Cinema Society

EVERYBODY'S FINE

Average
Rating

2.8

Tuesday, December 01, 2009, AMC La Jolla 12 Theatres

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1

7:00PM: Cinema Chat with Andy, Auditorium 4

7:10PM: Introduction, Auditorium 4

7:20PM: Introduction, Auditorium 5

7:30PM: EVERYBODY’S FINE, Auditoriums 4 & 5

Discussion will follow screening in Auditorium 4

AMC La Jolla 12 Theatres

EVERYBODY’S FINE

EVERYBODY’S FINE, a remake of Giuseppe Tornatore's STANNO TUTTI BENE, follows a widower (Academy Award® winner Robert De Niro) who embarks on an impromptu road trip to reconnect with each of his grown children, only to discover that their lives are far from picture perfect. At the heart of EVERYBODY’S FINE is the theme of family and physical and emotional distances traveled to bring the members back together.

Co-starring Drew Barrymore, Kate Beckinsale and Sam Rockwell, EVERYBODY’S FINE is written and directed by Kirk Jones (WAKING NED DEVINE). A Miramax Film Release, it opens commercially in San Diego on December 4th.

Rated PG-13 for thematic elements and brief strong language

Running Time: 95 Minutes

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8-Dec-09: Mark - Rating: 2

I found this movie unappealing. The story seemed neither new nor interesting, and the acting, though no doubt technically proficient, was oddly distancing. The best performances are those in which the audience gets caught up in the characters and is unaware of the acting. That did not happen here.

2-Dec-09: Mroe - Rating: 4

As much as I was hoping (and needing) a lighter film and from the trailers I thought it was going to be...until Andy informed us otherwise just before the viewing. I did get sucked in the sentimentality of it all, however though my first reaction to a fellow Cinema Society member comment about the age of De Niro and the kids seemed a bit off, later I did feel like something wasn't right (but I could be wrong). Since De Niro and his deceased wife were portrayed in their 60's and maybe the kids ages were in the proper bracket, for me I think it was more the feeling/type of father De Niro was conveying, his type of work, work ethic and self-sacrifice of sorts and family/marriage life seemed more depicted of a person in their 80's (like my grandparents) not of someone who was technically a "baby-boomer".

This film did remind me of a film with Jack Nicholson called "About Schmidt" ( I think he goes on a "road trip" to see his kids after his wife suddenly dies)...and if I recall that film had a bit of a slow pace as well.

I did like the camera work/editing, especially when we saw his kids as he little children and especially the "heart attack" scene at the picnic table....I also figured out Amy's story as well as Robert's but I have to admit I was a little thrown about Rosie's, not about the apartment or not being a lead dancer but by the baby and her sexuality, I just didn't suspect that part.

Overall I would recommend the film but forewarning that it is not a light comedy.

2-Dec-09: Barry - Rating: 2

The acting was good. The basic plot was good. It did not work well for me. Too simplistic, a bit sappy and not believable.

De Niro - an adult - could not tell his doctor to OK a prescription at a drug store! By the time we get to his age most of us have learned not to take a lot of crap. De Niro playing a reasonably bright person, but, can't select a bottle of wine, does not know the travel suitcase has a handle!

Although four children grow up in the same home they are not all affected by their environment in the same way. The first born only has younger sibling, the last born only has older sibling and this is certainly only one small aspect of the influences on their psyche. Yet they all turned out badly from De Niro's viewpoint. There was overkill in having all four kids so bad off. It seems the need to cover all that could go wrong was attempted - homosexuality - low level job as a waitress - drug addict - no ambition.

It is not believable that none of the kids would speak up to De Niro - even to tell him the druggy son was dead.

Any one or perhaps two flaws are acceptable and can be overlooked - there were too many for me, although, I did enjoy the movie on a level I would call average.

2-Dec-09: jh - Rating: 3

When you watch a film and squirm in your seat, the filmmakers have done something right. It didn't hurt that the filmmakers chose for the lead, the great Robert De Niro.

2-Dec-09: ebee - Rating: 3

This is one of those movies where the trailer leads you to think it is going to be one thing and it ends up being another. I thought it was going to be a funny/sweet holiday-ish movie. It's not. Andy, you were right..it started slow and took it's time getting rolling. Didn't love it.