User reviews

I must disagree with many of the film's critics who found this to be a pleasant and amusing view of a complicated family holiday reunion. Perhaps because of my background as a mental health professional, I found this to be a very confusing and inconsistent attempt to picture what could have been a funny family event. The writers touched so many bases that one wonders if five families could have contained the many quirks, pathologies and eccentricities found in this single unit. My overall impression was of the incredible nastiness this family displayed toward the fiancée of the eldest son, a person no one but the youngest daughter had ever met, but who became the target of hostility, primarily based on the report given by the nasty little sister. The fact that the parents were incapable of maintaining even a modicum of civility or to set the example for the children, speaks to their dysfunction rather than the humor of the situation. Yes, I realize that a terminal illness was also an issue, and yes, Keaton is a fine actress, but her character failed the test of grace--more the writer's fault than Keaton's.

I think that what would actually have happened in this situation is that either the eldest son would have upbraided his family for their boorish and cruel behavior, taken his fiancée and left(if he was really committed)telling them they could call him when they grew up; or, the fiancée, seeing that he was not really committed, would have left, herself. However, had either of these things happened, the movie would have been about 20 minutes long, too short for Roger Ebert to have waxed eloquent.

The premise of "The Family Stone" sounds a little shopworn: Everett Stone brings his uptight girlfriend Meredith home for Christmas to meet his large family, who instantly dislike her. Even worse, the trailer reveals most of the plot's complications. However, this premise has been used so often because it reliably provides opportunities for comedy, drama, and insight into family dynamics. "The Family Stone" proves itself a better-than-average example of the genre because of its talented cast and reasonably intelligent script.

Sarah Jessica Parker's presence ensures that Meredith always remains sympathetic, even when we can also perfectly understand why she irritates the Stones. The various Stones-- Diane Keaton, Craig T. Nelson, Dermot Mulroney, Rachel McAdams, Luke Wilson--make the most of their roles, and, more importantly, they really do start to seem like a family, not a random collection of actors. The only actor who fails to make an impression is Claire Danes, who can't do much with the underwritten role of Meredith's sister Julie.

"The Family Stone" is not a groundbreaking movie, but it goes beyond the fish-out-of-water clichés that its plot might suggest. It finds the emotional truth, as well as the humor, in Meredith's situation. Plus, it's extremely evenhanded: all of the characters are flawed but likable, and in a climactic argument at the dinner table, both Meredith and Sibyl make valid points. Reviewers on this site have accused the movie of pushing a liberal agenda via its sympathetic portrayal of an interracial gay couple and a semi-bohemian family--and of pushing a conservative agenda via its portrayal of the Stones as hypocritical liberals who pay lip service to tolerance but are prejudiced against people like Meredith. Personally, I'm not sure if "The Family Stone" has any agenda, other than to cast good actors in a holiday comedy-drama that doesn't insult its audience's intelligence. And it succeeds pretty well at that.

I enjoyed this one, It was just sort of addictive watching this eccentric (normal) family going about the trials and tribulations of love and life at Christmas. Sarah Jessica Parker is an absolute mess here and super fun to watch, she steals the movie actually which surprised the hell out me because she doesn't usually have that much range.

A touching comedy about an uptight, ultra conservative businesswoman (ice queen) who accompanies her boyfriend to his outgoing and screwy family's annual Christmas celebration. He has plans to propose, she is overwhelmed by the hostile reception.

Great extended cast too, including Craig T. Nelson & Diane Keaton as the parents with Rachel McAdams, Dermot Mulroney, Elizabeth Reaser and Luke Wilson as the kids and (an underused) Claire Danes. I enjoyed everyone's character here and was entertained by the mayhem throughout, even surprised by some of the events. Great acting from all amid moments of humour and even some heartbreak (Keaton has a couple of very raw scenes). 12/23/14

The Family Stone (2005) surprised me in a very good way. All of the actors did very well with the script and with both the funny and dramatic scenes. Sarah Jessica Parker earned a golden globe nomination for this movie, very well deserved! Sarah nailed both her dramatic and humorous dialogue in the various scenes. Of course Diane Keaton did very well in her own character, along with Craig T. Nelson (Poltergeist). Rachel McAdams did a great job as well, and Claire Danes was my favorite character in the entire movie. The script, storyline, and dialogue between characters was all very sharp and well written in my opinion. This movie actually has some pleasing surprises and twists that you definitely do not see coming, at least I didn't! Overall this is a fun, entertaining, funny, dramatic, well acted, and well written holiday film that will warm your heart and for sure make you laugh! 7/10 for The Family Stone.

The Family Stone was a mixed bag. It had great acting, laugh out loud scenes, and heart breaking moments, but in the meantime, I felt it didn't know what it wants to be, some of the characters were stereotypes we've seen a hundred times before, and I thought some of things happening were totally unbelievable.

The film tells the story of uptight businesswoman Meredith (Sarah Jessica Parker) who meets the parents of her boyfriend Everett Stone (Dermot Mulroney) for the first time during the Christmas celebrations. From the get go, The Stones don't like Meredith, so she calls her sister Julie (Claire Danes) to come back her up.

The picture didn't know whether it wants to be a slapstick comedy, or a heartfelt drama. One minute we see pratfalls, the next we wee people crying and talking about the freedom of sexual orientation. These fast mood swings really hurt the movie, as it was at its best when it kept the same tone for more than 10 minutes; I was laughing out loud at the Chritmas morning scenes, and I was really touched by the scene between Sybil (Diane Keaton) and Kelly (Craig. T Nelson) in the bed.

The movie had a lot of characters, but unfortunately, only half of these characters were interesting. The best character was Sybil, the loving and strong mother who keeps all the family together. I also liked Everett, the man who wasn't sure of the decision he's going to make. Anyway, there also some stereotypes like Meredith and Amy (Rachel McAdams), the annoying sister who was just there to hurt Meredith. I felt Susannah (Elizabeth Reaser) and her daughter Elizabeth (Savannah Stehlin) were in the picture just to add a cute little girl to the mix. And I think the film could have used more time to give us a better idea of some characters like Julie and Ben (Luke Wison). But it's always a good sign when you wish a film was longer; Frankly, I was entertained throughout the film.

The Family Stone had a great cast, with some actors giving their best performances in a long time, and I'm surprised no one from the cast was nominated for an Academy award. Diane Keaton was terrific as the mother, and her first and last scenes in the movie are truly heartbreaking. And although I'm not a fan of Parker, I thought she pulled of her role quite well. In fact, I think Danes is the only cast member who gave a so-so performance.

So, I'd recommend The Family Stone, but with a cast like this, I can't help but think this film could have been much better.

Diane Keaton, Craig T. Nelson, Sarah Jessica Parker, Dermot Mulroney, and Luke Wilson star in "The Family Stone," a 2005 holiday movie. Parker plays Meredith, the uptight girlfriend of Everett Stone (Mulroney) who accompanies him home for Christmas. She doesn't fit in with his family which consists of his tell-it-like-it-is mother (Keaton), his deaf gay brother Thad and his lover (Ty Giordano and Brian White), his brat sister who already doesn't like Meredith (Rachel McAdams), his fun brother (Wilson), his pregnant sister (Elizabeth Reaser) and her young daughter waiting for her husband to arrive, and his quiet, accepting father (Nelson).

Meredith gets off on the wrong foot when she feels uncomfortable sharing a room with Everett and displaces Amy from her room. It goes from there, including a game of charades in which Meredith attempts to act out "The Bride Wore Black" and is accused by Amy of pointing to Thad's black lover. In desperation, Meredith moves to a local inn and calls her sister (Clare Danes) to join her for moral support.

This is a sentimental, sometimes funny, predictable film with some good performances. It's a little overdone with the stereotypes -- it could have been effective without hitting us over the head. Diane Keaton is wonderful as a free-spirited mother who worries about Everett's choice of girlfriend and fearful that he's going to marry her. Craig T. Nelson is sympathetic as her husband, trying to keep it all together. Owen Wilson gives a funny performance as the laid-back brother, and Sarah Jessica Parker is appropriately an uptight wreck as Meredith. Dermot Mulroney vacillates between being tense and angry throughout as he deals with his family and Meredith. As the confused, pretty sister, Clare Danes doesn't have much to do but what she does is very good.

Get ready to shed a few tears if you get into this film, which you might not. It's not for everyone, just us saps.

Nevertheless, it's a lovely holiday film that emphasizes the importance of family, of finding out who you are, and of taking a risk.

That brief moment between Rachel McAdams and Diane Keaton alone is worth the ten stars i give to this movie.

Almost two house of watching a poor shy woman get bullied by this guys family. We are supposed to dislike her and root for the family but I just feel so sorry for her. The mother and especially Rachel McAdam's character are so awful to SJP's character Meredith. HAD to stop watching.

The Family Stone covers three days in the life of the title family, Christmas Eve, Christmas and, briefly, the following Christmas so that it can wrap up the multiple story lines of the plot. One of the things I like about the movie is that this is not in your face as far as the tragedy part, no more than a few lines in a couple of scenes.

Sarah Jeessica Parker plays against her type, a stuffy, straight-laced businesswoman and does a surprisingly good job throughout the movie. Luke Wilson is at his best, the laid-back brother to Dermot Mulroney who is called upon the bring Parker down to earth and Mulroney is the somewhat confused suitor who... well, you will just have to watch the movie.

Craig T. Nelson also gets kudos for keeping you interested in his character. He plays Diane Keaton's husband and Keaton, one of the best actresses, sparkles. The film doesn't waste any time with character introduction, getting right into the plot but gives you time during the movie to see what each character is about. I took off a point because the movie is predictable to a degree.

Thomas Bezucha's 'The Family Stone' surprised me. I expected a catty WASPish family satire – that, at least, was the impression given in most reviews. I liked this a great deal. The discomfort felt by Sarah Jessica Parker's uptight career girl as she spends Christmas with her partner's close-knit New England liberal family is used to good effect, but as much awkwardness is felt as a result of their jibes as by her tactlessness, so she's not marked out solely as a stooge. Dermot Mulroney, Rachel McAdams (the best thing in Wes Craven's 'Red Eye'), Luke Wilson (a much better actor than brother Owen) and Diane Keaton also give fine turns, and Craig T. Nelson - another much underrated character actor – is perfectly cast Keaton's husband. It's occasionally sentimental, as certain family secrets are revealed, but never in a sickly manner, and works principally because it's that rare Hollywood beast, a genuinely well written ensemble piece. Good work Mr Bezucha. Worth a look.

This is Sarah Jessica at her BEST! She commands this performance and I felt for her character !! Excellent casting ; heartfelt - and set up to be a classic holiday choice !!

I went to watch this film thinking it was going to be a cheesy holiday film with annoying characters in it who weren't funny or likable at all. However i was surprised as this film was actually able to make me laugh as well as cry.

The characters were likable, Sarah Jessica Parker was a little uptight yet you couldn't help but feel sorry for her, while Rachel McAdams's character was nasty yet there is more depth to her as the film progresses. Good comedic performances are put in by Luke Wilson and even SJP. The whole star studded cast, including, Diane Keaton, Claire Danes and Dermot Mulroney, put in good performances which adds to the great chemistry of this interesting, and a little eccentric, family.

As well as the humour this film is also sweet and touching and very festive, perfect for watching at Christmas with your own family.

6.3 people? Really? This movie deserves a much higher score than that. It has everything you could ever want in a holiday film...or any film, for that matter. Happiness, anger, sorrow, humor, heart and soul, drama...plus a feeling of "realism" that's almost impossible to come by these days.

The house in the movie feels messy and real and "lived-in," as opposed to a fake movie set, along with the people who are not all perfect and polished. You almost feel as though you're peeking through tiny cameras at this family as you witness their foibles and weird relationship dynamics that only families have.

The Stone family, which consists of the two older parents and five adult children, are all congregating at the big ole' family home for the holidays. But now, Everett, the very successful son, is bringing home a new girlfriend named Merideth (played by Sara Jessica Parker) to introduce to the family.

Naturally, it's difficult enough meeting all the members of such a large well-established group. But add the fact Meredith is sort of an ill-at-ease uptight woman to begin with, along with the fact the family has already decided to dislike her (due to the youngest daughter already going out to dinner with the couple and spreading the word that Meredith is a total obnoxious b**tch) and you're in for some real awkwardness.

Meredith (played to emotional perfection by Parker) manages to always say and do the wrong thing, even though she's really trying to make everyone like her. Maybe (as Everett's laid-back brother...also played beautifully by Luke Wilson) points out.

So, Meredith ends up calling her sister (Claire Danes) for support...and that's when things REALLY get complicated! I won't offer spoilers here, because I really want you to watch the movie. And although the story may seem a little dreary at times (like real life, it's both sad and funny) there is a magical moment (about thirty minutes from the end) when all hell breaks loose which is hysterical!

There are a lot of big names in this movie (as you can see...Diane Keaton, etc...) and, like I said, all the actors do a wonderful job. If you are a fan of complicated relationship dynamics, then you will enjoy this movie. My husband commented (from the kitchen) that it seemed cliche, but oh well. Maybe it's not for everyone.

Personally, I think The Family Stone is so much better than a lot of these cheesy Christmas movies that just seem so fake. Trust me, this is miles and miles away from a Hallmark holiday film!

Meredith Morton (Sarah Jessica Parker) is really uptight. She accompanies her boyfriend Everett Stone (Dermot Mulroney) to his family's Christmas holidays. The Stone family is headed by Sybil (Diane Keaton) and Kelly (Craig T. Nelson). Susannah (Elizabeth Reaser) is the oldest sibling and a stay-at-home mom. Ben (Luke Wilson) is a stoner. Amy (Rachel McAdams) hates Meredith. Thad (Tyrone Giordano) is gay and deaf. Meredith feels picked on especially by Amy and leaves to stay at the inn. She asks her more relaxed sister Julie (Claire Danes) to join her. Everett wants to propose to Meredith with grandma's ring but Sybil refuses to give him the ring. Everybody objects to the proposal.

It's a quirky family Christmas holiday get together. It's not anything new but it's always good material to mine. SJP is overplaying her character a little. She doesn't need to play the role as if she's got a board in her back. McAdams is a fun meanie and she allows for some comedy to come through with SJP. The cast for the family is great and they have good chemistry together.

"The Family Stone" was embodied with so many rolling emotional characters that it would not be inapt to call them The Rolling Stones. The all-star stoners include: Willie Nelson, Woody Harrelson, George Michael, Michelle Rodriguez, Robert Downey Jr, and Courtney Love. Oops! Wrong Cast! That one is actually the one for the reality version of "The Family Stoned". OK, enough! In reality or I should say not reality, "The Family Stone" all-star cast includes Sarah Jessica Parker, Dermot Mulroney, Diane Keaton, Craig T. Nelson, Luke Wilson, Claire Danes, and Rachel McAdams. Not too shabby. Keaton and Nelson play Mr. & Mrs. Stone. While McAdams, Wilson, and Mulroney play the little Stoners. The premise of the film focuses on the Parker character, Meredith Morton. She is an uptight New York "yupette" who is nervous on meeting her boyfriend Everett Stone's chameleon family. The Stones don't inhale her egoistic demeanor and judgmental viewpoints. There are other underlying plot lines that unravel in "The Family Stone". The film is based during the holiday season , and it does have its merry moments combined with those tear-drenching hanky ones. Writer-Director Thomas Bezucha has assembled a valuable holiday film in our present convoluted era for dealing with family issues. I especially enjoyed the acting performances of Luke Wilson as the free spirit Ben Stone and Rachel McAdams as the nit-picking Amy Stone. Watching "The Family Stone" is a nice way to celebrate Christmas and "ring" out the New Year. **** Good

I started to watch this movie, expecting a comedy. I was surprised. This isn't necessarily a Christmas comedy. Sarah Jessica Parker is perfectly cast for the role of Meredith. Diane Keaton and Craig T. Nelson make the perfect parents for this little "dysfunctional" family. This movie has quite the star-studded cast. I personally think Luke is a better actor than Owen, but that may just be me. I thought it would be all about the Meredith/Everett romance, but it is more about the Stone family coming together over the Christmas holiday. It was a good movie, totally different from what I was expecting. It is definitely well worth the watch.