The Family Stone (www.the-usher.com)

"They all hate me"

Meeting your partner's family for the first time is always going to be a nerve-racking experience but for Meredith (Parker) is was going to be even more traumatic because it is Christmas. Everett (Mulroney) wants to pop the question with his grandmother's wedding ring but his mother Sybil (Keaton) and the rest of the family have no intension of handing the ring over because they really don't like Meredith.

The problems of fitting into a new family are something most people can relate to but can 'The Family Stone' capture what people in relationships go through?

Writer/director Thomas Bezucha brings a tale of fitting in to the silver screen but instead of a real life family comedy drama we have an overly sentimental movie that is more sickly than sweet. With an underlying plot that is supposed to pull at the heart strings and some relationship twists and turns that are supposed to be funny and touching, it is obvious that he really wanted this to be the 'Terms of Endearment' for the new millennium but he fails in a really big way.

Despite gathering together a top notch ensemble cast, Bezucha's tendency to pour on the sentimentally takes away the impact of the performances and the chance for the actor's breath as much life into their characters as they might have wanted to. With such a large ensemble, there are bound to be some of the characters that suffer from a lack of development but even the main cast members suffer.

Why is Rachel McAdams' Amy so bitter and hates everyone outside of the family? What is Everett connection to Claire? Why are Meredith and Everett together when it is obvious that they have nothing in common? There are many more questions as well these but they would give away plot points but needless to say that the numerous questions about the character's backstories lessen the impact of the story and your connection with them.

This is set up as a snippet into the life of the Stone family and the repercussions of Meredith coming into the family but the sentimentally and sugary sweetness of the plot make this almost cringe worthy. While the performances in 'The Family Stone' make this a lot more watchable than the story should have been, you can help thinking that should have been a much better film.

PICTURE & SOUND

Presented in Anamorphic Widescreen 2.35:1 with Dolby Digital 5.1, the movie is presented well.

BONUS FEATURES

Commentary by Sarah Jessica Parker and Dermot Mulroney
Two of the stars from the impressive ensemble cast provide a fun commentary for 'The Family Stone'. Laughing most of their way through it, the two do manage to talk about their roles in the movie and what it was like working with writer/director Thomas Bezucha. They also talk about their fellow cast members and what it was like working with a legend like Diane Keaton. This is a very chatty and fun commentary that fans should enjoy.

Commentary by director Thomas Bezucha, producer Michael London, editor Jeffery Ford and production designer Jane Ann Stewart
This is an informative and chatty commentary from the filmmakers behind the film. They talk passionately about the story and the characters, highlighting the impressive ensemble cast and what each actor brought to the role. The group also talk about the look and feel of the film, highlighting the reality of the family dynamic. This is a good commentary that concentrates more on the filmmaking aspects of the movie.

Fox Movie Channel Presents 'Casting Session' (8.02 mins)
Writer/director Thomas Bezucha, producer Michael London, casting director Mindy Marin and stars Sarah Jessica Parker, Diane Keaton and Luke Wilson talk about creating the family dynamic for 'The Family Stone'.

Fox Movie Channel Presents 'World Premiere' (6.06 mins)
Presenter Tava Smiley interviews director Thomas Bezucha, producer Michael London and stars Sarah Jessica Parker, Dermot Mulroney, Craig T. Nelson, Brian White, Tyrone Giordano and Elizabeth Reaser on the red carpet at the world premiere of 'The Family Stone'.

October 8th 2005: Q & A with the cast at the Screen Actors Guild Theatre (7.58 mins)
Sarah Jessica Parker, Luke Wilson, Dermot Mulroney, Rachel McAdams, Claire Danes and Tyrone Giordano talk to a select audience about their characters and the film. Luke Wilson steals the show with stories from the set, much to the embarrassment of the rest of the cast.

Behind the Scenes (17.52 mins)
Writer/director Thomas Bezucha, producer Michael London, production designer Jane Ann Stewart, costume designer Shay Cunliffe and stars Sarah Jessica Parker, Diane Keaton, Elizabeth Reaser, Tyrone Giordano, Craig T. Nelson, Rachel McAdams, Savannah Stehlin and Luke Wilson take you behind the scenes of 'The Family Stone'. The group talk about the family dynamic, being part of the family and the relationships within the family.

Gag Reel (5.31 mins)
Watch the ensemble cast make a hash of their lines and have some fun on set.

Deleted Scenes (5.04 mins)
Entitled 'They hate me', 'You know who's just gonna hate her most?', 'Why ain't you married?', 'Is Ben Back?', 'Merry Christmas' and 'Hi Bradley' these deleted or extended scenes have optional commentary by director Thomas Bezucha and editor Jeffery Ford Meredith's Strata: A Morton Family Tradition Follow text instructions on how to make a Yule Tide breakfast treat

Previews
Trailers for 'In Her Shoes', 'Walk the Line', 'Shop Girl', 'Breakfast on Pluto' and 'Tristan + Isolde'

Inside Look
Go behind the scenes of 'The Sentinel' with star Kiefer Sutherland

OVERALL

Fox has again filled their latest DVD release full of extra features. The bonus features for 'The Family Stone' are good, with some decent featurettes and two good commentaries. Fans should be very pleased with this release.

DVD

Terms of Endearment

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2005