Everybody's Fine (2009)

Director:

Kirk Jones

Writers:

Kirk Jones (writer)
Massimo De Rita (original screenplay) ...

Release Date:

4 DECEMBER 2009 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Frank wanted the holidays to be picture perfect. What he got was family.

Plot:

A widower who realized his only connection to his family was through his wife sets off on an impromptu road trip to reunite with each of his grown children. |

Plot Keywords:

Surprise Visit | Family Reunion | Foreign Language Adaptation | Grandfather Grandson Relationship | Family Relationships

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 2 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Robert De Niro	...	Frank Goode
Drew Barrymore	...	Rosie
Kate Beckinsale	...	Amy
Sam Rockwell	...	Robert
Lucian Maisel	...	Jack
Damian Young	...	Jeff
James Frain	...	Tom
Melissa Leo	...	Colleen
Katherine Moennig	...	Jilly
Brendan Sexton III	...	Mugger
James Murtaugh	...	Dr. Ed
Austin Lysy	...	David
Chandler Frantz	...	Young David
Lily Mo Sheen	...	Young Amy (as Lily Sheen)
Seamus Davey-Fitzpatrick	...	Young Robert

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for thematic elements and brief strong language.

Runtime:

USA:99 min

Country:

USA | Italy

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:PG-13 (certificate #39360) | Canada:G (Quebec) | Canada:PG (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Ontario)

Filming Locations:

Connecticut, USA

Company:

Miramax Films

Trivia:

Sam Rockwell played the lover of Drew Barrymore in Charlie's Angels (2000) and Confessions of a Dangerous Mind (2002), and the ex-husband of Kate Beckinsale in Snow Angels (2007/I). Here, Rockwell, Beckinsale and Barrymore play siblings.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: The turkey Frank removes from the oven in the final scene is obviously a cold turkey not recently cooked. The skin is shriveled and no steam is coming from the pan.

Movie Connections:

References Taxi Driver (1976)

Soundtrack:

(I Want To) Come Home

This may be DeNiro's Best Performance Since Awakenings

I saw this movie last night in a crowded theatre with persons of varying ages. At the conclusion of the film, I noticed smiles and tears in the eyes of the older viewers and some boredom and rush to leave in the younger ones. This is a movie for parents and will probably not appeal much to the under 25 set.

That said, this is a beautiful, heart-felt, and sometimes painful story of a father recognizing and coming to grips with the reality of his parenting and his lack of control over his children's lives. It is about truth and how we try to spare others pain or discomfort. It is about how many parents still see their grown up children as small children who we are responsible for.

While the supporting cast turn in good performances, this is Robert DeNiro's movie. It is his best performance since Awakenings (he deserved that Oscar, and not just the nomination).

I suspect that this film will get a lot of nominations, but don't think it will win many awards. I base that on the idea that they younger voters have not yet been in the shoes of the older ones and will not be fully able to appreciate the character or his growth and understanding.