Everybody's Fine (2009)

A widower who realized his only connection to his family was through his wife sets off on an impromptu road trip to reunite with each of his grown children.

Director:

Kirk Jones

Writers:

Kirk Jones, Giuseppe Tornatore (original screenplay)

Stars:

Robert De Niro, Kate Beckinsale, Sam Rockwell

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 1 win & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Robert De Niro	...	Frank Goode
Drew Barrymore	...	Rosie
Kate Beckinsale	...	Amy
Sam Rockwell	...	Robert
Lucian Maisel	...	Jack
Damian Young	...	Jeff
James Frain	...	Tom
Melissa Leo	...	Colleen
Katherine Moennig	...	Jilly
Brendan Sexton III	...	Mugger
James Murtaugh	...	Dr. Ed
Austin Lysy	...	David
Chandler Frantz	...	Young David
Lily Mo Sheen	...	Young Amy (as Lily Sheen)
Seamus Davey-Fitzpatrick	...	Young Robert

Storyline

Frank Goode lives by himself in Elmira, NY, a recent widower with heart trouble, retired from a factory job, proud of having pushed his adult children toward success. In the summer, all four kids bail on a reunion, so, against doctor's orders, Frank decides to surprise each with a visit. He sets out to see his artist son in New York City, his daughter the ad exec in Chicago, his son the conductor on tour and presently in Denver, and his daughter who's a performer in Vegas. None are as he imagines or hopes. Will they let him see themselves as they are, and can this dad adapt?

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Plot Keywords:

parental love | retirement | train ride | bus trip | surprise visit | 

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Taglines:

Frank's travelling light but carrying excess baggage (UK Quad)

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for thematic elements and brief strong language

Did You Know?

Trivia

Sir Paul McCartney wrote the ballad "(I Want To) Come Home" after seeing an advance screening. It was later nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Song.

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Goofs

The shots of Union Station in Chicago where he gets on the train are of a train station in Connecticut. The Union Station in Chicago does not have mezzanine sitting for coffee.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Butcher: You Keeping busy?
Frank Goode: Yeah, I've been busy.
Butcher: Busy doin' what?
Frank Goode: Busy in the garden.
Butcher: [wryly] In the garden, you know what, you're missing work, that's what, I can see that.
Frank Goode: No I'm not missing work.
Butcher: Yeah, you miss the buzz and the jokes and the guys, I know that, don't tell me that's not true.

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Crazy Credits

The photographs Frank took during his journey are shown alongside the end credits.

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Connections

Featured in The Rotten Tomatoes Show: The Road/Ninja Assassin/Old Dogs (2009)

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Soundtracks

Papa Loves Mambo
Written by Al Hoffman, Dick Manning, Bickley Reichner (as Bickley "Bix" Reichner)
Performed by Perry Como
Courtesy of The RCA Records Label and The RCA/Jive Label Group, a Unit of Sony Music Entertainment by arrangement with Sony Music Licensing

User Reviews

Robert DeNiro's Acting is More than Fine...

Based on Guiseppe Tornatore's 1990 Italian film, Stanno tutti bene, writer/director Kirk Jones has brought some of the best work out of Robert DeNiro in decades. Everybody's Fine is a fascinating tale about Frank (DeNiro), a widower who wants to get his four adult children together for dinner, but when one by one they all cancel for good reasons or lack of a better word excuses, he decides against the advice of his doctor, to make a surprise trip to all their residences in New York, Chicago, Denver, and Las Vegas. What the trip brings him however, is a heavy realization that despite what his late-wife told him, maybe everybody's not fine.

Treading heavy territory to resemble films like About Schmidt, Everybody's Fine is a heartfelt, emotional film that will leave you in tears. Though the narrative could come off a bit over-dramatic at times, there's no denying the warmth that the film conveys to family and loyalty. DeNiro is most effective in his role of Frank Goode, the hard-working father whose long hours putting up coating on telephone wire may have cost him more than he thought. Director, Kirk Jones makes some great artistic choices, especially in the final scenes of the film. One thing however that is surprising is how the film is being marketed. Portraying itself as a holiday-comedy is going to be quite unexpected to viewers as the film is weighty with emotion and less on the laughs.

The supporting players, in this case the adult children, are all beautifully cast. Drew Barrymore has never been sweeter in the role of Rosie, a dancer in Vegas with a "Daddy's Girl" mentality. Kate Beckinsale is stunning in looks and adequate in delivery as Amy, a top advertisement executive. Sam Rockwell, who is long overdue for Oscar attention, plays Robert, the musician who painfully seeks his father's approval.

Enough can't be said about DeNiro who gives one of his finest performances of his career. Showing a softer side yet remaining in tuned with his fatherly instincts, DeNiro has redeemed some of his lesser works in the past years. He takes in some of the best and worst parts of all fathers' across the world. Worrying yet too hard at times it spills over into his children's decisions. Where the narrative misses in some aspects, DeNiro makes up for with his devotion and commitment to the character. It's an outstanding turn for him in his late career.

Over-dramatic, cliché, and a bit predictable, Everybody's Fine shows a beating heart. There's no stupidity or attitude in its form, just pure feeling. If you come from a family of secrets for the greater good (which may be the majority of us), this will speak volumes.

***/****

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official Licensor (worldwide)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 December 2009 (USA)

Also Known As:

Everybody's Fine

Filming Locations:

Skokie, Illinois, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$21,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$3,852,068, 6 December 2009

Gross USA:

$9,208,876

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$16,443,609

Company Credits

Production Co:

Miramax, Radar Pictures, Hollywood Gang Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1