Before you like it. i HATED this movie for the first 5 times, but i watch it at least once a week on HBO or something and it just keeps growing on me. i dunno what it is. my hate for SJP is set off by my love of rachel mcadams.
shareThe first time I saw it I liked it alright, although mostly because it was very unexpected from what I had thought it was going to be. It was advertised as something far lighter than it turned out to be.
However, the more I see it the more I grow to love it-- that it might even be brilliant in an understated way-- the more I see things I didn't see or get before. You start to realize that all the weird tension around Meredith has little to do with her. Yes, she's awkward and pinched, but the real cause of the tension is that everyone seems to sense that mom is sick again but doesn't want to say it. Meredith is sort of an outlet, the outside force that makes them fiercely protective of their family.
kniess,
I think that you hit the nail on the head here and I think it is something that most people miss out on and therefore like the fllm less than it deserves. I have only seen it once but I got the same impression as you and it also got me to thinking about the title of the film. "The Family Stone" is obviously a reference to the name of the family but it also seems to me it may be referring to the mother as the pillar of strength that binds the family together (their rock or stone). I think the film is largely about each individual character coming to terms with it and that is why there is so much time devoted to the subject.
But alas, I think that many people missed out on this and I can see how it would deminish their experience with the film. It was certain to disappoint the general audience, which was expecting lighter fare.
I would just like to add that this theme is perhaps most clear when it is Xmas morning and Meredith gives everyone a picture of the mother pregnant at her most vibrant time in life. As Meredith looks around the room they are all teary eyed and appreciative (Kelly even says thank you to her with very deep meaning in his voice.) Also Rachel McAdams reacts with an expression as if to say "oh my god, Meredith I am so sorry we have been taking this out on you." I was very impressed with the acting in this scene.
shareThe film had some understated brilliance for sure. Watch the director's commentary on the DVD. I hadn't realized the purposeful changes of all the characters throughout the film. Their dress changes as they change during the film. And the bitchy daughter is dressed beautifully and wearing her mother's gaudy rings at the end of the film.
shareI TOTALLY AGREE .. when I first saw it i was like, meh it was alright .. but iv watched it a couple more times and now I love it!
shareThat sounds like some form of cruel punishment. Or maybe a way to punish your kids if they do something bad. "Do this again and you have to watch this 6 times". If that's not a perfect way to discipline your kids I don't know what is. I guarantee they'd be good from now on!
share jayhn1111
I agree with you so much...
I must get hold of that DVD with the director's commentary. I am so interested in what he'll say about this film that I love so much.
sharei completely agree and was just thinking about this earlier today. the first time i saw it, i thought it was "alright" but nothing to really get excited about it. however, since then, i've seen it at least 10 times thanks to HBO and regardless of what else is on or what i'm doing, i have to watch it.
shareI watched it 12 times or so on HBO in the fall and lo and behold it's on again on FX and I am watching it for the 2nd time tonight because I am so drawn to it. My husband said, "Are you watching that stupid movie AGAIN?"
I love it I love it I love it.
Liked it the first time and every time thereafter.
~LjM
Step on it! And don't spare the atoms!
Me too. Its one of my favorites. Be sure to get the dvd. Its got 2 commentaries. One with the director and one with SJP and Dermot. Plus theres some hilarious extras.
I think we're just gonna have to be secretly in love with each other and leave it at that.
Like it the second time I saw it. I think I'll wait to watch it again. Maybe next year!
shareLife is too short!
*Strange things are afoot at the Circle K*
hee hee! I just posted something like this on another thread. I agree that this movie grows on you. I was underwhelmed when I saw it in the theater, but I've got it from Netflix now and I don't want to give it back! :^)
There's a lot of great nuance and super family dynamics snuck between the broad strokes of the uptight-girlfriend-meets-protective-rude-family and the tidy, everyone-gets-paired-off ending. And great performances. I hope some folks will give it a second chance.
That is sooo true about this movie. I saw it at the theater, and from the previews I expected a romantic comedy it to be more lighthearted. There was many uncomfortable and serious moments and the way the family acted towards Meredith was really rude. Despite their rudeness, it was nice to see a family care for one another as they did. The cast and the house is why I like this movie.
shareI really like the insight about Meredith as a lightening rod, or scapegoat, for the anxiety over mom, but ...
I could not watch this movie six times. I don't think it rates it. It's not deep enough. The scriptwriter took on too many characters and subplots to do justice to.
If I watched this six times, i could just feel that frustration over and over again.
FWIW, I've seen it 1 1/2 times.
I agree. I mean, I liked it the first time I saw it..but everytime I rent it or something I grow to love it more and more and always cry more than the last time I saw it (which is unusual because usually i cry
the most the first time I see a movie and then I get over it.. ) but in this movie I am more moved everytime I watch it. and now I finally just bought it because I love it so much!
DCAC member
Come what may.
That's how I feel, too! It was okay for me the first time around, but I loved it by the fourth watching. I don't know what it is, maybe the more I watch it, the more I start liking the characters? Meredith really grew on me especially, it's like you notice all these things if you know the ending that make you sympathize with her.
shareWhy are you watching it so many times? I guess this is like the Zapruder Film to you people. I saw it once; it was not my cup of tea so I moved on.
If you hate something, just move on. It is unnatural to force yourself to like something.