Cena
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1.5/5

Click to read the article

Full Review | comment Comment
03/18/06
James Kendrick
Q Network Film Desk
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N/A

...turns from endearing to phony even before the first carol is sung.

Full Review | comment Comment
02/21/06
Todd Jorgenson
Denton Record Chronicle (TX)
Ratings Image
N/A

.

Full Review | comment Comment
02/17/06
Kamal 'The Diva' Larsuel
3BlackChicks Review
Ratings Image
N/A

Even though it's convenient, somewhat predictable, and manipulative, The Family Stone will melt your heart.

Full Review | comment Comment
02/04/06
John Larsen
Light Views
Ratings Image
2/5

Una comedia dramática absolutamente menor, con personajes potencialmente atractivos pero finalmente inverosímiles y estereotipados.

Full Review | comment Comment
01/31/06
Enrique Buchichio
Uruguay Total
1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 >> >|
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