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

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official Licensor (worldwide)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 December 2009 (USA)

Also Known As:

Están todos bien

Filming Locations:

Skokie, Illinois, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$21,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$3,852,068, 6 December 2009, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$8,855,646, 20 December 2009

Company Credits

Production Co:

Miramax,Radar Pictures,Hollywood Gang Productions

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

During the film, Frank (Robert De Niro), who made his livelihood in telephone wire, uses land-line telephones (payphones, et cetera). The children all use mobile (wireless) telephones.

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Goofs

When Frank takes the train from Chicago to Denver he passes some beautiful scenery, including various desert mesas as well as Glenwood Canyon, both things one would see when approaching Denver via Amtrak from the west, not the east.

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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

Remake of Everybody's Fine (1990)

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Soundtracks

At the Checkout Counter
Written and Performed by William Joseph Martin
Courtesy of Marc Ferrari/Mastersource

User Reviews

A LITTLE GEM, Euro-style

I wasn't planning on seeing this movie until I read some of the other IMDb reviews--then I reconsidered because one of the reviewers said it would be more meaningful to older folks with adult children. Glad I did. It's a little gem. It's more like a European film really, where nothing much happens (action-wise) but the characters are so well-drawn. Or, to put it another way, it's like reading a novel by Anne Tyler. I did think of ABOUT SCHMIDT during this movie--similar theme of a recent widower on a road-trip of self-discovery--but only to reflect on DeNiro's more subtle characterization. The movie is very well cast as a whole and all the acting, particularly from the child actors, is very natural and unaffected.