It Runs in the Family (2003)

This is the story of a dysfunctional New York family, and their attempts to reconcile.

Director:

Fred Schepisi

Writer:

Jesse Wigutow

Stars:

Kirk Douglas, Michael Douglas, Bernadette Peters

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Michael Douglas	...	Alex Gromberg
Kirk Douglas	...	Mitchell Gromberg
Rory Culkin	...	Eli Gromberg
Cameron Douglas	...	Asher Gromberg
Diana Douglas	...	Evelyn Gromberg
Michelle Monaghan	...	Peg Maloney
Geoffrey Arend	...	Malik
Sarita Choudhury	...	Suzie
Irina Gorovaia	...	Abby Staley (as Irene Gorovaia)
Annie Golden	...	Deb
Mark Hammer	...	Stephen Gromberg
Audra McDonald	...	Sarah Langley
Josh Pais	...	Barney
Bernadette Peters	...	Rebecca Gromberg
Louie Torrellas	...	Jeremy

Storyline

Wealth can't spare three male generations of the dysfunctional Jewish New York Gromberg family grief or grim reality. However successful in life, Alex never felt pleasing pride or proper parental support from sprightly patriarch Mitchell, who sarcastically imposes his own values and priorities on everyone and everything. Alex starts despairing that his modern permissiveness may ruin his own bright firstborn, college-boy Asher, unlike adoring kid-brother Eli. A dorm-drug-bust pushes things to the limit -- or beyond?

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Plot Keywords:

jewish slur | jew | watching tv | college | play | 

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Taglines:

Some families can survive anything. Even each other.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for drug content, sexual material and language

Details

Official Sites:

MGM

Country:

USA

Language:

English Hebrew Spanish

Release Date:

25 April 2003 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Few Good Years

Filming Locations:

Kinnelon, New Jersey, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$2,804,441, 27 April 2003, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$7,375,836, 26 May 2003

Company Credits

Production Co:

Buena Vista International,Family Films,Furthur Films

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Rory Culkin's brother Kieran Culkin starred in It Runs in the Family (1994), which completely unrelated to this film of the same title.

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Quotes

Mitchell Gromberg: Alex, you're a much better father than I was.
Alex Gromberg: Thank you. But you didn't exactly set the bar all that high.

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Connections

References Pokémon (1997)

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Soundtracks

You'll Never Know
Written by Mack Gordon, Harry Warren
Performed by Diana Krall
Produced by Tommy LiPuma
Diana Krall appears courtesy of The Verve Music Group

User Reviews

Cameron Douglas - Welcome to Hollywood!!!

I was not particularly anxious to see this film but it was a rainy Saturday (the day after it opened in my area) so I dragged my movie-hating husband to see It Runs In The Family not really knowing what to expect.

I had seen Michael Douglas on several tv talk shows and each time he mentioned his nervousness over his son's acting--well he didn't need to worry - Cameron carried the movie!!! He's cute as a button and has charm oozing out of his pores.

I must admit the movie was at times depressing (the treatment of the elderly uncle). I also had a difficult time viewing Kirk Douglas on the screen. The first Mrs, Kirk Douglas (Michael's real-life mother Diana) was a delight. The Culkin boy was wonderful also.

Michael Douglas was his usual terrific self. In recent pictures, he appeared to be ageing, but in this movie he looked quite youthful. He was supposed to be in his late 40's and definitely pulled it off.

I would not highly recommend this film--I was never bored but I was a little depressed.