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!
Welcome to the Dollhouse (1996)
7.4/10
Director: Todd Solondz
Starring: Brendan Sexton Jr, Heather Matarazzo, Matthew Faber, Eric Mabius
This Sundance winner follows the travails of Dawn Weiner (Heather Matarazzo), the teen pariah who seems to invite the cruelties heaped upon her by cla... Read more
Before and After (1996)
6.1/10
Director: Barbet Schroeder
Starring: Alfred Molina, Edward Furlong, Liam Neeson, Meryl Streep
When their teenage son is accused of killing his girlfriend, disbelieving parents Meryl Streep and Liam Neeson fight to save him. But when they tamper... Read more
Secrets and Lies (1996)
7.7/10
Director: Mike Leigh
Starring: Brenda Blethyn, Phyllis Logan, Timothy Spall, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Claire Rus...
A 27 year old black London Optometrist decides to seek out the woman who gave her up for adoption after she was born. The search leads to a surprising... Read more
The Daytrippers (1995)
6.9/10
Director: Greg Mottola
Starring: Hope Davis, Parker Posey, Stanley Tucci, Liev Schreiber, Campbell Scott, Pat McN...
Happily married Eliza (Hope Davis) discovers a letter written to her husband Louis (Stanley Tucci), signed 'Forever Sandy'. Her curiosity pricked by t... Read more
The Wife (1995)
6.3/10
Director: Tom Noonan
Starring: Julie Hagerty, Tom Noonan, Wallace Shawn, Karen Young
Actor/writer/director Tom Noonan and Julie Hagerty star as Jack and Rita, a couple trapped in a fragile marriage who share their lives and professions... Read more
Forrest Gump (Blu-Ray) (1994)
8.8/10
Director: Robert Zemeckis
Starring: Gary Sinise, Haley Joel Osment, Peter Dobson, Robin Wright, Sally Field, Tom Han...
Slow-witted Forrest Gump (Tom Hanks) has never thought of himself as disadvantaged, and thanks to his supportive mother (Sally Field), he leads anythi... Read more
Once Were Warriors ( Blu-ray ) (1994)
7.9/10
Director: Lee Tamahori
Starring: Mamaengaroa Kerr-Bell, Rena Owen, Temuera Morrison, Cliff Curtis, Julian Arahang...
Director Lee Tamahori's stunning debut film focuses on a violent love story set against a contemporary urban backdrop. This insightful, gutsy drama fe... Read more
Dottie Gets Spanked (1994)
7.3/10
Director: Todd Haynes
Starring: Evan Bonifant, Robert Pall, Julie Halston, Barbara Garrick
Writer/director Todd Haynes made this stylish, tender-hearted short between his critically acclaimed features 'Poison' and 'Safe', and the deeply pers... Read more
Pat and Margaret (1994)
Director: Gavin Millar
Starring: Victoria Wood, Julie Walters, Celia Imrie, Duncan Preston, Thora Hird
Written by, and starring British comic Victoria Wood, with her and Julie Walters as sisters who have lived very different lives and become estranged.... Read more
Greedy (1994)
6.3/10
Director: Jonathan Lynn
Starring: Michael J Fox, Kirk Douglas, Nancy Travis, Olivia D'abo, Phil Hartman, Ed Begley...
Kirk Douglas plays old Uncle Joe a millionaire close to death's door and with a sudden influx of close relatives. The family are worried the new biki... Read more