It was New Year’s Day, it was just my girlfriend and I, and I wasn’t in the mood for any of the much buzzed about, deep, serious critical darlings playing at the local multiplexes. I figured The Family Stone would be a very funny flick.
Well, it was. But along the way, it got kinda deep and poignant and tear jerker-like.
But basically, The Family Stone was a very entertaining movie.

Featuring a great ensemble cast, The Family Stone is part romantic comedy, and part family drama. Sarah Jessica Parker who so effortlessly does great work, plays an uptight workaholic who accompanies her boyfriend to meet his family. Damn, she’s really good. Nothing groundbreaking here, but like I said, she’s just so natural…
Her boyfriend is played by Dermot Mulroney, who’s always great too. I’m not sure why he’s never become a bigger name, but he’s a good actor. Very understated.
The rest of the family is led by Diane Keaton and Craig T Nelson as the parents, Rachel McAdams and Luke Wilson as two of the siblings, and Elizabeth Reaser and Tyrone Giordano as more siblings. I’ve never seen them before, but they were very good too.
Looking better than ever, Claire Danes rounds out the cast, and yes, no surprise, she’s great too.

Maybe writer – director Thomas Bezucha didn’t reinvent the wheel here, but I found The Family Stone a very nice, entertaining movie. By all means, go support Giant Apes and Holy Lions, but remember, sometimes a simple little movie is all you need.