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Once the stores have cranked up their Christmas music and the neighbors have inflated that giant Santa Claus that lights up their whole yard, it’s time once again for the usual flood of holiday films. Sometimes silly, sometimes gut-wrenching, they’re often as grating as another rendition of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” after a long day at the mall. But director Kirk Jones’s Italian remake, Everybody’s Fine, offers a rare holiday commodity: restraint.
Frank Goode (Robert De Niro) dedicated his life to phone lines—or at least the protective coating that goes around them. But although he spent most of his life providing reliable communication for other people, Frank was never really one for phone calls—or communication in general. And now that he’s retired—and his wife has died—he realizes that he doesn’t really know all that much about his four grown kids.
After all four of his kids fail to show up for a highly anticipated family weekend, Frank decides that if his kids are too busy to visit, he’ll just have to go to them instead. But, with each visit, he realizes that things aren’t as he expected. His kids are keeping secrets from him—the biggest involving his artist son, David, who hasn’t been heard from for days.
While other holiday films tend to go all out on the holiday schmaltz, Everybody’s Fine offers all things in moderation. It’s funny without trying too hard to make you laugh. It’s sentimental but not excessively so; it will tug at your heartstrings, but it won’t rip your heart out of your chest and stomp on it. And although you’ll have an idea of where it’s all going from the minute it begins, it’s not an unbearably Christmas-cookie-cutter story.
At times, Everybody’s Fine is a challenging film, forcing you to evaluate your own family relationships—and, here, no one is completely without blame. Still, as the main character, Frank shoulders much of the responsibility. A hardworking and well-meaning father, he encouraged his kids, pushing them to be the best that they could be, never willing to settle for anything less. But he begins to realize that, while he was busy pushing them, he never really took the time to listen to them. Meanwhile, his kids worry that they haven’t lived up to their father’s ideal (and they never will). And they all find themselves caught up in secrets and lies, all trying to protect one another (and, especially, their tough old dad) from the cold, hard reality.
Frank gives this unhurried holiday film an uncommon perspective—and De Niro makes it all seem natural and effortless. From the lightly comedic moments to the achingly dramatic moments, he rises to the challenge, giving the film warmth and honesty—and a touch of humor, just when you need it the most. The rest of the cast members, too, offer their own heartfelt performances—especially Sam Rockwell, who plays Frank’s musical son, Robert.
Though Everybody’s Fine is often heartbreaking, it’s also thoughtful and sincere. It’s even light and amusing at times. And while it may not be entirely original, the talented cast—and the director’s refreshing restraint—sets it apart in the usual flurry of holiday films.
DVD Review:
Despite its recent cut-backs (and that big For Sale sign that’s firmly planted in its ever-shrinking front yard), Miramax Films continues to release the occasional refreshingly unexpected film—like the surprisingly restrained family drama Everybody’s Fine. While there’s no Blu-ray release scheduled for Everybody’s Fine (or other recent Miramax releases, like The Boys Are Back and Chéri), these films are, at least, coming out on DVD. But it’s no real surprise that these releases are rather light on extras.
The DVD release of Everybody’s Fine includes just a couple of special features. There are seven deleted/extended scenes, most of which are just the slower scenes—or those that just didn’t work. If you pay attention, though, you’ll catch a great moment when a cast member steps out of character.
The release’s other short feature shows not the making of the film itself but the making of Paul McCartney’s Golden Globe nominated song, “(I Want To) Come Home.” The 10-minute featurette includes interviews with Sir Paul about the process and his inspiration—and it even offers a glimpse of his home studio. Of course, it’s a must-see for McCartney fans—but, even if you’re not a huge fan, this interesting extra is well worth a few minutes of your time.
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