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!
Happy Tears (2009)
5.2/10
Director: Mitchell Lichtenstein
Starring: Demi Moore, Ellen Barkin, Parker Posey, Rip Torn
Jayne (Parker Posey) and Laura (Demi Moore) are about to take on the first man they just might not be able to handle: their ailing father, Joe (Rip To... Read more
The Way Way Back (Blu-ray) (2013)
7.4/10
Director: Nat Faxon, Jim Rash
Starring: Sam Rockwell, Toni Collette, Amanda Peet, Allison Janney, Steve Carell, AnnaSoph...
During a vacation in a Northeast beach town, a lonely teenage boy, Duncan (Liam James), comes into his own over the course of a summer through an unli... Read more
Rachel Getting Married (Blu-ray) (2008)
6.7/10
Director: Jonathan Demme
Starring: Anne Hathaway, Rosemarie DeWitt, Bill Irwin, Tunde Adebimpe, Debra Winger, Mathe...
Alternately heartbreaking and acidic dysfunctional family drama stars Anne Hathaway as Kym, a recovering drug addict who has checked out of rehab and... Read more
Sorry!: Series 2 (1982)
7.4/10
Director: David Askey
Starring: Ronnie Corbett, Barbara Lott, William Moore
Ronnie Corbett (The Two Ronnies) plays Timothy Lumsden, a part specially written for him, and has turned him into one of the best-loved comic figures... Read more
Married With Children: Season 3 (1988)
7.6/10
Starring: Amanda Bearse, Christina Applegate, Ed O'Neill, Katey Sagal, David Faustino, Dav...
Ed O'Neill, Katey Sagal. The third season presented an even more twisted look at the Bundy gang, TV's dysfunctional family of malcontents. Al, Peg and... Read more
Don't Worry, I'm Fine (2006)
7.4/10
Director: Philippe Lioret
Starring: Isabelle Renauld, Kad Merad, Melanie Laurent, Julien Boisselier
On her return from vacation 19-year-old Lili is told by her parents that her twin brother Loic has left home after a violent argument with her father.... Read more
Sorry!: Series 3 (1982)
7.4/10
Director: David Askey
Starring: Ronnie Corbett, Barbara Lott, William Moore
Series Three finds Timothy embarking on a treasure hunt for a golden rabbit; planning to go to the Gobi Desert with his girlfriend; starring in the am... Read more
Infinitely Polar Bear (Blu-ray) (2014)
7/10
Director: Maya Forbes
Starring: Mark Ruffalo, Zoe Saldana
A manic-depressive mess of a father tries to win back his wife by attempting to take full responsibility of their two young, spirited daughters, who d... Read more
Breaking and Entering (Blu-ray) (2006)
6.5/10
Director: Anthony Minghella
Starring: Jude Law, Juliette Binoche, Ray Winstone, Robin Wright, Martin Freeman, Vera Far...
Written and directed by Anthony Minghella, this suspenseful drama stars Jude Law as a successful landscape architect whose office has been broken into... Read more
Married With Children: Season 2 (1987)
8/10
Starring: Amanda Bearse, Christina Applegate, Ed O'Neill, Katey Sagal, David Faustino, Dav...
Ed O'Neill, Katey Sagal. Although the first season made quite a splash, the second season showed an improvement in storytelling and an emphasis in set... Read more