Suradit The movie is ridiculous. The overall "plot" is ridiculous. The humorous misunderstandings and paths to resolution and the behavior of characters generally is ridiculous. The bizarre juxtaposition of mafia, gay body-guards, insurrectionists, the wanna-be cook, the wanna-be interior decorator is ridiculous. The inability to follow simple cooking directions without a disaster and especially the need for the wonderful Edward Hibbert to train a group of ultra-macho mafia hit men to act like campy gay waiters is ridiculous … but the resulting performance of the waiters was good for some chuckles.If you're in the mood for ridiculous it was a moderately amusing movie. Not rolling on the floor funny, but fairly funny with a few out-loud laughs here and there. It is obviously mocking some stereotypical subplots found too often in gay movies and it is very much mocking itself as it mocks others … sometimes successfully lampooning, sometimes falling flat. Most of the characters are well played by an able crew of actors. Maybe it deals with an overly complex interweaving of stories for such a fluffy movie.If you're in the mood for some mindless silliness and not aiming to nitpick things that make no sense outside of the context of this story, it's probably worth a watch while you wait for the dryer to finish off your laundry.If you want edgy realism, politically correct characterizations and a satisfying dénouement to an on-going nail-biting crisis, don't even think about watching this disorganized & chaotic production.

Lechuguilla Although I liked the film's visual and musical style, and the production design was good, "Friends And Family" suffers from a terrible script and poor casting. The idea that two gay lovers would be part of a mafia ring is both silly and not credible. And the subplot of the paramilitary militia, as comedy, is stupid in the extreme. When you take these two plot contrivances out of the script, you don't have a story. I don't know what the screenwriter and the director were thinking; but this dreadful concept does not work.The other big problem here is the casting. The two male lead actors (Greg Lauren and Christopher Gartin, both of whom are obviously straight) have zero chemistry as gay lovers. Did they have in their contracts some stipulation that they would play gay roles only if they didn't have to touch each other? That's the impression that their so-called "performances" convey. Whatever reason, their on-screen "relationship" is more like best buddies with girlfriends who never show up. Casting truly gay actors, no matter how little talent they had, would have been more convincing.With the gay Richard character so flamboyant, and with all those drag queens, one wonders if the real intent of this film was actually to perpetuate gay stereotypes.As such, this movie seems like some cheaply made cinematic throwback to an earlier era, say the early 1980s, closer in time to "The Godfather", and when "gay" TV sitcoms and movies like "Tootsie" existed for viewers to laugh at gay people. "Friends And Family" is strictly for the Disney crowd and retro viewers. It's comfy, palatable, shallow fluff lacking in both real-world credibility and thematic depth.

wistariawing It's a good movie, although not excellent, but I think I still enjoy it. Those two guys are just damn hot!!! The single one flaw is that they seem more like real close friends than lovers to me. Okay sure for whatever's sake I can understand the no sex act and even no kiss part, but I'm quite confused that I don't even see them do the touching like a real couple would do -- no hugs, no pats, not even hand casually put on each other's shoulder or small of the back -- that's just not feeling right. Okay so they don't do any of these in public, but that scene where they two are sitting at the couch? That's at their own home! And they're sitting half an arm's length to each other! It's just so totally off especially with the topic they're talking. Anyway you can maybe, *maybe* put it for the reason of that "internal homophobia" they're talking about, but I just really having a hard time to buy that.Anyhow, Steven and Danny are HOT. Period. Got cute little scenes too, if only that they could make the feeling of lovers better.

lucyfan-3 That's the only way I can describe this dog. Just awful. Two chuckles for very rare "funny lines" and one star for finished product. I may lie to local video store & claim dvd was defective. At least I'll get a credit for wasted money! LOL! Could have been so much better without stereotypes & militia parent storyline. I do give my "hats off" to actors that portrayed Stephen & Danny. They were the only redeeming factors in a poorly written script. Did I mention that they were "easy on the eyes"? WOOF!