simonconnolly72-467-863881 You see many a film where you say " Wow, that's a bit coincidental". Then you see this and it goes to a whole new level, and you think the director and writer just think you are stupid and will buy anything. I'm referring to the utterly ridiculous set up of a French village high school newspaper that miraculously makes it's way to a mob boss in a New York penitentiary. Not completely unbelievable, except for the fact that the son of Robert DeNiro who is wanted dead by the mob boss, goes to this school, and just so happens to write an anecdote he remembers when he was a little boy that was said by yep guess who? the mob boss reading it. Added to that the boss reads the one tiny section of the newspaper with the anecdote. And that ruined the film for me.....til the last 20 minutes or so.The story has much promise but I felt it could have been so much better. The premise is good but sometimes the styles of the film jar. You have thrillers with comic elements and comedies with thriller elements but with this the styles jar. One second you are watching a comedy and the next it's a violent edge of your seat thriller. It maybe extreme as an example but imagine you were watching the French connection and then you had some anchorman humour in. And here lies a big problem with the film. You are supposed to be on the families side and they do crazy things in a comical style but then next minute the film serious so the things they do then seem violent. Take the daughter Belle for example. In the context of a comedy she's a no nonsense chick who beats the crap out of anyone who upsets her. But then she's a stalker who becomes suicidal and wants to die after a very fleeting romance with an unrequited love. If we are in comedy territory we can get away with it, but when the film gets serious all these things make her seem unhinged. Are we watching a comic character or a serious one? this is an example where the styles don't meld.DeNiro is ok, but you never really believe he was once a threatening mafioso even though he's played many in the past. Maybe age has softened him, but it seems he just walks through this. It's not terrible or bad, just not the conscientious work and characterisation from his younger years...but then scripts and movies don't offer that as much for an actor. Overall, I found it watchable, the film goes into mainly thriller territory last 20 minutes and is pretty good, but even then comic elements are added which just jar.

Hombredelfuturo ...first the movie is very well done (unlike many commentators that seem that do not know about Cinema technical aspects commenting how bad is Besson as director...), the original music and the selected tunes are perfect, all the actors are pretty good here included the cartoonish roles, the color palette is well choose, even the final titles are cool. Second, do not expect more than a meantime movie but good crafted and remembering that still this is cinema may be not the best but is not a TV movie.The plot is simple but full of cliché of the mafia genre; this could be good or bad depending on your side. There s a big mistake in the plot regarding a barbecue/party, but seemed the only way to make the "connection" between couple of characters; anyway, the "first" section of the movie is somewhat too "Hollywood" regarding High school stereotypes and the pace is not good enough; may be cut a few minutes there could be better; however in the "final" part, the things start to speed up a bit and the motion is right there. Plus D Agron is really a beauty (a talented one)

Muri da This film kept me entertained all the way through, which is not a common experience for me.The acting was great and the cinematography was beautiful. The story- very compelling and thought provoking. If you like films that make you think, relate deeply to real life situations and explore those issues we don't talk too much about, then this is the film for you. 10/10 Actions have consequences and this film explores the long-term repercussions of temporary arrogant gain.If you like Robert De Niro, you will love this film, he portrays the character beautifully.Gripping, entertaining and a solid film.It was not what I expected at first out of the film but it is a decent thriller, better than my initial expectation.IF you enjoy thrillers that are realistic then this is a great experience, you won't regret.

FilmBuff1994 The Family is a mediocre movie with an averagely written storyline and a mostly terrific cast. The performances are what really hold it together, keeping it modestly entertaining, Robert De Niro plays a really intriguing character who had a great droll personality, Michelle Pfeiffer shines as his wife and his scenes with Tommy Lee Jones are my favourite, seeing the two of them acting together was a pleasure. I did not enjoy the teenagers storyline, it was very typical teen comedy, as we see a relationship develop between De Niro's daughter and her math teacher, it was poor and easily could have been done just as effectively in twenty minutes on a television series. As for the main plot, though there were certain scenes I really liked, such as the Top 10 and the interview, it lacks originality, there is nothing here we have not seen before, and it feels as if they are aware of that, it makes no attempts to be different or to stand out in any way, which every movie should. It has its moments, but The Family misses more times than it hits, and I would say it is better off avoided. The heads of a Mafia family move to France under a Witness Protection Program. Best Performance: Robert De NiroWorst Performance: Dianna Agron