Family (2018 film)

Last updated
Family
Family (2018 film).jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed byLaura Steinel
Written byLaura Steinel
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyMichael Simmonds
Edited byGlenn Garland
Music by Jeremy Turner
Production
companies
Distributed by The Film Arcade
Release dates
  • March 11, 2018 (2018-03-11)(SXSW)
  • April 19, 2019 (2019-04-19)(United States)
Running time
88 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$194,601

Family is a 2018 American comedy film written and directed by Laura Steinel in her feature directorial debut. Starring Taylor Schilling, Brian Tyree Henry, Bryn Vale, Allison Tolman, Fabrizio Guido, Kate McKinnon, and Peter Horton, the film follows an emotionally stunted aunt attempting to form a relationship with her teenage niece who wants to run away from home and become a Juggalo.

Contents

Family premiered at South by Southwest on March 11, 2018, and was theatrically released in the United States on April 19, 2019. The film received positive reviews from critics, with Schilling's performance singled out for praise.

Plot

A senior VP for a New Jersey hedge fund, Kate Stone is career-focused, egotistical and uninterested in forming friendships. Her attitude keeps people at arm's length, making her an unpopular loner in her own office.

Examples of Kate's behavior includes insulting a pregnant co-worker, disparaging her assistant's relationship with her brother and eating cake at a baby shower although she's not supportive. We see Kate at home, a heavy drinker who does so alone.

Kate's estranged brother Joe calls asking her to babysit her tween niece Maddie for one night. Initially refusing, she reluctantly agrees when realising she's their last option. But the overnight stay unexpectedly becomes a week as setting up hospice for Cheryl's mother is more complicated than expected, and Kate’s life becomes chaotic.

As Maddie reveals that she is bullied, isolated and angry, her parents try to force her into being more girlie. Signed up to ballet class in hopes that she make friends, she sneaks into the karate school next door.

The aunt and niece form a unique bond. Remembering not having it easy at that age either, Kate lets Maddie get a pants suit for the school dance, yet she’s meant to put on a dress. Moreover, a group of popular meanies torment her at school.

Seeing herself in Maddie and discovering her troubles slowly, Kate takes her under her wing. She allows her to go overboard with snacks at the local convenience store, where she meets a Juggalo, and she allows her chicken parmesan every night.

At the end of her first day at Maddie's, Kate finds that she has invited Dennis aka Baby Joker, the juggalo she met the previous evening. With the characteristic black and white clown-like face paint, she makes them remove it but lets him stay. He explains that juggalos are simply society's misfits who look out for each other like family.

That night, Kate and Maddie bond, Kate goes through some beauty tips while Maddie shares her various costumes and fighting sticks. She tells her to fight her bullies, however Kate is called in to the school because she literally fought them with karate. Sensei Peter is also called in, who later confides in Kate that he's impressed as she used a complicated firehouse kick.

Erin, a younger analyst Kate trains, seems to become a threat to her career. While Kate was out dealing with the school suspension, Erin was schmoosing up to potential clients. She organises a client meeting for 8 pm on Friday, so Kate goes back on her word and leaves Maddie at the school dance.

Maddie isn't allowed in the dance as she's not in a dress. Kate catches up with her, but she's vomiting. Taking her to the hospital, Joe and Cheryl show up and they find out Maddie got ill because her tomato sensitivity had been ignored.

Kate leaves, and for some days is very unhappy. She decides to go to the dojo to see Maddie, but Pete hasn't seen her. Joe and Cheryl show up to get Maddie from ballet and find out she changed to karate.

Kate, as she knows Maddie's true interests, seeks Baby Joker and discovers there is a Juggalos gathering. She gets the face paint and goes in. Although they seem intimidating, the juggalos help Kate find the rebellious Maddie.

In the end, Kate learns to interact better with others, she loosens up at work, finally making friends, having an improved relationship with her family and finally smiling.

Cast

The hip hop duo Insane Clown Posse, Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope—credited under their real names, Joseph Bruce and Joseph Utsler—also appear as MCs for the Miss Juggalette Pageant, where Natasha Lyonne appears as a Juggalette.

Release

Family premiered at South by Southwest on March 11, 2018. [1] The Film Arcade acquired its distribution rights in September 2018 [2] and released it April 19, 2019. [3]

Critical response

On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, Family holds an approval rating of 76% based on 59 reviews, with an average rating of 6.4/10. The website's critics consensus reads, "The definitive juggalo-infused self-discovery comedy, Family transcends its overly familiar elements with fresh twists and Taylor Schilling's appealing performance." [4]

Related Research Articles

<i>The Dead</i> (1987 film) 1987 film by John Huston

The Dead is a 1987 drama film directed by John Huston, written by his son Tony Huston, and starring his daughter Anjelica Huston. It is an adaptation of the short story of the same name by James Joyce, which was first published in 1914 as the last story in Dubliners. An international co-production between the United Kingdom, the United States, and West Germany, the film was Huston's last as director, and it was released several months after his death.

<i>Foxfire</i> (1996 film) 1996 American film

Foxfire is a 1996 American teen drama film directed by Annette Haywood-Carter. Based on the Joyce Carol Oates novel Foxfire: Confessions of a Girl Gang, it examines the coming of age of four high school girls who meet up with a mysterious and beautiful drifter.

<i>Madeas Family Reunion</i> 2006 American film

Madea's Family Reunion is a 2006 American comedy-drama film and an adaptation of the stage production of the same name written by Tyler Perry. The film is a sequel to Diary of a Mad Black Woman. It was written, directed by, and starring Perry with the rest of the cast consisting of Blair Underwood, Lynn Whitfield, Boris Kodjoe, Henry Simmons, Lisa Arrindell Anderson, Maya Angelou, Rochelle Aytes, Jenifer Lewis, Tangi Miller, Keke Palmer, and Cicely Tyson. The film tells the story of Madea preparing for an upcoming family reunion while dealing with the dramas before and during it. It was released on February 24, 2006, nearly one year following its predecessor, Diary of a Mad Black Woman. The independent film was produced by Lionsgate.

<i>Four Christmases</i> 2008 American Christmas comedy film

Four Christmases is a 2008 American Christmas comedy film starring Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon with Robert Duvall, Jon Favreau, Mary Steenburgen, Dwight Yoakam, Tim McGraw, Kristin Chenoweth, Jon Voight, and Sissy Spacek in supporting roles. The film is director Seth Gordon's first studio feature film. It tells the story of a couple who must travel to four family parties after their vacation plans get canceled due to dense fog. The film was produced by New Line Cinema and Spyglass Entertainment and released by Warner Bros. Pictures on November 26, 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kate McKinnon</span> American actress and comedian (born 1984)

Kate McKinnon Berthold is an American actress, comedian, impressionist, and writer. She was a cast member on the NBC sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live from 2012 to 2022, where she became known for her character work and celebrity impressions. For her work on the series, she was nominated for ten Primetime Emmy Awards, including one for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics and nine for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, winning in 2016 and 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taylor Schilling</span> American actress (born 1984)

Taylor Jane Schilling is an American actress. She is known for her role as Piper Chapman on the Netflix original comedy-drama series Orange Is the New Black (2013–2019), for which she received a nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series and two Golden Globe Award nominations for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy and Best Actress – Television Series Drama. She made her film debut in the 2007 drama Dark Matter. She also starred as Nurse Veronica Flanagan Callahan in the short-lived NBC medical drama Mercy (2009–2010). Her other films include Atlas Shrugged: Part I (2011), the romantic drama The Lucky One (2012), the comedy Take Me (2017), and the science-fiction thriller The Titan (2018).

<i>Madeas Big Happy Family</i> (film) 2011 American film

Madea's Big Happy Family is a 2011 American comedy-drama film based on Tyler Perry's 2010 play of the same name. It is the 11th film in the Tyler Perry film franchise and the sixth in the Madea cinematic universe. Tyler Perry reprised Madea and Joe, and the other cast members include Loretta Devine, Bow Wow, David Mann, Cassi Davis, Tamela Mann, Lauren London, Isaiah Mustafa, Natalie Desselle, Rodney Perry, and Shannon Kane. It tells the story of Madea finding out that her niece is dying from cancer. Madea gathers her niece's children and their family members together to deal with the news while contending with the different issues between them.

<i>The Lives of the Saints</i> (miniseries) 2004 film by Jerry Ciccoritti

The Lives of the Saints is a 2004 TV miniseries directed by Jerry Ciccoritti, written by Malcolm MacRury, and based on the 1990 novel Lives of the Saints, by Nino Ricci. The film stars Sophia Loren, Fab Filippo and Jessica Paré.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maddie Ziegler</span> American actress and dancer (born 2002)

Madison Nicole Ziegler is an American actress and dancer. She appeared in Lifetime's reality show Dance Moms, from 2011 until 2016, and starred in a series of music videos by Sia, beginning with "Chandelier" and "Elastic Heart", which have in total attracted more than 6 billion views on YouTube. Ziegler has appeared in films, television shows, concerts, advertisements and on magazine covers.

<i>Walking on Sunshine</i> (film) 2014 British film

Walking on Sunshine is a 2014 British romantic jukebox musical comedy-drama film directed by Max Giwa and Dania Pasquini. The film features covers of songs from the 1980s and was released on 27 June 2014. It is also a debut role for singer-songwriter Leona Lewis.

<i>Hush</i> (2016 film) 2016 film by Mike Flanagan

Hush is a 2016 American slasher film directed and edited by Mike Flanagan, and starring Kate Siegel, who also co-wrote the film with Flanagan. The film co-stars John Gallagher Jr., Michael Trucco, Samantha Sloyan, and Emilia "Emma" Graves. It was jointly produced by Trevor Macy through Intrepid Pictures and Jason Blum through Blumhouse Productions.

<i>Ballerina</i> (2016 film) 2016 animated musical adventure comedy film

Ballerina is a 2016 3D animated musical adventure comedy film co-directed by Éric Summer and Éric Warin and written by Summer, Carol Noble and Laurent Zeitoun. A co-production between Canadian and French companies, the film takes place in 1880s France and follows an orphan girl who dreams of becoming a ballerina and gets a chance to audition for the celebrated school of the Paris Opera Ballet.

<i>Irreplaceable You</i> 2018 American film

Irreplaceable You is a 2018 American romantic comedy-drama film written by Bess Wohl and directed by Stephanie Laing. The film stars Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Michiel Huisman. It was released by Netflix on February 16, 2018.

<i>Dumplin</i> (film) 2018 American film

Dumplin' is a 2018 American coming-of-age comedy-drama film directed by Anne Fletcher and written by Kristin Hahn. It is based on the young adult novel of the same name by Julie Murphy. The film stars Danielle Macdonald as Willowdean "Dumplin'" Dickson, Jennifer Aniston as her mother, Rosie Dickson, and Odeya Rush as her best friend, Ellen Driver.

<i>Wild Nights with Emily</i> 2018 American film

Wild Nights with Emily is a 2018 American romantic comedy film written and directed by Madeleine Olnek. It stars Molly Shannon as Emily Dickinson, as well as Amy Seimetz, Susan Ziegler, Brett Gelman, Jackie Monahan, Kevin Seal, Dana Melanie, Sasha Frolova, Lisa Haas and Stella Chesnut. The film is based on the actual events of Emily Dickinson's life, including her process as a writer, her attempts to get published, and her lifelong romantic relationship with another woman.

<i>Unlovable</i> 2018 American film

Unlovable is a 2018 American comedy-drama musical film directed by Suzi Yoonessi, and written by and starring Charlene deGuzman. The film tells the story of Joy, a Filipino-American woman, her struggle with sex and love addiction, and her recovery through music and platonic friendship. The film also stars John Hawkes and Melissa Leo, and is co-written by Sarah Adina Smith and Mark Duplass. The film was produced by Duplass Brothers Productions and distributed by Orion Classics. The film premiered at SXSW and received special jury recognition for the LUNA Gamechanger Award.

<i>She Dies Tomorrow</i> 2020 American arthouse film

She Dies Tomorrow is a 2020 American psychological thriller horror film written, directed, and produced by Amy Seimetz. It stars Kate Lyn Sheil, Jane Adams, Kentucker Audley, Katie Aselton, Chris Messina, Tunde Adebimpe, Jennifer Kim, Olivia Taylor Dudley, Michelle Rodriguez, Josh Lucas and Adam Wingard.

Pantheon is an American adult animated science fiction drama television series created by Craig Silverstein. The series is based on a series of short stories by Ken Liu. The first season premiered on September 1, 2022, on AMC+. In January 2023, the first season was removed from AMC+ and HIDIVE; and re-released on Amazon Prime Video with the second season in Australia and New Zealand on October 15, 2023.

<i>The Fallout</i> (film) 2021 film by Megan Park

The Fallout is a 2021 American drama film written and directed by Megan Park in her feature film directorial debut. The film stars Jenna Ortega as Vada Cavell, a high school student who navigates significant emotional trauma following a school shooting. The film also stars Maddie Ziegler, Julie Bowen, John Ortiz, Niles Fitch, Will Ropp, Shailene Woodley, and Lumi Pollack in supporting roles. The score is composed by American musician and actor Finneas O'Connell.

References

  1. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (March 9, 2018). "Taylor Schilling In 'Family': When Your Teen Niece Isn't Hooked On Drugs, But Juggalos – SXSW". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved March 16, 2019.
  2. ↑ Hipes, Patrick (September 12, 2018). "Taylor Schilling's SXSW Comedy 'Family' Acquired By Film Arcade". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved March 16, 2019.
  3. ↑ Nolfi, Joey (March 14, 2019). "Taylor Schilling wrangles juggalos and Kate McKinnon in Family trailer". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved March 16, 2019.
  4. ↑ "Family (2018)". Rotten Tomatoes . Fandango . Retrieved October 30, 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.