Family Business (1989)

38% of critics liked it
(16 reviews)
28% of users liked it
(7,543 ratings)

You've probably already guessed that the Family Business in this all-star melodrama is the business of crime. Adapted from a novel by Vincent Patrick, the film stars Sean Connery as Jessie McMullen, the patriarch of a family of career criminals, including his son Vito (Dustin Hoffman) and grandson… More You've probably already guessed that the Family Business in this all-star melodrama is the business of crime. Adapted from a novel by Vincent Patrick, the film stars Sean Connery as Jessie McMullen, the patriarch of a family of career criminals, including his son Vito (Dustin Hoffman) and grandson Adam (Matthew Broderick). Vito has gone legit, but college-educated Adam remains loyal to his grandfather. Reluctantly, Vito joins his father and son on a big-time heist involving millions of dollars' worth of test-tube specimens. There's many a slip-up and betrayal before the three generations can find a common ground. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 54 min.
Directed By: Sidney Lumet
Written By: Vincent Patrick
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Comedy

In Theaters: Dec 15, 1989 Wide
On DVD: May 20, 2003
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
The pleasure is watching Connery shine as a roguish criminal in a story line that never gels.
Chuck O'Leary, Fantastica Daily
A terrific seriocomic crime caper that nobody knew how to sell. Often feels like a 1970s movie that somehow ended up in 1989.
Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall
a bit of a mess
James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette
Utterly forgettable, even with its great cast
MaryAnn Johanson, Flick Filosopher
[S]urprisingly compelling...
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Star-studded cliched rubbish
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
Just barely worth checking out, and even then, it's only for the actors.

Read all 7 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Anthony L

A great cast but not a great film. Falls short of its potential but still worth a watch if it?s on TV!
Lafe F

Three generations of robbers, played by top actors, creates an interesting chemistry and chance for fun scenes. The relationship between the grandson (Matthew Broderick) and his grandfather (Sean Connery) is cool; the spike is with the daddy Dustin Hoffman. There's some sadness… More
Three generations of robbers, played by top actors, creates an interesting chemistry and chance for fun scenes. The relationship between the grandson (Matthew Broderick) and his grandfather (Sean Connery) is cool; the spike is with the daddy Dustin Hoffman. There's some sadness to be expected with the fun, however.
Steve K

Should have been a much better film. It's all rather bland.
Dean M

Bloody dull drama about a three-generation crime family and this is one of my worst Sean Connery, Dustin Hoffman and Matthew Broderick's movie.
xGary X

Cliched heist comedy drama that expects you to believe Sean Connery, Dustin Hoffman and Matthew Broderick are three generations of some kind of criminal dynasty. Feels like a loose collections of unconvincing mafioso sketches that relies entirely on the star names to gain credibility.… More
Cliched heist comedy drama that expects you to believe Sean Connery, Dustin Hoffman and Matthew Broderick are three generations of some kind of criminal dynasty. Feels like a loose collections of unconvincing mafioso sketches that relies entirely on the star names to gain credibility. It doesn't.
Andre T

An attempt to make a comedy/drama with great movie stars, but the chemistry blows out in a void and melodramatic screenplay and poor performances.Such a waste.

Read all 6 featured audience ratings

Cast

            Sean Connery as Jessie McMullen

            Dustin Hoffman as Vito McMullen

            Matthew Broderick as Adam McMullen

            Rosanna de Soto as Elaine McMullen

            Janet Carroll as Margie

            Victoria Jackson as Christine

            Bill McCutcheon as Doheny

            Deborah Rush as Michele Dempsey

            Marilyn Cooper as Rose

            Salem Ludwig as Nat

            Rex Everhart as Ray Garvey

            James Tolkan as Judge

            Marilyn Sokol as Marie

            John Capodice as Tommy

            Thomas A. Carlin as Neary

            Willie C. Carpenter as "Caper" Cop

            Ed Crowley as Charlie

            Tony di Benedetto as Phil

            Paul Forrest as Tenor #2

            George Kodisch as Wake Cop

            Hal Lehrman as Assistant DA

            Joe Lisi as Desk Sergeant

            Arthur C. Pierce as Convict

            Wendell Pierce as Prosecutor

            William Preston Robertson as Flask Mourner

            Kas Self as Stand-in for Mr. Hoffman

            June Stein as Diner Waitress

            Alberto Vasquez as Prisoner #1

            David Warshofsky as Parking Attendant

            B.D. Wong as Jimmy Chiu

            Luis Guzman as Torres

            Jack O'Connell as Police Lieutenant

            Conrad Fowkes as "Caper" Detective

            Raymond H. Bazemore as "Caper" Guard

            James Carruthers as Court Clerk

            John Connell as Wake "Suit" Cop

            Nick Discenza as Detective

            Susan Korn as Margo

            Dermot McNamara as Casket Mourner

            Isabell Monk as Judge

            Karen Needle as Denise

            Aideen O'Kelly as Widow Doheny

            Elizabeth A. Reilly as Phil's Girl Friend

            Tom Dillon as Tenor

            Jack A. O'Connell as Police Lieutenant

            Rosanna DeSoto
            
            James S. Tolkan
            
See full cast