Ben Foster, Gary Wilmes, Ginnifer Goodwin

Morrie Tanager never got to leave his family home. His parents died and he was left to raise his two siblings, Ida and Jay. Life is no bed of roses. Morrie stuggles to juggle his own personal and prof...( read more  read more... )essional life, while making amends for the trouble his free-spirited brother and sister cause about town.

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47% liked it

1,526 ratings

R, 1 hr. 29 min.

Directed by: Craig Lucas

Release Date: January 24, 2008

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DVD Release Date: October 21, 2008

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Stats: 198 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (198)


  • January 14, 2009
    Interesting indie elaborating on dysfunctional families, one that will give you a pleasant time, would you decide to watch it. Ben Foster is excellent as always, and so is Matthew Perry. The women of the cast (including Hillary Swank) didn't offer me any excitement. The scenario ...( read more)is witty and there is one scene at the park which is hilarious beyond belief. As far as the drama goes, well...there's not much of it and being in the vast category of dramas that deal with family issues, the competition is great, so Birds of America doesn't do such a great job keeping up since its approach is semi-sentimental and rather superficial. Worth a watch for the acting and a few good elements which you might be able to receive.
  • November 21, 2008
    Note: As far as dramas about dysfunctional families go, this one is as awful as that sort of family can be in reality: unfocused, tiresome, self-important and, eventually, disgusting.

    This is the basement of Hell.

    Beware.
  • October 23, 2008
    Jay: "People need to be jolted.
    Morrie: No, people need to be comforted, and you don't comfort them by satisfying your own curiosity about breaking down boundaries and rules. Some people really like their rules, they've chosen them, and you don't get to choose what rules other ...( read more)people obey or not; they do."


    Morrie Tananger (Matthew Perry) is a college professor who lives in the home he shared with his parents and siblings as a child. His father committed suicide and his mother succumbed to cancer so he is back at home. His wife, Betty (Lauren Graham) is anxious to start a family but this sentiment is not shared by Morrie. He is not making a lot at the college and wants to wait until his position there is more established and he is tenured. As it happens in stories like this his departmental superior, Paul (Gary Wilmes) and his wife Laura (Hilary Swank) live next door. Ostensibly Paul is Morrie's best friend. Paul and Laura are all too perfect and happy especially when compared to Morrie's family. After Morrie's brother Jay (Ben Foster) is beaten and left in the proverbial ditch he experiences a change in in his world view and feels he is on a Christian mission. While recuperating he moves back in with Morrie and Betty. This also prompts a visit by their sister Ida (Ginnifer Goodwin). She aspires to be a photographer but is not able to make her mark in the field. Disappointed she resorts to copious quantities of alcohol and meaningless sex to numb her feelings. Graham and Perry prove there is life after a long term television series. Both step out of the characters they are best known for and demonstrate that they are considerable talents. This is one that is pleasing and enjoyable. Hilary Swank's got a strange small role as an annoying neighbor, but Swank's not funny enough with it. It presents its story straightforwardly and lets it play out for the viewer. Some things work, some things don't. More work than not.
  • July 25, 2009
    "But sometimes, sometimes kindness is wiser than truth."
    A great, weird, low-key drama about three siblings trying to come to terms and accept one another for who they really are.
    Great cast with among others Matthew Perry, Ben Foster, Lauren Graham and the amazing Ginnifer Goodwin.
  • November 22, 2009
    at first it felt a little boring... but then i wonder how it ends..
    beautiful screenplay..
  • October 30, 2009
    Saw this movie, although from what I recall, it was under the title "Laws of Motion", which made it pretty much impossible to find online (I'm still confused by this). Like it, and would like to see it again. It's very real. I think it captured the dysfunctional family thing well.
  • October 30, 2009
    Wasn`t too bad. Entertaining, but kind of confusing at the same time.
  • August 23, 2009
    I really liked this movie. Thought it was funny, dark, and really interesting. Love indie movies. I think they are the best kind of movies. Love Ben Foster in this. Matthew Perry was great, and it was good to see him in more of a drama type film then comedies.. Loved Ginnifer Goo...( read more)dwins character. She was a free spirit. Hilary Swank was quite boring though.
    It's basically about three siblings still greiving over their parents death and trying to accept each other and the way they live their lives.. I just think that some people can relate. I think its a movie worth seeing.
  • July 27, 2009
    Weird, but funny... at some points at least. But it's a bit too slow.
  • July 10, 2009
    Some might find it too weird and crazy but i love weird and crazy. I was entertained.

Comments


  • terris85017
    October 24, 2008
    This sounds like intensely sensitive subject matter......daring to combine all of these different elements.....Grieving is a long process...My father just died and it reminds me of my brother's sudden untimely death years earlier....Looking forward to seeing this one.

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