Everybody’s Fine (Kirk Jones, 2009): USA/Italy

Reviewed by Lisa Blondell.  Viewed at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, Hollywood.

One of director Kirk Jones’ first films has a star-studded cast, including Robert De Niro, Drew Barrymore, and Sam Rockwell.   Everybody’s Fine is a character driven film which introducing the audience to almost every emotion.  I laughed, cried, and felt uplifted.  At the Hollywood Film Festival, this film won the Hollywood Film Award and Hollywood Actor Award for Robert De Niro.  This film is not just another “family feel good film,” it is a touching story of determination, struggle, lies, love, and reconnection.

For Frank (De Niro) communicating with his children was more about lecturing and pressuring them to succeed, rather than listening to their feelings; that was his wife’s job.  When his wife passed away, Frank lost connection to his family.  When Frank finally realizes he is slowly divorcing himself with his kids, he decides to take a spontaneous road trip across the country to spend time with each of this grown up children.  Although he spends time with his kids, he still feels distance with each of them.  Throughout the entire film, the filmmaker gives the audience a glimpse of what Frank is thinking by showing the grown up children as young kids.  I thought that was a key element in getting into Frank’s head.  There is one scene that really stood out to me.  Frank is having an illusory lunch with the kids, but the kids are very young.  The little bit of confusion when Frank meets with each kid, is completely cleared up that moment.  This scene is informational to the audience as well as beautifully shot and suitable to the storyline.

Having the opportunity to meet Barrymore after the film and see De Niro before the film may have influenced my opinion of the film a bit, but it was hands down one of the best films I saw at this year’s AFI Film Festival.  Everybody’s Fine is being released in December, just in time for the holidays.  I strongly recommend seeing this film this holiday season with either your parents, siblings, or both.  It truly shows the importance of family.  This film is not just targeted to an older audience.  It is relatable to a multiple audience, whether you have a very strong relationship with your family or a weak one.  Widowers may relate, sisters and brothers may relate, parents and children may relate to this film.