The Thing About My Folks (2005)

Ben's dad Sam shows up one night with a note from Ben's mother (Sam's wife of 46 years), that she has left. While Ben's wife and his three sisters try to find her, Ben takes Sam on a day ... See full summary »

Director:

Raymond De Felitta

Writer:

Paul Reiser

Stars:

Peter Falk, Paul Reiser, Olympia Dukakis

4 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Peter Falk	...	Sam Kleinman
Paul Reiser	...	Ben Kleinman
Olympia Dukakis	...	Muriel Kleinman
Elizabeth Perkins	...	Rachel Kleinman
Mackenzie Connolly	...	Lilly Kleinman
Lydia Jordan	...	Mia Kleinman
Ann Dowd	...	Linda
Claire Beckman	...	Hillary
Mimi Lieber	...	Bonnie
Bernie McInerney	...	Mr. Harrison
Catherine Taormina	...	Young Muriel Kleinman
Rachel Robinson	...	Voice of Young Muriel
Rich Duva	...	Young Sam Kleinman
Marshall Efron	...	Tow Truck Driver
Dennis Sheehan	...	Tackle Shop Owner

Storyline

Ben's dad Sam shows up one night with a note from Ben's mother (Sam's wife of 46 years), that she has left. While Ben's wife and his three sisters try to find her, Ben takes Sam on a day trip to see a farmhouse that's for sale. The day trip turns into a road trip while dad and son explore their past, their relationship, and why Sam's wife might have left him. The road trip includes fishing, drinking, playing pool, sleeping under the stars, and frank discussion. Anger simmers close at hand, as do love and hope. Where Sam's wife is - and why she left - leads to the movie's resolution.

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Plot Keywords:

road trip | fishing | tow truck | letter | flatulence | 

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Taglines:

Sometimes the fruit falls very far from the tree.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for language, including some suggestive references

Details

Official Sites:

New Line Cinema [us]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 December 2006 (Kuwait)

Also Known As:

Esto es todo amigos

Filming Locations:

Garwood, New Jersey, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$235,341 (USA) (16 September 2005)

Gross:

$814,682 (USA) (28 October 2005)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Picturehouse Entertainment, Nuance Productions, Outlaw Productions (I)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

When the son and father are driving down the road, the red car behind them disappears then reappears. After a few shots the red car finally passes them.

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Quotes

[Two young girls walk by. Sam keeps staring after them, finally points at them]
Sam Kleinman: Explain that to me.
Ben Kleinman: What?
Sam Kleinman: The holes in those jeans...
Ben Kleinman: Uh-uh.
Sam Kleinman: They're on purpose?
Ben Kleinman: That's right.
Sam Kleinman: It's not because she's poor, and can only afford ripped clothes?
Ben Kleinman: That's correct, sir.
Sam Kleinman: [takes this in] And she doesn't mind that we can see her ass peeking out like that?
[...]

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Connections

Referenced in The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Episode #14.30 (2006)

User Reviews

Insightful Movie

Peter Falk is a diverse and accomplished actor. The movie is well written and the acting seems like real life. For all lovers of Columbo this is a superior piece of work. Because it shows what a talent Peter Falk is. He doesn't play a detective he plays a retired carpet salesman. By the time the credits begin to role you already want to watch it again. The interesting part of the movie is that the message will apply to every person that watches it; the depth of its' pertinence will be the only thing that varies. It is a shame that the liberals in Hollywood only promote smut and skin because this is the type of movie that the people in the business should be proud of. This would be a great movie to turn into a live stage play.