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

It's a remake of Everybody's Fine (1990), an Italian movie starring Marcello Mastroianni in the De Niro role.

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Goofs

In the scene where Frank's kids visit their father in the hospital, Robert's arms shift from crossed in the head-on shots to extended (leaning on the bed frame) in the side-angle shots.

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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

References Taxi Driver (1976)

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Soundtracks

The Time of Times
Written by Badly Drawn Boy (as Damon Michael Gough)
Performed by Badly Drawn Boy
Courtesy of EMI Records Ltd.
Under license from EMI Film & Television Music

User Reviews

It's been a long trip

Greetings again from the darkness. Writer/director Kirk Jones just needs to work a little more frequently. His first two projects were the fascinating Waking Ned Devine and the deeper than expected Nanny McPhee. The guy has some real talent and unique insight. He is also wise enough to cast Robert Deniro and then bring out his best performance in years.

Sure, there are some similarities to Nicholson's wonderful turn in About Schmidt, but contrary to the trailers, this one is no light-hearted holiday fluff. There are deep emotions and more real-life family baggage than most will care to admit (translated, there were quite a few sniffles in the theatre).

Deniro's kids are scattered about leading their own lives after a childhood of pressure, demands and expectations. The differences in how each have handled it is very interesting. Drew Barrymore wants very much to be the daddy's girl, while Kate Beckinsale is the corporate type-A who just can't manage her family. The always excellent Sam Rockwell is the music prodigy enjoying his stress-free live as a symphonic percussionist (instead of a conductor). The youngest is a troubling story line that ends up tying everything together for the Deniro character, as well as the family.

Aside from the mostly atrocious music, this one is an emotional tug-fest that will stimulate a bit of self-analysis from all parents.