Dermot Mulroney, Sarah Jessica Parker, Diane Keaton

A man brings his ice-queen girlfriend home for Christmas to meet his eccentric family. Overwhelmed by the hostile reception, the girlfriend begs her sister to join her for emotional support, only to t...( read more  read more... )rigger more problems.

Flixster Users

63% liked it

383,836 ratings

Critics

52% liked it

147 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 42 min.

Directed by: Tom Bezucha

Release Date: December 16, 2005

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DVD Release Date: May 2, 2006

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Stats: 15,287 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (15,287)


  • March 4, 2009
    A fine rainy-Saturday-afternoon movie. A little hard to see SJP play this type, but had plenty of enjoyable moments.
  • December 22, 2008
    A man brings his uptight girlfriend home to meet his family at Christmas with disastrous consequences. From the trailer this looks like a funny Christmas movie, but this is not a funny movie. I went to see this when it was released at Christmas and the ending made me sad.
  • December 7, 2008
    As the family is coming together for the Christmas holidays, the oldest son is bringing his girlfriend which is cause quite a lot of confrontations. While this situation cause a few more or less amusing scenes on the first half, the movie then falls into a whole in the middle par...( read more)t, getting unnecessarily sappy and losing most of the drive the good cast gathered in the beginning (except for Diane Keaton who is as annoying as always). With more and more characters acting not exactly understandable for the audience and partners switching somewhat randomly, causing constellations that just do not seem right which turns as quite a big problem for the ending of the film. With a little less political correctness and a little less drama this could have worked just fine, but as it is, the film is not all that much to write home about. Even when you are in the mood for a holiday movie.
  • May 2, 2008
    This movie I thought was kinda dumb but I liked the people in it.
  • April 6, 2008
    Thomas Bezucha's 'The Family Stone' surprised me. I expected a catty WASPish family satire ? that, at least, was the impression given in most reviews. I liked this a great deal. The discomfort felt by Sarah Jessica Parker's uptight career girl as she spends Christmas with her par...( read more)tner's close-knit New England liberal family is used to good effect, but as much awkwardness is felt as a result of their jibes as by her tactlessness, so she's not marked out solely as a stooge. Dermot Mulroney, Rachel McAdams (the best thing in Wes Craven's 'Red Eye'), Luke Wilson (a much better actor than brother Owen) and Diane Keaton also give fine turns, and Craig T. Nelson - another much underrated character actor ? is perfectly cast Keaton's husband. It's occasionally sentimental, as certain family secrets are revealed, but never in a sickly manner, and works principally because it's that rare Hollywood beast, a genuinely well written ensemble piece. Good work Mr Bezucha. Worth a look.
  • November 20, 2009
    It's an OK film, not the best though.
  • November 16, 2009
    very enjoyable movie....had too many unlikeable charactors though
  • November 11, 2009
    great film!!! very sad!!! so good. heart-warming.
  • November 7, 2009
    Un altro di quei film non particolarmente impegnativi a cui sono affezionata <3
    L'atmosfera natalizia non mi deprime giusto nei film.
  • October 20, 2009
    I cant count how many times I fell asleep while watching this movie

Critic Reviews


December 16, 2005
Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times

Some will find it touching, some will be too weary of the plot contrivances and the smug Stone family to care. full review

December 16, 2005
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

A feel-bad holiday film about a repellent family, with a milquetoast dad and a smug, devious harpy of a mom. full review

December 16, 2005
David Edelstein, Slate

There are cringe-worthy passages and an overly sentimental structure (everyone pairs up so very tidily), but the performances are delightful, and the picture comes together. full review

December 15, 2005
Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com

This is a family, and a movie, where everyone talks at once -- and more often than you'd think, its characters actually come up with something worth saying. full review

December 15, 2005
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

The Family Stone sorts out its characters admirably, depends on typecasting to help establish its characters more quickly, and finds a winding path between happy and sad secrets. full review

December 14, 2005
Nick Schager, Slant Magazine

A rank slice of Christmas cheese. full review

November 30, 2005
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

Writer-director Thomas Bezucha lays it on thick, but he knows the mad-dog anarchy of family life and gives the laughs a sharp comic edge. full review

View more The Family Stone reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • michellefortuin
    July 28, 2009
    Lovely! So sweet, and heartwarming. Of course the end is sad, but still I like this movie. The story is original!
  • partyatdeewhy
    April 9, 2007
    i agree.. luke wilson IS HOT!
  • sammiepinkley
    January 31, 2007
    Luke Wilson is HOOOT
  • bulldog77
    October 23, 2006
    i originally thought that luke wilsons caractor was gay haha but that soon changed. i quite liked it and this storyline could happen to any family, it really reminded me about what happens between people i no and their partners, always changing.
  • JesusOnlyKnows19
    October 2, 2006
    I did not likwe this movie.......
  • boycrazy44
    June 15, 2006
    It was ok...the only reason i saw it was b/c luke wilson was in it and man is he hott!
  • faeriedust921
    June 10, 2006
    Does it seem like a movie an average 9 year old would be able to watch? It's hard to find movies to go out and see with the family, and I have a younger relative who I plan on taking to the movies with my parents and I.
  • EmmaRobertsfan4life
    May 23, 2006
    its a every good movie in Fect its the best Family film ever made ...
  • BaatOwl
    May 22, 2006
    Hm... I am not sure about it, but I may see it someday and like it!

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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The Family Stone Trivia


  • Who is 'the worst' in The Family Stone?  Answer »
  • In what movie does Rachel McAdams play "Amy Stone"?  Answer »
  • Which member of the Stone family did Meredith Morton (Sarah Jessica Parker) end up with at the end of The Family Stone?  Answer »
  • Which 2005 Movie Stars All Of The Following; -Claire Danes -Diane Keaton -Rachel McAdams -Luke Wilson -Sarah Jessica Parker  Answer »

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