rexpage
The movie illustrates a kind of family and personal dysfunction common in the American South. Great character studies, and full of great lines, one of which is "armed robbery, then", perfectly delivered by the preacher with an extreme close-up on his lips after being corrected in his specification of the crime committed by Daddy's brother after asking the congregation to keep the family in its prayers during the coming time of trouble with the law. Another great line, delivered by Ruby (Laura Dern): "The English seem very smart. They talk pretty even when they're mad." As a bonus, the music is great, too, including a song by John Prine performed during the credits that nails, in a touching way, the relationship between the principal characters.
bug76
I'm from the south and though I'm sure people are like these people in the film, I don't know of any. The reason for the 8/10 was because of Jim Varney's performance. It was refreshing seeing him in a different light even though I grew up on 'Ernest P. Worrell', who is still my favorite. I understood what BBT was going for but I don't think he got there. There was too much bickering between Ruby and Claude, with jealousy as the constant instigator, and too much bad language for my tastes. And this may not be fair, but I took off a star because of the foul words Varney had said. I just can't wrap my head around the fact that he said them. I wanted more scenes with Varney but I'm guessing that because of the cancer and him needing surgery changed all that. BBT did the right thing in adding Varney to the cast. The courtroom scene is one of my favorites in the whole film. I wish Varney was still alive. He had a lot more in him and he was a tremendous talent. "The good ones die first". I can see from the others on IMDb that the reviews are mixed. It wasn't a bad movie but BBT did better as 'Sling Blade'.
Garbo46
After reading a number of IMDb reviews, I looked forward to this movie. I'm from the deep south, Mississippi, and love southern stories with eccentric characters. However, I did not identify with much in this movie. First of all, the dialogue is so heavy on the f-word that I felt embarrassed and annoyed. Southerners have more dignity and elegance. These are characters I would never want to live next door. I don't really know people quite so rude, and openly discussing sex in public is a no-no for southerners I have known. Of course, maybe I know more of those for whom the Bible-belt actually has meaning. Even when the moments become more tender towards the end, the scenes are too long and soon become boring. For me, the movie "Sordid Lives" offers a better depiction of colorful southern characters, and if you really want an odd role for Andy Griffith, see "Rustlers' Rhapsody." I can see why there was a problem with distribution of this picture. After we'd seen "Daddy & Them," my little southern group agreed that the movie is "a little less than OK."
wanderleg
First off, let me say that I am a southerner.I'm also a fan of Billy Bob Thornton, but I can't say that all of his movies are works of genius. When he's good, he's very, very good...etc.I watched "Daddy and Them" and thought I had really stumbled onto a gem! Also written and directed by Billy Bob, it portrays two of the most dysfunctional families ever. They are his immediate family, plus his wife's (Laura Dern), who've gotten together because Uncle Hazel (Jim Varney, in a very small, thankfully non-Ernest role) has been arrested for attempted murder.To top it off, these people are the epitome of Arkansas rednecks! Diane Ladd is in it, as is Andy Griffith. Since it's a Billy Bob-er, the language is kinda raw, and it's a real hoot to see and especially hear old Sheriff Andy get down and dirty! He plays BB's elderly, semi-senile father.Very humorous, with more than a few belly laughs... up until 1:10, or thereabouts, then the whole thing just collapsed! It went into a final half-hour or so of boring, self-absorbed pseudo-psychological angst and apologia claptrap. What a come-down! I guess it was intended to make the film "relevant," or something, but what it really did was to make it a semi-disaster.I'd recommend looking at the first 2/3rds, then, when BB starts to become a self-analyzing motormouth, turn it off and play Scrabble, or something.
AD
