Release Date: September 12, 2013 (p.m. screenings)
Studio: Relativity Media
Director: Luc Besson
Screenwriter: Luc Besson
Starring: Robert De Niro, Michelle Pfeiffer, Tommy Lee Jones, Dianna Agron, John D’Leo, Domenick Lombardozzi
Genre: Action, Comedy, Drama
MPAA Rating: R (for violence, language and brief sexuality)
Review: 6.5/10 rating
Plot Summary: In the dark action comedy “The Family,” a mafia boss and his family are relocated to a sleepy town in France under the witness protection program after snitching on the mob. Despite the best efforts of Agent Stansfield (Tommy Lee Jones) to keep them in line, Fred Manzoni (Robert DeNiro), his wife Maggie (Michelle Pfeiffer) and their children Belle (Dianna Agron) and Warren (John D’Leo) can’t help but revert to old habits and blow their cover by handling their problems the “family” way, enabling their former mafia cronies to track them down. Chaos ensues as old scores are settled in the unlikeliest of settings in this darkly funny film by Luc Besson (“Taken,” “Transporter”).
When I received the premier passes to see “The Family”, I was really expecting with such great actors/actresses, that this movie would be good; but more-so expecting it to fall flat like so many before it. I was greatly surprised.
The Movie is based on the French author Tonino Benacquista’s novel Malavita, which is know as Badfellas in America. And “BadFellas” is an interesting way to view this film. It does have all the wonderful elements of the great Mobster movies, but with a touch more humor. The family dynamic is a refreshing one that invokes what a modern mob family would probably be going through. You found yourself “going” for the family as a whole and not singling out one for their idiocy.
The movie starts off fast to quickly usher you thorough the character introductions and development, which is a good thing, because it allows you to experience their personality and growth throughout the film. You watch the stupid mistakes of a teenage girl, a boy who’s intuitive yet still flawed. A mother who’s trying to do the best she can to hold her family together, and a remorseful (somewhat) father.
If you are wanting Goodfellas or Casino, this isn’t it. What this IS is DEFINITELY what “Analyze This” could have been if it was a better movie. There is plenty of action, and the previews don’t give away the best of the movie. It is definitely a must see and Smush Approved.
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