Reuniting The Rubins (2010)

0% of critics liked it
(18 reviews)
61% of users liked it
(217 ratings)

Lenny Rubins, an up-tight lawyer, puts his dream retirement on hold when his ailing mother emotionally blackmails him into reuniting his estranged children for a Jewish holiday. They may be peas from the same pod, but in Lenny's eyes, his grown up children are certainly not from the same planet: a… More Lenny Rubins, an up-tight lawyer, puts his dream retirement on hold when his ailing mother emotionally blackmails him into reuniting his estranged children for a Jewish holiday. They may be peas from the same pod, but in Lenny's eyes, his grown up children are certainly not from the same planet: a control-freak hard-nosed capitalist, an outspoken argumentative eco-warrior committed to the cause, an outer worldly Buddhist Monk; and to cap it all a bible bashing born-again Rabbi! They might not see eye to eye, but they are still family and it is going to take a whole lot of soul searching and sacrifice for all involved to come together in this heart warming, comic, family drama that will have you thinking of your own family with a smile. -- (C) Official Site

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 39 min.
Directed By: Yoav Factor
Written By: Yoav Factor
Genres: Drama, Kids & Family, Art House & International, Comedy

In Theaters: Mar 16, 2012 Limited
On DVD: Apr 23, 2012
Studio: Monterey Media

Critic Reviews

Kerry Lengel, Arizona Republic
"Reuniting the Rubins" may walk like a comedy and quack like a comedy, but despite the absurd extremes to which it takes the squabbling-family formula, it inspires nary a chuckle.
Dennis Harvey, Variety
Theoretical laughter, tears and maudlin contrivance ensue.
Gary Goldstein, Los Angeles Times
A frantic, badly constructed, slightly offensive muddle that doesn't so much end as run out of things on a checklist.
Neil Genzlinger, New York Times
The script includes little back story and lots of button-pushing shorthand, none of which feels genuine...
Eric Hynes, Village Voice
What happens when you put a rabbi, a Buddhist monk, a high-strung capitalist, and a lesbian humanitarian together in the same room? Not comedy, it turns out.
Chuck Bowen, Slant Magazine
Yoav Factor can't decide whether he wants to play his broad scenario as an exaggerated farce or as a heartwarming testament to blood ties.
Simon Gallagher, What Culture
Reuniting the Rubins is harmless, unspectacular comedy, let down by a poor script and light-weight direction, which might have been more at home on a Sunday on ITV. It isn't the worst thing you'll see this year, but it will be difficult to remember.
Kevin Harley, Total Film
An ensemble piece wobbling between undercooked drama and low-powered farce...
David Parkinson, Radio Times
A mediocre sitcom with too many preachy subplots.
Philip French, Observer [UK]
Most people would rather spend five years in a Hamas dungeon than endure their company.
Sam Bathe, Fan The Fire
There are some films so bad, they don't warrant a review. This is one of them.
Anthony Quinn, Independent
Give me an oy. Give me a vey.
Derek Malcolm, This is London
It's a decent idea gone wrong for want of a better script and tighter direction.
Allan Hunter, Daily Express
Like a cheap, uninspired ITV bank holiday drama in which a decent cast is left stranded by a lousy script and lifeless direction.
Catherine Shoard, Guardian [UK]
Rubins ultimately sinks beneath the weight of its own gubbins.
Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall
A contrived script and clunky direction undermine this British film, which veers from silly comedy to harsh drama to dark tragedy.
Graham Young, Birmingham Post
The film has its moments, but the score is so achingly intrusive I felt I was suffering from Rubinoid arthritis.
Eve Barlow, Empire Magazine
As dysfunctional movie families go, the Rubins hardly linger in the memory.