Friends & Family

 

 

Create your own review

The movie never finds its tone. It's supossed to be funny but it isn't, mainly due to its unbelievavility. The director treats some scenes as if it were high-comedy, and others as pure caricature, and it doesn't work. The first ones end up as ridiculous and the second ones as tiresome.
Also this is one of those movies where the 2 main characters are a gay couple and they almost don't touch each other during the whole movie. And I think they don't kiss once.
The dvd has a full-screen transfer.

Friends and Family is the story of two gay men who work for the mafia. When one man's father (an FBI agent), comes to town, the guys must pretend to be caterers in order to prevent trouble. But all is not what it seems, and this film culminates in an elaborate feast with several different groups trying to trick eachother.

While I enjoyed Friends and Family, I found the main couple lacked chemistry. If possible, they were just TOO good looking. The pair looked like they belonged in an advertisement for GQ rather than in the mafia. (I'd much prefer a more homely pair with stronger acting talents), I did think the actor who portrayed the mafia boss, did an excellent job, and the cooking scene and the scenes with the drag queens were amusing.

Overall, this movie reminds me of a combination of "Wedding Banquet and the Bird Cage." Fun, light comedy, but nothing too original.

"Friends and Family" a film homage to the screwball comedies of the 1930's is a big puffy soufflé. The opening credits are clever and beautifully photographed. They set up a perfect tone for a sparkling comedy of screwball manners. After the credits fade, something goes wrong and all the air in this concoction slowly escapes like a whoopee cushion being sat upon by a large mobster.
The premise of the film is clever and with a talented cast of fine New York actors there are moments in the movie that are indeed funny. But you have to wait for them. This film is not the rollercoaster ride it wants to be, it is the line waiting to get onto it.
In possession of one of the truly handsome faces on the screen today, Greg Lauren is coolly menacing as the straight acting Steven Torcelli gay mob hit man with his partner/lover Danny Russo. His comic timing is well placed and contrasts well with the zany characters he is surrounded by. As Steven's boyfriend and fellow killer, Christopher Gartin does well in the bland role of Danny. Yet with most of the comedy chores going to Lauren he becomes not much more than comedic wallpaper. Tony Lo Bianco is well cast as the Don of the mob family and brings well-timed humor to his role especially in his phone conversation with the Senator. Anna Maria Alberghetti turns the role of wife to the Don into something other than the expected creating a comic black widow eager to have her sons assume the roles of killers for the family.
Tovah Feldshuh and Brian Lane Green catapult themselves over the top as midwestern parents of the boy who is to marry into the mob family. They have fun in their roles but somehow their comedy is too strident and clashes with the rest of the ensembles more polished performances. Beth Fowler gives the best performance in the film and has just the right edge to her character as the mother of Steven. She steals the spotlight every time she appears on screen.
The look of the film is marvelous. The cinematography by John Leuba is so rich and atmospheric that it gives "Friends and Family" the look of a studio film from the era it means to honor. But a film such as this needs to have much more going for it than just a pretty face, it needs energy.
The major problem with "Friends and Family" lies in two camps. First there is the screenplay by Joseph Triebwasser. There are a few good scenes, but where it strives to be a light and fast-paced comedy in the manner of Hawks or Capra is fails. It is not much more than a plodding pilot for a WB sitcom. It needs tightening and several more re-writes and a good injection of smart dialog. Smart fast paced dialog is essential for screwball to succeed. The second problem is in the direction and editing. This was Kristen Coury's first time at bat as a director and it is a valiant and ambitious effort. So the problem of pace is not hers alone but must fall partiality in the laps of her editors, Tom Swartwout and Hector Venegas. A good director and editor can work together to tighten timing and pace where it is needed. That does not happen here. Nowhere is it more evident than in the third act at the banquet. Where the action should be frenetic and zany it grinds on and punctures the comic intent of the scene. It is evident that that the lack of time and money available to the production added to the problems in this scene and we are left with some odd jumps in cutting and loss in some vital connecting information. The whole film is building to this final madcap ending yet we are left sitting on the floor twiddling our fingers while the action stops for all the characters to reflect and yawn. I agree with the screenwriter, maybe it would have been funnier to have Anna Maria Alberghetti save the day.

Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review

› See all 23 customer reviews on Amazon.ca

 

5.0 out of 5 stars A delightful comedy!
Friends and Family is a delightful and clever comedy. The plot, and many subplots actually, are a bit far-fetched, but they provides pure escapism, which we all need sometimes... Read more

Published on Jun 19 2004 by Mark Twain

5.0 out of 5 stars perfect little film, perfectly done
This little film proves that you CAN have a good gay film without sex and without nudity.

The chemistry between the two leads (Steven and Danny) was so good - they felt "right"... Read more

Published on Jun 6 2004 by john

5.0 out of 5 stars A perfect little film, flawlessly done
Friends and family proves conclusively that it is not necessary to feature sex and/or nudity to have a great film about two gay men. Read more

Published on Jun 4 2004

3.0 out of 5 stars Really rather average
I think these filmmakers gave themselves a hard task by making a mafia film while aiming for a minimum of violence. Read more

Published on May 30 2004 by Darshan

3.0 out of 5 stars An interesting idea that fell short of its goal
"Friends and Family" is an interesting premise. A cross between "The Sopranos" and "La Cage Au Folles", the cover boasted. Read more

Published on May 30 2004 by Daryl B

3.0 out of 5 stars Friends and Family, or just plain friends?
I am going to erase two of the stars here and back this one up from five to three. I did enjoy the story line mind you, but the thing I found to be a little agitating was the lack... Read more

Published on May 28 2004 by Gregory

5.0 out of 5 stars Very enjoyable, funny and light
This was a great movie, no heavy theme and no big message. It was a comedy and a very good one at that. This is a must have for your collection.

Published on Mar 4 2004 by T. Hulse

3.0 out of 5 stars An okay comedy about two gay hitmen
Stephen and Danny are the perfect gay couple in New York: both handsome, living in a great house, with well-paying jobs. Read more

Published on Mar 1 2004 by gac1003

3.0 out of 5 stars An ok movie
I really did like this movie. But like most of reviewers I was upset that the guy couple not once showed any affection towards one another. Other than that it was a fun movie!

Published on Feb 20 2004 by Ricky Morgan

1.0 out of 5 stars Keep this movie where it belongs- In the Closet!
I purchased this DVD as it has been selling well and the premise seemed cute enough to work well with the right actors and director. My opinion?... Read more

Published on Feb 15 2004 by CWC

Search Customer Reviews
Only search this product's reviews

› See all 23 customer reviews on Amazon.ca

Search Listmania!