Product ReviewsReview This Movie

Overall rating

5 / 5

A Moving Film

PostedSeptember 21, 2012

Marcieann

from Blue Bell, PA

Age:55 to 64

Gender:Female

Goes to the movies:once every few months

Dialogue

5 / 5

Special Effects

5 / 5

Art Direction

5 / 5

Acting

5 / 5

Story

5 / 5

Camerawork

5 / 5

A very moving and thought-provoking piece of work. Well written, acted and directed. Long, but I didn't consider that a con since I really didn't want it to end. Also getting to talk to Patrick Wang after the showing was a plus.

Yes, I recommend this movie.

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Overall rating

5 / 5

In The Family - Excellent

PostedNovember 5, 2011

MrHallmark

from New Jersey

I am not a movie critic but I would like to share this about "In The Family": This movie causes such a profound reaction because it is an unresearched, ingeniously scripted, carefully made film that cautiously avoids the preachy propaganda of yesteryear, while unavoidably reflecting the similar concern, tension and fear in a polarizing nation today.

Two of the main characters, Joey Williams, acted by Patrick Wang and Cody Hines, played by Trevor St. John are living a comfortable, quiet life in Tennessee with their son, Chip - brilliantly played by Sebastian Brodziak. Chip is Cody's biological son from his previous marriage. Cody is a widower when Joey and his acquaintanceship transitions into something much more affectionate toward one another. During the movie, Cody is tragically killed in a car accident leaving no last will and testament. He and Joey had never discussed such major life issues together. Unbeknownst to Joey, Cody did leave a will, written when Chip was a baby, which named Cody's sister, Eileen, played by Kelly McAndrew, as Chip's legal guardian. All the issues and questions born from this situation are addressed henceforth in a powerful yet subtle and quietly melodramatic way, minus any anticipated overt focus on race, gender, adoption, sexual identity or gay marriage. They all lead up to an absolutely brilliant ending.

There is heart-warming humor and of course, there are some tear-jerking moments as well that are well-balanced sporadically throughout the movie. These are well played by all the characters, especially by Sebastian Brodziak, a promising younger actor. The screenplay, written and directed by Patrick Wang is soft but strong. It is directed with care and acted with terrific conviction by the entire cast. Trevor St. John's performance is moving. In the course of only a handful of major scenes, many being flashbacks, he seems to suffuse the entire production, giving it a weight, density and point that might not otherwise be apparent.

A movie not to be missed. Plenty of emotional button-pushing. Wang as a director has a good feel for how best to manipulate the audience. Perhaps it's because there's such a rapport between the audience and the characters,

Yes, I recommend this movie.

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