[Movie Review] The Family (2013)

Posted on September 16, 2013 by thegrandshuckett in Movie Reviews // 1 Comment

Plot Summary: The Manzoni family, a notorious mafia clan, is relocated to Normandy, France under the witness protection program, where fitting in soon becomes challenging as their old habits die hard.

Director: Luc Besson

Writers: Luc Besson (screenplay), Michael Caleo (screenplay), Tonino Benacquista (based on the book by)

Main Cast:

Robert De Niro as Fred Blake / Giovanni Manzoni
Michelle Pfeiffer as Maggie Blake
Tommy Lee Jones as Agent Stansfield
Dianna Agron as Belle Blake
John D'Leo as Warren Blake
Domenick Lombardozzi as Mimmo

Review: by Anthony and Lee

We saw the headliners for The Family and knew one of two things was going to happen. Either the movie was going to be great because De Niro and Pfeiffer delivered another stellar performance, or it was going to be a severe disappointment because De Niro and Pfeiffer phoned it in. Either way, we had to see it.

What We Liked:

The movie was a fresh take on the typical Witness Protection story. The family tentatively tried to assimilate into their new lives, but kept hilariously falling back on what they knew in order to solve their problems. The barbecue party was a great example of the family comically trying to blend in and mingle with the neighbors.

All of the characters were likable, and each showed that they were not to be trifled with. The scene with Fred (De Niro) and the plumber was a great example of this, as was the scene with Maggie (Pfeiffer) in the grocery store. The daughter and son were equally as intriguing to follow as they schemed and fought to cope in their new environment.

It was a genuinely funny comedy. The trailer did not do a very good job of conveying it, but it was funny through and through. The scenes with Robert De Niro and Tommy Lee Jones were just great, especially the one where they attended the film debate.