dallasryan
Staying Together is cliched at times but ultimately it's an honest script with honest relationships and pretty good acting all around by the three leads. A film that always kind of touches the heart a little and makes you smile, definitely worth the watch for the endearment. Also Daphne Zuniga is worth watching on this one too.
adamshl
Writer Monte Merrick had his work cut out for him here: crafting an intimate, average American family drama that takes place in a small town. Opportunities for high drama seem limited from the start. Unless one creates a "Peyton Place" or "King's Row" type situation full of scandal, there's really not much excitement going on in these environments.Merrick wisely chose a "coming of age" situation with the boys, matched with parental business ambition, and worked up an engaging script. Director Lee Grant likewise fell right into the small town environment and keenly expressed the hopes, dreams and ambitions of its key residents.The result is an often touching enactment with interesting characters and situations. True, it often rings familiar with TV sitcoms, but then there's just so much one can make of these basic ingredients. The cast is uniformly strong, with Sean Astin, Dermot Mulroney, and Tim Quill as the boys and Stockard Channing as an ambitious local politician. I saw this film when it first came out and I must say it made a positive impression, so memorable that I've returned to it via DVD over the years. There are not many small town, average family dramas out there, and "Staying Together" is a touching piece of work in this limited genre.
preppy-3
I saw this when it originally played in theatres back in 1989. I remember being VERY underwhelmed by it. I walked out thinking "oh--I've just seen another movie".It's the story of three brothers growing up and having to deal with various crises. The problem is that ALL the plot lines have been done before...and better. I always knew how the stories were going to end and, to make it worse, the film drags everything out. Everything is done so quietly and in a matter of fact manner. Even when people were yelling or telling each other off it came across as strangely muted. The only thing that saves the film is that all the acting is good. Sean Astin and Dermot Mulroney especially stood out (and have gone on to successful careers). It's not a terrible film just a very predictable one with nothing new to say or add.
Warren Demurjian
Not for everyone, but I really like it. Nice ensemble cast, with nice contributions from better known players (like Stockard Channing) and strong eye candy (from Sheila Kelley). What really works is the bond between the three brothers! Try it, you'll smile a little.
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