It Runs in the Family (2003)

28% of critics liked it
(96 reviews)
32% of users liked it
(5,595 ratings)

A family takes on the difficult task of learning how to get along with one another in this emotional comedy drama. Alex Gromberg (Michael Douglas) is a middle-aged man who feels caught in the middle of his familial obligations as he muddles he way through a midlife crisis. While a successful… More A family takes on the difficult task of learning how to get along with one another in this emotional comedy drama. Alex Gromberg (Michael Douglas) is a middle-aged man who feels caught in the middle of his familial obligations as he muddles he way through a midlife crisis. While a successful businessman, Alex sometimes still feels as if he's under the shadow of his father, Mitchell Gromberg (Kirk Douglas), a successful attorney whose skills in the courtroom outstripped his gifts as a parent. Elderly Mitchell has recently survived a stroke, and Alex and Mitchell want to mend their relationship while there's still time, but making it so proves difficult, even with Alex getting advice from his wife, psychologist Rebecca (Bernadette Peters), and Mitchell being prodded by his long-suffering wife, Evelyn (Diana Douglas). Alex is also trying to reach out to his two sons, who are as different as night and day; college student Asher (Cameron Douglas) is an aspiring club DJ who seems to be styling himself to bear no resemblance to his father, while 11-year-old Eli (Rory Culkin) is an overly serious lad who is having trouble navigating the first steps of adolescence. It Runs in the Family marked the first time Kirk Douglas acted in a film with his son Michael Douglas; adding to the family atmosphere was Michael's son Cameron Douglas, working with his family for the first time, and Diana Douglas, Kirk's former wife and Michael's mother. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 49 min.
Directed By: Fred Schepisi
Written By: Jesse Wigutow
Genres: Drama, Comedy

In Theaters: Apr 25, 2003 Wide
On DVD: Oct 21, 2003
Studio: MGM/UA

Critic Reviews

Rex Reed, New York Observer
A funny, articulate, imperfect, sometimes messy, often infuriatingly sentimental, but always caring and spirited movie.
Ed Park, Village Voice
Goes easy on the schmaltz, and the catastrophes have the puncturing feel of real life.
Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper
A lot of things, we see coming about three scenes in advance ... But, the three generations of Douglas' in particular, that's why I'm recommending this film.
Claudia Puig, USA Today
Worthwhile, though the story is predictable.
Geoff Pevere, Toronto Star
Acting together for the first time, Kirk and Michael Douglas have some powerful scenes together, which only makes you wish the entire project had tilted more towards Eugene O'Neill than Neil Simon.
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle
Achingly long and pointless, Runs is a movie about family that's dishonest in its presentation of every relationship.
Nell Minow, Common Sense Media
Disappointing story of a dysfunctional family.
Ryan Cracknell, Apollo Guide
Comes to DVD with a family scrapbook worth of special features.
Ryan Cracknell, Apollo Guide
Even though it flaunts its wealth, It Runs in the Family is a worthy tribute to all things Douglas.
Brian Gibson, Vue Weekly (Edmonton, Canada)
Like those family albums you take out of the drawer every so often...a collection of fairly bland scenes that mean a lot more to the people in the picture than anyone else.
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
The whole thing ends appropriately in a series of climaxes that bring it close to the ridiculous...
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
For what passes as a story, it's bickering and sniping, followed by outright hostility.
Jorge Avila Andrade, Moviola
'Tiene el grave defecto de un guión mal estructurado, que desaprovecha el talento de los protagonistas con diálogos poco creíbles y algunas situaciones forzadas'
Josh Gilchrist, rec.arts.movies.reviews
It seems as though the Douglas' were desperate to work together so they didn't bother going out to find a quality film.
Todd Gilchrist, FilmStew.com
. . . few audience members will find something in the mélange of clichéd and clever ideas that doesn't personally resonate at some level. It Runs In the Family knows the words, but not the music. . .
Mark Dujsik, Mark Reviews Movies
To show up to the set everyday must have been a chore in itself, but to actually read some of these lines and play some of these scenes with the little-to-no direction they seem to have received is a sign of true dedication.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Sunil J

Not really very original and pretty dull in parts.
Leo L

Simply beautiful!

Cast

            Michael Douglas as Alex Gromberg

            Kirk Douglas as Mitchell Gromberg

            Rory Culkin as Eli Gromberg

            Cameron Douglas as Asher Gromberg

            Diana Douglas as Evelyn Gromberg

            Bernadette Peters as Rebecca Gromberg

            Michelle Monaghan as Peg Maloney

            Geoffrey Arend as Malik

            Sarita Choudhury as Suzie

            Irene Gorovaia as Abby Staley

            Annie Golden as Deb

            Mark Hammer as Stephen Gromberg

            Audra McDonald as Sarah Langley

            Cameron Boyd as Skateboarder

            Ian Boyd as Skateboarder

            Roy Milton Davis as Homeless Man

            Carmen Lopez as Rosario

            Adrian Martinez as Mitchell's Doorman

            Josh Pais as Barney

            David Greenspan as Howard

            Jerome Preston Bates as Officer McDonough

            Bob Kaliban as Jim Lindsay

            Brenda Thomas Denmark as Teacher

            Robert Montano as Officer Crane

            Colman Domingo
            
            Ray Demattis as Italian Waiter

            Stephen Singer as Dr. Kaplan

            Adam Grupper as Principal

            Joel Rooks as Suit

            Marc Damon Johnson as Professor Edwards

            Keith Nobbs as Marc Stein

            Wynter Kullman as Katie

            Shantell Herndon as Young Jogger

            Antonio D. Charity as Jogger

            Alvin Crawford as Male Nurse

            Lisa Ann Frisone as Homeless Woman

            Linda Johnson as Teacher

            Derek Kelly as Driver

            Demetrius Kiprakis as Skateboarder

            Mark Ledbetter as Young Jogger

            Sara Meyer as Jogger

            Jonathan Mondel as Morgan

            Adam Mucci as Officer Samms

            Erik-Anders Nilsson as Jogger

            Kelly Overton as Erica

            Sho Ma "Xiao" as Skateboarder

            Louie Torrellas as Jeremy

            Diana Darrid Douglas
            
See full cast

It Runs in the Family (2003)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Sunil J

Leo L

Cast

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