MovieChat Forums > It Runs in the Family (2003) Discussion > Why did everyone hate this film?

Why did everyone hate this film?

posted 19 years ago by JustCuriosity
6 replies | jump to latest

I honestly don't know why so many people hated this film. I thought it was actually quite charming and much better than all of the negative press that its gotten on these boards. I thought the family dynamics were very real and very believable. To be honest, parts of it reminded me of moments I've seen in my family and lots of other families that I know. I'm sure they reflected a lot of the Douglas families own personal dynamics. It showed a lot about how complicated and painful families can be.

There were moments that were quite hysterical (although Uncle Stephen's Funeral was a bit much). Also, the film was very Jewish and I think there are moments and elements that might be hard for non-Jews and non-New Yorkers to truly connect with. If you've never been to a Passover Seder, I'm not sure that you can connect with all of the humor and complexity of that scene, for example.

I can't believe people are complaining about Kirk Douglas's acting. He was about 86 when they filmed this. I think his performance was quite remarkable for 86. He's not the actor that he was in Paths of Glory and Spartacus, but what do people expect?

This film says an awful lot about families, careers, relationships, aging, death, growing-up, fatherhood, fear of failure, and a lot of other subjects. I'm not surprised that it did poorly at the box office. Its a little too intelligent for a lot of Americans these days.

[–] bex_and_the_city9 19 years ago

true say bud

[–] Howlin Wolf 19 years ago

... whereas really this is more of an episodic musing on familial bonds.

SPOILER - The scene where Kirk Douglas' character finds his wife dead was probably one of the most affecting in the movie. Even if he does give an "old man's" performance, he's playing an old man; so there's nothing more appropriate, is there?!

It's a slow-burner with abstract themes - it never had 'box-office hit' written all over it in the first place. 6/10.

"Women remember, Steve - it's like they've got minds of their own!"

[–] bradschmad 16 years ago

JustCuriosity- couldnt have agreed more buddy. Some mannerisms of Kirk in the movie reminded me of my own grandfather. How terrible it would be to be married for that long and have the one you love pass away. The scene where he goes to grab a glass of water chilled in the fridge...so sad.

[–] soo-soo 16 years ago

I didn't think it was a bad film - the writing and direction was good, Kirk and Michael Douglas were excellent and believable and the family conflicts and tensions ran true to life, without the ususal cliches. Two related things distracted me - the awfulness of Cameron Douglas (especially when compared to the talent and competence of everyone else) and the whole family project feel about it which just caused a real suspension of belief problem for me.

An interesting curiosity.

[–] ozcalmore 15 years ago

Yeah it was on TV last night

I agree with the points you have made, this film effectively explored many aspects of family, Fatherhood in particular, but also Marriage was conveyed very interestingly, with the elderly partnership, (kirk douglas)

and also the middle aged marriage (micheal douglas).

While Asher gave some comic relief and made the movie more fun

[–] Zuider_Zee 11 years ago

It was unfocused and meandered far too much. Too much was crammed into short space of time with little attention paid to development.