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!
Down to the Bone (2004)
6.7/10
Director: Debra Granik
Starring: Vera Farmiga, Hugh Dillon, Clint Jordan, Caridad De La Luz, Jasper Daniels
Independent filmmaker Debra Granik makes her feature debut with this naturalistic drama, based on her award-winning short film 'Snake Feed'. In Upstat... Read more
Six Feet Under: Season 1 (2001)
8.7/10
Starring: Peter Krause, Michael C Hall, Frances Conroy, Lauren Ambrose, Freddy Rodriguez,...
From Alan Ball, the Oscar-winning writer of "American Beauty", comes a series that digs where others fear to tred. When a bus kills Nathaniel Fisher,... 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
Rain (2001)
7/10
Director: Christine Jeffs
Starring: Alicia Fulford-Wierzbicki, Sarah Peirse, Marton Csokas, Alistair Browning
This impressive feature debut by director Christine Jeffs, adapted from Kirsty Gunn's novella, is set in an idyllic beachside community in the summer... Read more
Custody (Jusqu'à la garde) (2017)
7.6/10
Director: Xavier Legrand
Starring: Lea Drucker, Denis Menochet, Thomas Gioria
Miriam and Antoine Besson have divorced, and Miriam is seeking sole custody of their son Julien to protect him from a father she claims is violent. An... Read more
The Chumscrubber (2005)
7/10
Director: Arie Posin
Starring: Jamie Bell, Camilla Belle, Justin Chatwin, Glenn Close, Rory Culkin, Tim DeKay,...
When disaffected teen, Dean (Jamie Bell), discovers the body of his friend hanging in his bedroom, he doesn't bother telling any adults as he doesn't... Read more
The Ballad of Jack and Rose (2005)
6.7/10
Director: Rebecca Miller
Starring: Daniel Day-Lewis, Camilla Belle, Catherine Keener, Paul Dano, Jason Lee, Jena Ma...
Daniel Day-Lewis is Jack, an ex-political activist who lives with his daughter Rose (Camilla Belle) on what was once a thriving island commune. Jack... Read more
King Lear (McKellen) (2007)
8.3/10
Director: Trevor Nunn
Starring: Frances Barber, Ian McKellen, Jonathan Hyde
The Royal Shakespeare Company's adaptation of the famous tale of jealously and betrayal, filmed in high definition as it was performed live in 2007. K... Read more
Irresistible (2006)
5.8/10
Director: Ann Turner
Starring: Susan Sarandon, Sam Neill, Emily Blunt, Charles Tingwell, William McInnes, Terry...
Sophie (Susan Sarandon), is still struggling with the death of her mother when she becomes convinced that her husband Craig (Sam Neill) and her childr... Read more
Neverwas (2005)
6.7/10
Director: Joshua Michael Stern
Starring: Aaron Eckhart, Ian McKellen, Brittany Murphy, Nick Nolte, William Hurt, Jessica...
Aaron Eckhart is psychiatrist Zach Riley, who gives up his academic career to work in a mental institution. It's the same place his late father once... Read more