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The main thing dogging this impressively cast family drama is the many unanswered whys and the uneven pacing. The first third of the movie is Meredith vs. the Stones. The next third moves to romantic comedy/drama, which culminates in a slapstick sequence of brother-chasing-brother through the house and Meredith, Amy, and Sybil dropping an uncooked casserole on the floor (cue the requisite sloppy slip-sliding). The final third offers more family drama, with a few somber discussions about the serious illness in the family. I found myself tearing up at once poignant scene and then soon after slapping my forehead at the sheer cheesyness of another. These various emotions and themes can coexist in one movie, and when they do so well, it's golden. But that requires careful finessing and well-written transitions. For the most part, those don't exist here.

Julie Morton (Claire Danes, seated) gets to know Stone family members Sybil, Thad (Ty Giordano), Kelly (Craig T. Nelson) and Everett

The thing is, I wanted to like this movie. Who doesn't enjoy a good family drama that captures well the goofy joy and awkward dysfunction of family holiday gatherings? And this one had a lot going for it. I mean Rachel McAdams, Craig T. Nelson, and Luke Wilson are the kind of people I want to do coffee with. They're just likable. And some of the situations this talented cast is given are relatable and funny and poignant. But the overall plot and pacing kept getting in the way. Some things are belabored (the annoying girlfriend bit, the homosexual conversation) and others aren't explored enough (why do various love interests like each other?). And couldn't the writers have put a little more creativity and unexpectedness into the characters instead of drawing on so many stereotypes? This talented cast does the best they can with what they're given; I just wish they'd been given more.

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

Talk About It

1. Do you think Meredith and Everett really love each other? If so, why? If not, what are they doing together? His mom offers a theory—do you think she's right?
   
   
2. Do you think Meredith was wise or foolish to check into the inn? Have you ever "run away" from family friction? When is that a wise boundary and when is it failure to deal with the issues at hand?
   
   
3. Meredith seems universally disliked by the Stones. Is there a "black sheep" in your family? Who—and why? Is there anything you can do this holiday season to help create or restore harmony with that person?
   
   
4. What are your views on the dinner-table discussion of nature vs. nurture in homosexuals?
   
   
5. What do you think about who pairs off with whom by the end of the movie? Do you think these are wise couplings?

The Family Corner

The Family Stone is rated PG-13 for some sexual content including dialogue, and drug references. This family drama is mostly safe for the older members of the family. Most of the potentially problematic material is in discussion only (one female character does wake up in someone else's bed—only to discover later that nothing happened). The homosexual couple and a big dinner-table discussion about that lifestyle bring up some interesting issues worth discussing with your kids. There are some passing references to drug use, but none is ever shown. And sleeping arrangements for Meredith and Everett create a small stir, with both Everett's mom and his grade-school-aged niece assuming they'd sleep together.

Photos © Copyright 20th Century Fox

© Camerin Courtney 2005, subject to licensing agreement with Christianity Today International. All rights reserved. Click for reprint information.

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