We get on board because of [Lesnick's] crazy, singular personality, and we're expected to stay in our seats when she grows conventional and boring.
A Family Affair (2003)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
Reviews Counted:12
Fresh:3
Rotten:9
Average Rating:5.1/10
Theatrical Release:Feb 21, 2003 Limited
Synopsis: Helen Lesnick plays Rachel Rosen who flees New York City after another traumatic breakup with her capricious girlfriend Reggie Abravanel (Michele Greene). Rachel decides to make a fresh start cross... Helen Lesnick plays Rachel Rosen who flees New York City after another traumatic breakup with her capricious girlfriend Reggie Abravanel (Michele Greene). Rachel decides to make a fresh start cross country in San Diego. Rachel's parents, Leah and Sam Rosen (Arlene Golonka and Michael Moerman) had retired to San Diego previously and are adamant to see their wayward daughter settle down with a nice girl. Determined to find "Ms. Rightowitz", Rachel goes on several blind dates that misfire badly (Sue Wakefield) & (Kelly Neill). She finally breaks down and lets her mother set her up with Christine Peterson (Erica Shaffer), by all appearances a typical California girl. Much to Rachel's chagrin, she realizes her mother is right about Christine and lo and behold, soon they are loading up the moving van! Rachel's and Christine's relationship continues to develop until a holiday dinner at Rachel's parents house where Rachel hears Christine call Leah "Mom"! Rachel panics. Meanwhile, Rachel's friends and family (Marc DeWhitt, David Radford, Lesnick, and Keith E. Wright) & (Suzanne Westenhoefer) wait for her to screw up the relationship. They know, even if she won't admit it, that she still carries a torch for her ex-girlfriend and they're not sure what would happen if Reggie reappeared to reclaim her. Will Rachel run from another commitment or stick around... -- © Atta Girl Productions [More]
Starring: Helen Lesnick, Erica Shaffer, Arlene Golonka, Barbara Stuart
Starring: Helen Lesnick, Erica Shaffer, Arlene Golonka, Barbara Stuart
Director: Helen Lesnick
Director: Helen Lesnick
Studio: Small Planet
Get This Movie
Rent DVD
Click on the "ADD" button to put this movie into your Netflix queue. Or if you don't want to wait, you can click on the "PLAY" button and watch it right now!
Buy DVD
Release:
Jul 29, 2003
Reviews for A Family Affair
Without the ready-made drama of coming out and identity struggle, gay romance can feel as flimsy and forced as its straight counterpart.
Lesnick's sharp eye for humor manages to keep things from getting too preachy.
Affair is chock-full of moments where Lesnick breaks the fourth wall and pretty much does a standup routine right into the camera. It's funny once in a while, but gets extremely grating.
Suffers from inexperienced filmmaking and a self-absorbed lead character who fails to elicit any truly tangible degree of audience sympathy.
Lesnick, who over exaggerates her every facial gesture like a stand-up comic, would have benefited from having a director other than herself.
The pacing never accelerates beyond sluggish, and Lesnick's script is an awkward pile of gag lines.
A serious romantic comedy of such strength and substance and so entertaining that it doesn't matter that its minuscule budget shows around the edges.
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 44% 44% | Night at the Museum: B… |
| 32% 32% | Terminator Salvation |
| 36% 36% | Angels & Demons |
| 95% 95% | Star Trek |
| 25% 25% | Four Christmases |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 83% 83% | Harry Potter and the H… |
| 67% 67% | Public Enemies |
| 75% 75% | Julie & Julia |
| 95% 95% | The Cove |
| 85% 85% | World's Greatest Dad |
RT On Current TV
DIRECTV 358 | Comcast 107 | DISH Network 196 | More...
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
CloseSponsored Links
Around The Network
- A Family Affair at Rotten Tomatoes
- A Family Affair at AskMen
Fresh Links
Featured

Techland lists the best Sci-Fi films of this decade.

Moviefone takes a look back at the biggest stinkers of the past 10 years.

The Me and Orson Welles star answers reader questions on TIME.com.

Hollywood.com's C. Robert Cargill offers his thoughts on what the best decade for film was.

In the AV Club's "Scenic Routes," Mike D'Angelo reminisces about the Tim Burton film.
Promos

Get the latest Tomatometer updates on upcoming movies!



Top Critic



