The Thing About My Folks (2005)

User Rating:

6.6/10   

Director:

Raymond De Felitta

Writer (WGA):

Paul Reiser (written by)

Release Date:

20 December 2006 (Kuwait)

Genre:

Comedy

Tagline:

Sometimes the fruit falls very far from the tree.

Plot:

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...

Awards:

4 wins

Cast

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

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for language, including some suggestive references.

Runtime:

USA:96 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Australia:M | Canada:PG (Ontario) | Finland:K-11 | USA:PG-13

Filming Locations:

Garwood, New Jersey, USA

Company:

Nuance Productions

Goofs:

Continuity: 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.

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?
[...]

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: (2006-02-14)" (2006)

impressive storytelling

Mr. Paul Reiser has written a brilliant script. the photography adds at least a dozen memorable pictures that, I'm happy to say, are in frame a little bit longer than just one second, so we can really process them. The storyline is very simple: after Sam Kleinman (Peter Falk) shows his son Ben Kleinman (Paul Reiser) a letter from his wife telling him she has left him to break loose of her life, they end up spending time together driving through the country; they talk about their relationship, being a father, son and husband. Only a great storyteller could turn this into a story that is interesting and engaging in every scene. And that's just what happens. Even the set up of the story is full of recognizable details that will get you in the mood of family life with all it's little great and annoying moments. Their small scale adventure (with nice unexpected developments) in the outer world helps them to explore the vast inner world of their own hopes, regrets, dreams, sorrows and ambitions. Both of them deliver a very vivid, believable and at many times brilliant performance. As the two men get to see new sides of each other we learn also about their past and their wife/mother and her view on life. Watching the movie you can't help but compare the situations, emotions and points of view with those in your own life. The gentle pace leaves you space to ponder about your relationship with your own partner, with your parents and children. You will smile, laugh out loud, be moved, and cry a little bit at some points. it'll leave you deeply connected with life and its treasures and flaws. and might even inspire you to re-evaluate some of your relationships in order to turn them into a better version while you still have the opportunity.