MovieChat Forums > The Family Stone (2005) Discussion > very mixed reviews

very mixed reviews

posted 10 years ago by mjnetter
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I'm hooked on reading the message board comments about this movie. It's really elicited some very strong opinions one way or the other. I think for anyone that related to the Meredith character, this movie was horrible as they see her as an unsuspecting visitor who gets ganged up on by the family. As one commenter pointed out, I think Meredith's presence helped create solidarity and levity (albeit by picking on her) for a fractured family going through a tough time. I think that was lost on a lot of viewers.

That being said, there were some things I liked about the movie (the few funny parts, good cast, some nicely done sets), but overall I was disappointed. A much better and funnier movie along the same lines is Home for the Holidays.

[–] Kimrubymoon 9 years ago

Yes, I agree with you about the tough times the famiky was facing with Sybil dying. It is lost on most here in this forum. These characters may be totally different had the not been losing (then lost) their mother. I Thought of this while watching the movie years ago, and now in reading the posts. I realize this isn't a forum full of psych majors, or obviously even if people who have been faced with such stress---BUT, the anticipatory grieving---the fear and anger as to what is coming is enough to turn any family upside down. ESPECIALLY around the holidays. I'm guessing the writers knew this and we're hoping for some viewers who got this about the film, but apparently not. Many people do not want to have to think about a movie--or the characters behavior. Many movie-goers simply want to be entertained by bad, even grotesque humor. They rather watch something like Bad Santa with Billy Bob and laugh like awkward 12 year old boys than to put any real thought into the subtext of a movie and it's characters. (If they even understand what subtext is). Oh well, there is enough garbage to keep them happy. Let 'em whine. I'll take a plot with some layers, thank you.