Dysfunctional Families
Perhaps because it's something nearly all of us can relate to (apart from The Bradys), messed-up families have always been a popular subject for filmmakers in all genres. Whether you're playing it for laughs ('Arrested Development', 'Go For Zucker'), drama ('Kramer vs Kramer', 'Nil By Mouth'), or thrills ('The Quiet Family', 'Olivier, Olivier') the family dynamic is a deep well of ready-made love/hate relationships, seething resentments and hidden secrets. What more could a filmmaker, or a film-watcher, ask for!
Addicted To Love (1997)
6.1/10
Director: Griffin Dunne
Starring: Meg Ryan, Matthew Broderick, Kelly Preston, Tcheky Karyo
An edgy romantic comedy about obsession and revenge. Meg Ryan and Matthew Broderick fall for each other while spying on their respective jilters, who... Read more
After the Storm (2016)
7.4/10
Director: Hirokazu Kore-eda
Starring: Hiroshi Abe, Taiyo Yoshizawa, Yoko Maki
Dwelling on his past glory as a prize-winning author, Ryota wastes the money he makes as a private detective on gambling and can barely pay child supp... Read more
All Night Long (1981)
5.9/10
Director: Jean-Claude Tramont
Starring: Barbra Streisand, Dennis Quaid, Diane Ladd, Gene Hackman
Screen legends Gene Hackman and Barbra Streisand star in this offbeat comedy that proves a man can lose everything and still love happily ever after.... Read more
American Beauty (1999)
8.4/10
Director: Sam Mendes
Starring: Kevin Spacey, Annette Bening, Thora Birch, Allison Janney, Peter Gallagher, Mena...
Five Academy Awards including Best Picture, Director and Actor, went to this lacerating, darkly funny look at decay in contemporary suburbia. Kevin Sp... Read more
American Beauty ( Blu-ray ) (1999)
8.4/10
Director: Sam Mendes
Starring: Annette Bening, Chris Cooper, Kevin Spacey, Peter Gallagher, Scott Bakula, Thora...
Five Academy Awards including Best Picture, Director and Actor, went to this lacerating, darkly funny look at decay in contemporary suburbia. Kevin Sp... Read more
And When Did You Last See Your Father? (2007)
Director: Anand Tucker
Starring: Jim Broadbent, Colin Firth, Juliet Stevenson, Gina McKee, Elaine Cassidy, Sarah...
Colin Firth and Jim Broadbent star in this adaptation of poet Blake Morrison's best-selling memoir that explores the complex relationship between fath... Read more
Antwone Fisher (2002)
7.3/10
Director: Denzel Washington
Starring: Derek Luke, Joy Bryant, Denzel Washington
Inspired by the true life experiences of its title character, Denzel Washington's accomplished directorial debut tells the compelling story of a troub... Read more
Apron Strings (2008)
6.6/10
Director: Sima Urale
Starring: Laila Rouass, Scott Wills, Jennifer Ludlam, Nathan Whitaker, Leela Patel, Peter...
Samoan-born Aucklander Sima Urale makes her feature debut with this light-hearted, multi-cultural family drama exploring the fine line between motheri... Read more
Arrested Development: Season 1 (2003)
8.9/10
Director: Greg Mottola, Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
Starring: Jeffrey Tambor, Jessica Walter, Liza Minnelli, Ron Howard, Alia Shawkat, Will Ar...
In this critically acclaimed hit sitcom, you'll meet the suddenly penniless, and equally clueless, Bluth family. Accustomed to their wildly affluent l... Read more
Arrested Development: Season 2 (2004)
7.7/10
Director: Patty Jenkins, Lee Shallat Chemel, Jeff Melman, Peter Lauer, Jason Bateman
Starring: Will Arnett, Jason Bateman, Michael Cera, David Cross, Portia De Rossi, Tony Hal...
The bitingly brilliant, Emmy Award-winning second season continues to follow the downward-spiralling fortunes of the deluded Bluth family. Michael (J... Read more