Rating: PG-13
Starring:
Robert De Niro as Frank Goode
Drew Barrymore as Rosie
Kate Beckinsale as Amy
Sam Rockwell as Robert
Lucian Maisel as Jack
Damian Young as Jeff
James Frain as Tom
Melissa Leo as Colleen
Katherine Moennig as Jilly
Brendan Sexton III as Mugger
James Murtaugh as Dr. Ed
Austin Lysy as David
Chandler Frantz as Young David
Lily Mo Sheen as Young Amy
Seamus Davey-Fitzpatrick as Young Robert
Directed by Kirk Jones
Special Features:
The Making of Paul McCartney’s “(I Want To) Come Home”
Deleted & Extended Scenes
Other Info:
Widescreen (2.40:1)
Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
French Language
French and Spanish Subtitles
Running Time: 100 Minutes
The Details:
The following is the official description of the film:
“Robert De Niro leads an acclaimed all-star cast – Drew Barrymore, Kate Beckinsale and Sam Rockwell – in ‘Everybody’s Fine,’ the heartwarming film that will move you to laughter and tears. When Frank Goode’s (De Niro) grown children cancel a family reunion, the recent widower sets off on a cross-country journey to reconnect with each of them. Expecting to share in the joys of their happy, successful lives, his surprise visits reveal a picture that’s far from perfect. A family separated by physical and emotional distance finds a way to come together in a story that will touch your heart.”
“Everybody’s Fine” is rated PG-13 for thematic elements and brief strong language.
Mini-Review:
They should play “Everybody’s Fine” before Father’s Day. Hallmark and the retail industry would make a killing.
“Everybody’s Fine” is one of those films that’s perfectly executed yet painful to watch. You get great performances from Robert De Niro, Drew Barrymore, Kate Beckinsale, and Sam Rockwell. De Niro is great as Frank Goode, a widower trying to reconnect with his family after the death of his wife. She was the one that communicated with the children, kept the family connected, and filtered all the bad news from her husband. Frank does his best to try and rebuild his relationship with his kids, but along the way he finds out just how damaged those relationships were and just how much bad news he wasn’t being told.
The script, dialogue, and acting are all excellent. The question is how many audiences are going to want to be exposed to a fictional dysfunctional family when their real world family has enough dysfunction to go around. “Everybody’s Fine” is rather dark and depressing, so it’s kind of a downer. I’ve never been into tearjerker family dramas and that’s exactly what this is. If you like those kind of films, then this may fit the bill for you. The strong cast and good script certainly make it tops in that genre.
The bonus features on the DVD are rather sparse. You’ll find some deleted and extended scenes as well as a featurette entitled “The Making of Paul McCartney’s ‘(I Want To) Come Home’.” If you wanted a commentary or ‘making of’ featurette, you’re out of luck.
