Rotten Tomatoes Logo Do you want to see ‘A Family Thing’?

A Family Thing (1996)

tomatometer

83

Average Rating: 6.8/10
Critic Reviews: 6
Fresh: 5 | Rotten: 1

No consensus yet.

audience

62

liked it
Average Rating: 3.4/5
User Ratings: 2,422

My Rating

Movie Info

In this family drama, a white Southerner discovers that his family history isn't what he thought it was -- with the fact that he's half-black only one of his many surprises. Earl Pilcher, Jr. (Robert Duvall) runs a gas station in Arkansas; he's a typical middle-aged Southern man who likes his pickup truck and loves his momma. Shortly after his mother's death, he receives some very unexpected news; she wasn't really his mother after all. It seems that years ago, Earl Sr. (James N. Harrell) raped

PG-13, 1 hr. 49 min.

Drama

May 8, 2001

MGM Home Entertainment

Cast

All Critics (33) | Top Critics (12) | Fresh (16) | Rotten (6)

It's likely to be overrated by some and underrated by others, and both contingents will be wrong. One can't, however, overrate the performances, with auntie ruling the roost in more ways than one.

January 1, 2000 Comment
USA Today
Top Critic IconTop Critic

Underrated family drama; Duvall and Jones are terrific

August 17, 2006 Comment

A just-OK teaming of two major talents

August 4, 2003 Comment
Kalamazoo Gazette

Uplifting film that celebrates the ties that link people together despite vast differences.

August 27, 2002 Full Review Source: Spirituality and Practice | Comment
Spirituality and Practice

Restrained, thoughtful, and ultimately very successful.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Apollo Guide | Comment
Apollo Guide

A poignant and beautifully life affirming film.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Internet Reviews | Comment
Internet Reviews
More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for A Family Thing

Great movie.

January 27, 2008
ileo
Leo L

Super Reviewer

This is one of the best dramas I've seen to date. A Caucasian man finds out that his real mother is black and that he has a black brother as well, and that's when the intrigue really kicks in. This movie was very interesting and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It told such a warm heartfelt story and everyone put on a good

November 10, 2010
mistachy
DJ Jackson

A Family Thing Quotes

No quotes approved yet for A Family Thing. Logged in users can submit quotes.

Latest News for A Family Thing

What's Hot On RT

Critics Consensus
Critics Consensus

Journey 2 Not Worth the Trip

Luis Guzman
Luis Guzman

What are his 10 best movies ever?

<em>Amazing Spider-Man</em>
Amazing Spider-Man

See the all-new action-packed trailer!

The Avengers!
The Avengers!

Five new Marvelous pictures

Top Movie Quizzes

LEGO Mania: 2011 Best Picture Nominees
by natalie - 18,568 taken
created 12 months ago
How Much Do You Know About Leonardo DiCaprio?
by natalie - 44,449 taken
created 15 months ago
Pixar Movies!
by jdikwlzviv - 27,159 taken
created 15 months ago
The Wizards of Harry Potter
by jdikwlzviv - 27,655 taken
created 15 months ago
Help | About | Jobs | Newsletter | Critics Submission | API | Licensing | Blog | Developers | Mobile