The Hamiltons (2006)

Four young adult siblings, who harbor some dark secrets, try to fend for themselves after the mysterious death of their parents.

Directors:

Mitchell Altieri (as The Butcher Brothers), Phil Flores (as The Butcher Brothers)

Writers:

Mitchell Altieri (as The Butcher Brothers), Phil Flores (as The Butcher Brothers)

Stars:

Cory Knauf, Samuel Child, Joseph McKelheer

2 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Cory Knauf	...	Francis Hamilton
Samuel Child	...	David Hamilton
Joseph McKelheer	...	Wendell Hamilton
Mackenzie Firgens	...	Darlene Hamilton
Rebekah Hoyle	...	Samantha Teal
Brittany Daniel	...	Dani Cummings
Al Liner	...	Paul Glenn
Jena Hunt	...	Kitty Davies (as Jenna Hunt)
Tara Glass	...	Jenna Smith
Larry Laverty	...	Larry Davies
Joe Egender	...	Allen Davies
Nicholas Fanella	...	Lenny Hamilton
Jackie Honea	...	Mrs. Hamilton
John Krause	...	Mr. Hamilton
Nathan Parker	...	Hot Pants

Storyline

Trying to move on with their lives, and keep their family together after the untimely demise of their parents, the four Hamilton siblings are left all alone to fend for themselves. At first glance, the Hamiltons seem like an ordinary family, and they will do everything in their power to adjust to their new neighbourhood; however, troubled Francis' video camera reveals that there is more to the grieving newcomers than meets the eye. After all, is it normal to keep people captive in your basement?

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Plot Keywords:

video camera | brother sister incest | social worker | goth girl | misfit | 

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Taglines:

Every Family Has Its Secrets

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Genres:

Drama | Horror | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong violence, language and some sexual content

Did You Know?

Goofs

At 54:00 Kitty drops a glass of water onto the kitchen floor, but in the next shot the water has totally gone.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Francis Hamilton: What does it mean to be happy? To be content in the world around you? Mom used to say it was family. That family was the heart of everything, even existence. Without it, there's nothing. She would always have these simple answers that somehow would sound so brilliant. And then she died. My father died along with her. Shortly after that, my brother David had to sell the farm where we grew up. Now we're just trying to be an ordinary family. Trying to figure out where we fit in the ...

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Crazy Credits

Just after the ending credits roll, more home video is shown of what looks like a normal family having bought a new home, and then it fades to red.

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Connections

Followed by The Thompsons (2012)

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Soundtracks

Kiss The Light
Written by Nathan Montiel
Performed by Nathan Montiel
Courtesy of Metaphisik Records

User Reviews

Interesting, but deeply flawed.

"The Hamiltons" has a great premise, and the ending of the film is inches from being extremely satisfying. On its own, an excellent ending...it's getting there that's the problem with the film.

The fundamental flaw of "The Hamiltons" is that it's caught between being a serial killer film and a family drama, and unlike "Suburban Nightmare" - which was similar, also an indie, and much better in my opinion - "The Hamiltons" refuses to commit to its characters. It wants you to empathize with them at the same time it paints them as violent sociopaths. In doing this I found the ending disingenuous, and most of the movie was simply too scattered.

There ARE strong points to the film. The main character, Francis, is easily the most well-developed character. Although he gets too whiny and, frankly, useless at times, he's able to make the transition into action with aplomb. His relationship with one of the women being held in the cellar of the house is particularly well-written and potent.

The problem is that the movie feels forced to bend to genre conventions, and in doing so it makes the other three members of the family unsympathetic in the extreme. The characters of Wendell and Darlene are written well as sociopaths, but the problem comes when the film wants you to identify with them and accept them as part of this family, and you can't imagine why anyone would love them even if they WERE family.

The film is worth watching, but the script really could've used another run through editing to work out the kinks.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 April 2006 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Hamiltons

Filming Locations:

Petaluma, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$2,482,000, 19 November 2006

Gross USA:

$321,875

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$321,875

Company Credits

Production Co:

San Francisco Independent Cinema, Industrial City Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

86 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1