Ditsy, a little wacky, but mostly heartfelt the film The Family Fang has been released on DVD. With a very fine cast, a very kooky premise and able direction by actor/director and producer Jason Batemen make the film an instant winner. Fitting into the mold of Indie comedies like Little Miss Sunshine, Mistress America and About a Boy, if you like any of the aforementioned titles then this is your cup of tea.
Annie (Nicole Kidman) and Baxter (Jason Bateman) fang, children of a very weird couple Caleb (Christopher Walken) and Camille (Maryann Plunkett) find themselves grown, but not good with how they turned out. Caleb has always been a joker with a need for attention to his wild antics. His wife Camille has always supported him and feels strongly about their whimsical life that has taken many unusual twists including some very embarrassing ones for their children. Now in their early 50’s Annie and Baxter want apologies for their awkward lives growing up. In an attempt to contact their estranged parents however, things are not going too well.
Director Jason Bateman takes the helm of The Family Fang looking to best his previous Bad Words outing and he easily overshadows the little indie with a more even and likable piece of work. Keeping The Family Fang moving at a good pace, getting his actors to deliver fine performances and providing some very offbeat comedy, he delivers the much needed laughter to offset the quirky profound story.
But, what shines here are the performances that hold the script together with characters you grow to love and sympathy that’s genuine. As the struggling writer Baxter, Bateman still loves his parents no matter how they humiliated him as a child, teen and his formative years. His character really has no regrets until his parents go missing and presumed dead. Then it’s his sister Annie who pushes him to find the two, wanting to prove that it’s all been a big hoax like they have pulled off a lot over the many years.
As Annie, Nichole Kidman gives a nice performance, upping her value since her last two years from ho-hums like Before I Go to Sleep and Strangerland. Here she’s the kind of character you can empathize with in her quest to get even for all that has been heaped upon her when a child growing up in the crazy family. Annie, now a notable actress needs an expression of regret from Caleb and Camille for putting her through the tempestuous early life. She’s strong minded in setting out to get it no matter what may happen along the way. She has never forgiven them and you can see the determination to receive an apology embodied in Kidman’s performance.
The Family Fang has been rated R by the MPAA for some language. But, it’s the questionable actions of the adults and the situations that are projected on the screen that are more important in the R rating here. Be very cautious when deciding to allow immature children see the film as it does have some scenes that are inappropriate for adolescents.
FINAL ANALYSIS: The very good direction and acting make this wacky film worth a watch. (B-)
Specifications and additional video information:
Cast: Nicole Kidman, Jason Bateman, Christopher Walken, Maryann Plunkett, Jason Butler Harner, Harris Yulin, Linda Emond, Alexandra Wentworth, Michael Chernus, Marin Ireland, Danny Burstein, Gabriel Ebert, Kathryn Hahn, Scott Shepherd, Steve Witting
Directed By: Jason Bateman
Genre: Comedy, Drama
MPAA Rating: Rated R for some language
Running Time: 1 hr. 46 min.
Release Date: July 5, 2016
Original Theatrical Release Date: May 6, 2016
Video Release Date: July 5, 2016
Language: English
Reviewed Format: DVD
Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1
Video: Widescreen Aspect Ratio 2.35:1
Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish
Number of Discs: 1 Disc
Distributed by: Anchor Bay Entertainment
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
