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Actors: Sarah Jessica Parker, Diane Keaton, Rachel McAdams, Claire Danes, Dermot Mulroney, Luke Wilson, Craig Nelson
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| Review Summary and Plot Commentary about The Family Stone |
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Meredith is an uptight over-worked highly tightly wound mid 20's female in NewYork. She's going home with her boyfriend (actually her boss of sorts)to his family house and large family for Chrismas. Totally neurotic and nervous she's fretting from the first moment in the car on their trip. Upon arriving Everett's family (her guy) has already begun to pick her apart, from the fact she chatters and talks constantly when nervous tot he personal tick of throat clearing. Now Meredith ( Sarah Jessica Parker) is trying her best, attempting to be a gracious guest. Refused to sleep in the same bed/ room as Everett, which only causes more family discord. He's planned on getting the family wedding ring of his Grandmother's and asking Meredith to marry him. Various hijinx and maladys occur, from the game of charades where her clue is "The Bride Wore Black" and Meredith happens to extend a finger (now I wont say she pointed.. you be the judge) at Thadd's partner Patrick, to the Strata she makes for everyone's breakfast X-mas morning that includes mushrooms; which Everett is allergic to. Meanwhile back at the family stone ranch, Ben the oldest, screw-up, child has arrived. He happens to take an instant likeing to Meredith. Meredith on the other hand is so distraught over the entire family disliking her and not giv ing her a chance that she moves to the local Inn and calls her sister Julie to join them. Julie (Calire Danes) arrives, cluelessly falling at the feet of her unknown suitor to be. Sybil (Diane Keaton the matriah of the family Stone) has been ill perviously and lost a breast due to cancer... she is sick again although not telling anyone else in the family. Kelly (Craig T.) is hiddng that fact and try to make his family nice and welcoming for the newcomers.
THis is the dysfunctional family's "It's a Wonderful Life".
--Erika Gardner, Resident Scholar
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An unmarried couple go to visit family in the Northeast - her first visit. Most of the Stones are mean people but especially the youngest daughter but initially presented as a fun, loving family. And the Stones (3 brothers and 2 sisters) let Sarah Jessica Parker's character (Meredith) know they do not like her. They pick on her, make fun of her, refuse to allow her to participate and fight among themselves about her in front of her and behind her back. She finally leaves but only to go to a local B&B and asks her sister to come stay with her. Dermot Mulroney's (Everett) brother, played by Luke Wilson (Ben), begins to fall for Meredith while Everett begins to fall for Claire Danes (Julie, Meredith's sister) - an odd trading of partners that is completely obvious throughout the film. There is a strange cancer theme running through the film that is not made clear until the last fourth of the film.
--Jody T. Bixby, Resident Scholar
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| Analysis of The Family Stone |
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Time/era of movie:
- present (2000-2010)
Romance/Love/Hugging
Yes
Kind of romance:
- love triangle/polygon
Family, struggling with
Yes
Struggle with:
- In-laws
Main Character
Identity:
- Female
Profession/status:
- business executive
Age:
- 20's-30's
Is this an ordinary person caught up in events?
Yes
Hair color?
- brunette (Brown)
Hair type
- (woman) medium/shoulderlgn wavey
- (woman) long wavey
Body type
- (woman) skinny
- (woman) ample bosom & buttocks
Unclothed?
- Slightly see-through clothes
Events of movie makes character more...
- caring
- happy
Ethnicity/Nationality
- White (American)
How sensitive is this character?
- sensitive to others' feelings
- hard edged
Sense of humor?
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- average physique
- healthy but a geeky weakling
Secondary Main Character
Identity:
- Male
Hair color
- brunette (Brown)
Hair style
- (man) short/standard straight
Body type
- (man) average build
How much in movie?
- 60%
Ethnicity/Nationality
- White (American)
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Female
Age:
- 20's-30's
- long-lived adults
Profession/status:
- homemaker/wife
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- 40%
Hair color
- brunette (Brown)
Hair type
- (woman) medium/shoulderlgn straight
- (woman) medium/shoulderlgn wavey
Body type
- (woman) skinny
- (woman) ample chest and buttocks
Ethnicity/Nationality
- White (American)
How sensitive is this character?
- mean, arrogant
Sense of humor
- Cynical sense of humor
Intelligence
- Average intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- average physique
- physically sick
Setting
United States
Yes
The US:
- Northeast
Small town?
Yes
Small town people:
- nice, like Andy/Opie/Aunt Bee
Misc setting
- resort/hotel
- bar
Style
Accounts of torture and death?
- no torture/death
Movie makes you feel...
- depressed/sad
- all mixed up
Any profanity?
- Occasional swearing
- Some foul language
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Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s). | |
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