The Family Review
RYAN: This is The Family and I’m so glad to actually walk out of a movie having enjoyed one again because I feel like there’s been a string of bad movies lately. But I just love this cast: Robert DeNiro, Michelle Pfeiffer, Quinn from TV’s Glee…
CHUCK: Dianna Agron and Tommy Lee Jones.
RYAN: It was cool seeing her break away from her Glee image in this film a bit.
CHUCK: Tommy is always a strong actor and just the chemistry between all of these amazing actors is great. I was a little worried initially that this was gonna be one of those movies where it’s well cast but the script’s not great. And it was such a great movie.
RYAN: It’s very steady. There’s great action but there’s also comedy and a big of good suspense. And I liked how they had a lot of the flashback, off-shoot scenes that take you back moments in the day that were creatively revealed.
CHUCK: I agree. The director – Luc Besson – he’s fantastic. I’ve been a big fan of his for a long time. The Professional is one of my favorite films of all time. He always has a unique vision where you know it’s him telling it but it’s still a very different perspective.
RYAN: And I love the music in this movie. It’s really playful and fun and really added a nice extra layer of storytelling to the film. It added mood and humor at times.
CHUCK: I love how it focuses on all four members of the family – Dad, Mom, Son and Daughter. They were all fully developed characters.
RYAN: It’s an appropriately titled film. And, like you said, the chemistry was great. This is the third film the DeNiro and Pfeiffer have made together but the first time they ever literally shared the screen.
CHUCK: And they were phenomenal.
RYAN: So good to see Michelle back at the top of her game.
CHUCK: Yeah especially after Dark Shadows, but she’s still beautiful and her talent and her energy just bounces off the screen. She’s just great.
RYAN: And it’s the kind of role that’s just written for Robert. He’s such a good mafia man with a heart. He always makes you feel for his characters. I love witness protection program movies because they always set up such interesting scenarios. And France looks amazing, as always, on film.
CHUCK: The son was probably my second favorite character in the whole movie. Played by John D’Leo, he was so good.
RYAN: You just actually can imagine, in a hyper stylized way, that this is what an American mafia family, living in witness protection in France, would be going through.
CHUCK: Normandie, France – just random little town. It is a little violent and with language, but it is an R-rated mob movie, so…
RYAN: It’s totally enjoyable and finally a good movie among the recent rut at the box office, before we get into Oscar season.
