The security that three brothers had with their family and their father's business is shattered without warning when the business is sold. Each brother deals in his own way: one growing up quickly, one capping his anger until he explodes, and the youngest, who is seemingly unaffected, actually being the glue that holds everything together. It's a great idea that with another 30 minutes could have been developed into a wonderful film; unfortunately, in about 90 minutes all that was done was done shallowly. Except for the acting: all the actors, particularly those playing the brothers, were great, and tried very hard to make the film three-dimensional. An OK "feel-good" movie, worth seeing.
17 Reviews
A Coming of Age Movie
caspian19787 July 2002
A wonderful look into the lives of three brothers that are making that giant step into becoming people. Growing up in a small town U.S.A., the McDermott brothers find themselves and their family changed with the selling of the family business and the death of their father. One searches from a place in society with success, as the other searches for love and achievement. Sean Astin leads this wonderful cast of original and very true characters as the more troubled and comical of the three brothers. The overall moral of this story is hope. My final comment, its a nice film for the right audience.
A Coming of Age Film
caspian19785 July 2002
I had the unknown honor of talking with Troma's Llyod Kaufman a few years back when he visited Providence for their film festival. Talking about movies, Llyod made the comment that "a girl always gets naked in a Coming of Age film." In this case, Llyod was correct. Along with the story lines of redemption, meaning, and brotherhood, Daphne Zuniga appears naked as well. A wonder look into the lives of three brothers and their transformation into adulthood in the center of small town, USA. Great character development and a wonderful story. All in all, a good movie
Small Town Family Drama
harry-7629 June 2003
This slightly below average film explores a typical small town South Carolina family through some trials and tribulations.
While it breaks no new dramatic ground, "Staying Together" takes a look at the coming of age of late teen brothers in an average American semi-rural setting.
The talented Stockard Channing heads a handsome cast, all hard working to make the most of an earnest if uneven script.
While the film isn't for everyone, those who can appreciate a story of an average smalltown American family may find these characters and situations of interest. Lee Grant is the director.
While it breaks no new dramatic ground, "Staying Together" takes a look at the coming of age of late teen brothers in an average American semi-rural setting.
The talented Stockard Channing heads a handsome cast, all hard working to make the most of an earnest if uneven script.
While the film isn't for everyone, those who can appreciate a story of an average smalltown American family may find these characters and situations of interest. Lee Grant is the director.
Staying True
dallasryan14 June 2018
Staying Together is cliched at times but ultimately it's an honest script with honest relationships and pretty good acting all around by the three leads.
A film that always kind of touches the heart a little and makes you smile, definitely worth the watch for the endearment.
Also Daphne Zuniga is worth watching on this one too.
A film that always kind of touches the heart a little and makes you smile, definitely worth the watch for the endearment.
Also Daphne Zuniga is worth watching on this one too.
Touching Family Drama
adamshl2 July 2015
Writer Monte Merrick had his work cut out for him here: crafting an intimate, average American family drama that takes place in a small town. Opportunities for high drama seem limited from the start. Unless one creates a "Peyton Place" or "King's Row" type situation full of scandal, there's really not much excitement going on in these environments.
Merrick wisely chose a "coming of age" situation with the boys, matched with parental business ambition, and worked up an engaging script. Director Lee Grant likewise fell right into the small town environment and keenly expressed the hopes, dreams and ambitions of its key residents.
The result is an often touching enactment with interesting characters and situations. True, it often rings familiar with TV sitcoms, but then there's just so much one can make of these basic ingredients.
The cast is uniformly strong, with Sean Astin, Dermot Mulroney, and Tim Quill as the boys and Stockard Channing as an ambitious local politician.
I saw this film when it first came out and I must say it made a positive impression, so memorable that I've returned to it via DVD over the years. There are not many small town, average family dramas out there, and "Staying Together" is a touching piece of work in this limited genre.
Merrick wisely chose a "coming of age" situation with the boys, matched with parental business ambition, and worked up an engaging script. Director Lee Grant likewise fell right into the small town environment and keenly expressed the hopes, dreams and ambitions of its key residents.
The result is an often touching enactment with interesting characters and situations. True, it often rings familiar with TV sitcoms, but then there's just so much one can make of these basic ingredients.
The cast is uniformly strong, with Sean Astin, Dermot Mulroney, and Tim Quill as the boys and Stockard Channing as an ambitious local politician.
I saw this film when it first came out and I must say it made a positive impression, so memorable that I've returned to it via DVD over the years. There are not many small town, average family dramas out there, and "Staying Together" is a touching piece of work in this limited genre.
This wouldn't pass Screenplay 101
nconnors_200020 March 2002
A very carelessly written film. Poor character and idea development. The silly plot and weak acting by just about the ensemble cast didn't help. Seriously, watching this movie will NOT make you smile. It may make you retch.
Stuck together, ripped apart
StevePulaski6 April 2012
Staying Together is a heartwarming and earnest dramedy, sometimes packing clichés, and other times, resembling Stand By Me, focusing on three teenage boys who are left without a plan for their future when their father decides that he is going to sell his restaurant since he "doesn't want to die selling chickens." When his boys find out, they are outraged that they were left out of the decision-making process, and feel they were betrayed by their own provider. One of them even walks out to live by his own rules.
The boys are hot-headed Brian (Quill), simple and love-struck Kit (Mulroney), and prankster Duncan (Astin), and their father is Jake (Haynie). After the decision to sell the restaurant is final, the boys struggle to find a specific path to take. They planned to work at the restaurant for years to come, and possibly, forever. Now, with those plans shattered, they must go their separate ways, making life decisions for themselves that were previously made by mom and dad.
I'm aware at how cliché this story sounds, but I mentioned in my review of Nicolas Cage's It Could Happen to You, I don't always immediately ride on a film for being cliché. If a film has a cliché premise, but it also occupies good intentions, sophisticated pacing, likable characters, and a charming attitude and direction than it will most likely merit a positive score. There is nothing wrong with predictability, as long as the film is passable in other areas. Staying Together is, and it is motivated by worthy, capable performances by actors who are very underrated.
Sean Astin's start was in goofy comedies and adventure flicks such as Encino Man and The Goonies before eventually playing Samwise in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, while Dermont Mulroney has acted in over seventy films, yet is still patiently waiting for his breakout role. These are all great actors and they finally have their time to shine.
Lee Grant's film is a likable one, but for the sake of randomness and the fact that I have ran out of things to say about the film since there is no need for hardcore, deep analysis, I noticed one glaring continuity error. Quite possibly the biggest I've seen in a while. During the scene where the parents come home to find their kitchen in smithereens, there is a shot of the parents in the doorway of the kitchen which is interrupted by a shot of two boys in the kitchen. When it cuts back to the parents, the dad is now missing and the lighting has drastically become darker. When it cuts back to the kids it is bright and vibrant outside, showing grand effect on the lighting in the room itself. What happened? Did they forget to film something and had to come back later? It doesn't bog down the film one bit, but sometimes when a film gives you something unexpected, and when you just don't have much else to say, it comes in handy. Staying Together is a healthy exercise in the coming of age formula, and a worthy mention for forgotten eighties dramas that are sadly never spoken about in present day.
Starring: Tim Quill, Dermont Mulroney, Sean Astin, Stockard Channing, Jim Haynie, and Melinda Dillon. Directed by: Lee Grant.
The boys are hot-headed Brian (Quill), simple and love-struck Kit (Mulroney), and prankster Duncan (Astin), and their father is Jake (Haynie). After the decision to sell the restaurant is final, the boys struggle to find a specific path to take. They planned to work at the restaurant for years to come, and possibly, forever. Now, with those plans shattered, they must go their separate ways, making life decisions for themselves that were previously made by mom and dad.
I'm aware at how cliché this story sounds, but I mentioned in my review of Nicolas Cage's It Could Happen to You, I don't always immediately ride on a film for being cliché. If a film has a cliché premise, but it also occupies good intentions, sophisticated pacing, likable characters, and a charming attitude and direction than it will most likely merit a positive score. There is nothing wrong with predictability, as long as the film is passable in other areas. Staying Together is, and it is motivated by worthy, capable performances by actors who are very underrated.
Sean Astin's start was in goofy comedies and adventure flicks such as Encino Man and The Goonies before eventually playing Samwise in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, while Dermont Mulroney has acted in over seventy films, yet is still patiently waiting for his breakout role. These are all great actors and they finally have their time to shine.
Lee Grant's film is a likable one, but for the sake of randomness and the fact that I have ran out of things to say about the film since there is no need for hardcore, deep analysis, I noticed one glaring continuity error. Quite possibly the biggest I've seen in a while. During the scene where the parents come home to find their kitchen in smithereens, there is a shot of the parents in the doorway of the kitchen which is interrupted by a shot of two boys in the kitchen. When it cuts back to the parents, the dad is now missing and the lighting has drastically become darker. When it cuts back to the kids it is bright and vibrant outside, showing grand effect on the lighting in the room itself. What happened? Did they forget to film something and had to come back later? It doesn't bog down the film one bit, but sometimes when a film gives you something unexpected, and when you just don't have much else to say, it comes in handy. Staying Together is a healthy exercise in the coming of age formula, and a worthy mention for forgotten eighties dramas that are sadly never spoken about in present day.
Starring: Tim Quill, Dermont Mulroney, Sean Astin, Stockard Channing, Jim Haynie, and Melinda Dillon. Directed by: Lee Grant.
I would rather be slowly tortured to death than see this piece of garbage again!!!
Mike-2999 April 2002
God, did I hate this movie! I saw it at a sneak preview 13 years ago, and I STILL have bad flashbacks. It was, without a doubt, the WORST movie I ever paid to see. It was badly written, badly directed, and (surprisingly considering the cast) badly acted. I would rather be thrown off a rooftop onto razor sharp spikes, and then have my skin peeled off, than to sit through it again. Can you guess I didn't enjoy it?
a little sad, but altogether touching.
jades95 January 2002
It's the story of three brothers pulling together in the midst of hardship and loss, and learning that the really important things in life are family, love, trust, and forgiveness. The entire cast manages to pull in a powerful performance despite a few lousy one-liners. A great film for fans of true to life problems befalling believable families. Also worth a look for fans of Dermot Mulroney or Sean Astin. They both do an astounding job, often bringing you to tears. Take my word for it and rent this today!
Well-acted by annoyingly predictable
preppy-327 December 2011
I saw this when it originally played in theatres back in 1989. I remember being VERY underwhelmed by it. I walked out thinking "oh--I've just seen another movie".
It's the story of three brothers growing up and having to deal with various crises. The problem is that ALL the plot lines have been done before...and better. I always knew how the stories were going to end and, to make it worse, the film drags everything out. Everything is done so quietly and in a matter of fact manner. Even when people were yelling or telling each other off it came across as strangely muted. The only thing that saves the film is that all the acting is good. Sean Astin and Dermot Mulroney especially stood out (and have gone on to successful careers). It's not a terrible film just a very predictable one with nothing new to say or add.
It's the story of three brothers growing up and having to deal with various crises. The problem is that ALL the plot lines have been done before...and better. I always knew how the stories were going to end and, to make it worse, the film drags everything out. Everything is done so quietly and in a matter of fact manner. Even when people were yelling or telling each other off it came across as strangely muted. The only thing that saves the film is that all the acting is good. Sean Astin and Dermot Mulroney especially stood out (and have gone on to successful careers). It's not a terrible film just a very predictable one with nothing new to say or add.
This chicken jokes ultimately lays an egg after a delightful first course.
mark.waltz1 September 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Great character development aides in establishing members of the McDermott family who undergo a crisis when pops Jim Haynie decides to sell the family business (a popular chicken restaurant) without consulting the three sons (Timothy Quill, Dylan McDermott and Sean Astin) who hoped one day, they'd take over. Haynie reveals that he has come to hate chickens, and that isn't enough to pacify them, sending McDermott out to find another dream job and breaks up the family.
It's after the announcement that dad makes that the film pretty much stops cold and has a bunch of diversions that makes it pretty boring. Melinda Dillon is good as the housewife and mother who used to sing locally, and Stockard Channing is good in the supporting role of McDermott's older girlfriend who is running for public office. Some viewers may be put off by the scene where the boys open up the restaurant and are tossing chickens around like footballs, but I found it funny. Maybe the air tenderized the birds, so who knows. Everybody in the film does a good job acting wise, but it's one of those films that seemingly ran out of steam during the screenplay writing process, and became more slice of life than plot driven. It's one of those TV movie like films that somehow got a theater release that you can watch ones, enjoy the people on screen but basically forget about it right afterwards.
It's after the announcement that dad makes that the film pretty much stops cold and has a bunch of diversions that makes it pretty boring. Melinda Dillon is good as the housewife and mother who used to sing locally, and Stockard Channing is good in the supporting role of McDermott's older girlfriend who is running for public office. Some viewers may be put off by the scene where the boys open up the restaurant and are tossing chickens around like footballs, but I found it funny. Maybe the air tenderized the birds, so who knows. Everybody in the film does a good job acting wise, but it's one of those films that seemingly ran out of steam during the screenplay writing process, and became more slice of life than plot driven. It's one of those TV movie like films that somehow got a theater release that you can watch ones, enjoy the people on screen but basically forget about it right afterwards.
Beautiful Little Movie
wdemurjian22 February 2001
Not for everyone, but I really like it. Nice ensemble cast, with nice contributions from better known players (like Stockard Channing) and strong eye candy (from Sheila Kelley). What really works is the bond between the three brothers! Try it, you'll smile a little.
Decent Choice For Those Who Like Bad Movies
meaninglessbark13 August 2013
Warning: Spoilers
If you like bad films Staying Together is a decent choice. It's not wonderfully bad, but it's thoroughly bad. There is some OK to good acting, but fortunately the good acting is eclipsed by a predictable story, cheesy music, cliché characters, awful attempts at humor, and Sean Astin as a horny wise cracking bouncy teen with great 80s hair.
Staying Together was rated R but that had to be for the use of the "f word" and one tasteful love scene (where we see the backside of a female actress). If those minor elements were gone Staying Together would be like an 80s made-for-TV movie (although not as enjoyably bad) or a pilot for a prime time soap opera.
Staying Together was rated R but that had to be for the use of the "f word" and one tasteful love scene (where we see the backside of a female actress). If those minor elements were gone Staying Together would be like an 80s made-for-TV movie (although not as enjoyably bad) or a pilot for a prime time soap opera.
Brotherly Love in a coming of age film
GOWBTW6 January 2015
Brotherly Love doesn't come out the way it would. It's where you live in a small town where small town values is boss. You have three brothers: Brian (Tim Quill) the total hothead, Kit (Dermot Mulroney) the horn-dog one, and Duncan(Sean Astin) the prankster. Despite the success of working at a chicken restaurant, the father,Jake (Jim Haynie) decided to close it for good. This decision drives the wedge into the family. When the other brothers find new jobs, each one of them find themselves in the world. Duncan gets frisky with the waitress he worked with. Brian gets himself involved with the upcoming mayor (Stockard Channing) before setting his sights of the single mother. Kit gets himself involved with Beverly(Daphne Zuniga), the engaged friend. brothers are brought closer to each other following the father's passing. Brian had to put his anger beside him later. And each brother had to find a way to do something about life. All too common, somewhat predictable, life it what you make of it. Could have used more to it. But the cast of the movie is great. A lot of language was used, should have more romance themes to make it a hit. Watchable to say the least. 2.5 out of 5 stars.
Memorable
kerrikp21 February 2003
I have to admit, given I saw it close to when it was made, I cannot remember the whole film. I have flashes of Melinda Dillon's performance in my head and I absolutely refuse to say anything even remotely negative about Stockard Channing. What also sticks in my head, to this day, is a scene between the three brothers...all of them walking down the main road of the town at some ungodly hour after a good round of drinking and Sean Astin is trying to convince the other two that F*** you is actually a compliment. He has his reasons. It's worth watching. But that's my opinion.
P.S. To the previous poster...the WORST movie ever? Well I only lasted about 20 minutes into Howard the Duck, but I certainly think it has the flop odor to top almost anything else.
P.S. To the previous poster...the WORST movie ever? Well I only lasted about 20 minutes into Howard the Duck, but I certainly think it has the flop odor to top almost anything else.
The way a family-owned business changed
jprice-426 December 2000
Three brothers from a small town somewhere in South Carolina learn that their father sold the chicken business, because he hated eggs. Then their older brother moves out and he needed the job. Their middle brother got a job at a clothing store.
The McDermott family spilts apart after their father sold the businness, and then reunite together after their father's death.
A little bit good, and A little bit poor.
***1/2.
The McDermott family spilts apart after their father sold the businness, and then reunite together after their father's death.
A little bit good, and A little bit poor.
***1/2.
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