DVD Reviews: Everybody's Fine
Sure I’m not really known for enjoying what I call the sap drama. It is very rare that I enjoy one this much. But I really do enjoy road movies and this was one of those also. So in my preview we have a push… a non rent but I will watch on HBO situation.
Last Sunday morning I popped it in. I lay in bed with the covers pulled high, watched the flurries out of the window and consumed. The movie opens and by the end of the opening credits without a line of dialogue I see…Robert DeNiro can still act. Holy Shit. Yippppeeeeeee! He carries his character with such poise and grace as he completes mundane household chores. But he also carries a bit of satisfaction in his eyes, I call this the DeNiro effect due to this making the character much more interesting. It was nice to see him pull another dimension to this character because this could have been a story about another sad man - but it is not. It is the story of a man that wants to share the happiness of his life with his family, but not in an overbearing Hollywood way.
He picks up and goes on a road trip to surprise his children after they cancel a planned family outing. The children are all fantastic actors and actresses too, Including Sam Rockwell, Kate Beckensale (non vampire), and Drew Barrymore. Without question Sam Rockwell is one of the best working actors today. He becomes the character every time I watch him in a film. This was no different, while he does not steal his scenes he plays very well off of De Niro. Kate Beckensale does great in the first film I have seen her in that nothing gets shot or blows up. She does play a little too close to the stereotype. Barrymore is brilliant for the first time in god knows how long.
Overall, Everybody’s Fine
is a really solid drama. Yes, I did cry at the end. I really think this film will find its audience on television in the future. It will be a great flick to watch with the family during the holidays.
As I have established the movie is “Fine” but the special features are not. They are super weak.
Overall, Everybody’s Fine
is a really solid drama. Yes, I did cry at the end. I really think this film will find its audience on television in the future. It will be a great flick to watch with the family during the holidays. As I have established the movie is “Fine” but the special features are not. They are super weak.
We have a making of a Paul McCartney music video that was lame, and some deleted scenes that should have remained on the floor of the cutting room. Is that reference dated? I think so.
Ratings are based on a 5-star scale
Four Cozy Sunday mornings out of Five.
Review by Bro' B - Ben
Everybody's Fine is available for purchase at Amazon.com for $19.99
is available for purchase at Amazon.com for $19.99 Thank you to Miramax and Click Communications for providing a copy of Everybody's Fine for this DVD review. We were in no way compensated for this post and all opinions are strictly our own.
March 6, 2010 12:25 PM
Sounds like a movie I would like to see.
March 10, 2010 2:21 PM
Me too - B usually doesn't like these movies. I was actually reluctant to let him review it (because I KNEW that I'd like it), but I'm glad he did. Now I have to go out and rent it.
Redbox time!