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A Family Thing (1996)

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All Critics
Top Critics

Average Rating: 6.3/10
Reviews Counted: 22
Fresh: 16 | Rotten: 6

No consensus yet.

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

No consensus yet.

audience

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

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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

Directed By: Richard Pearce

In Theaters: Mar 29, 1996 Wide

On DVD: May 8, 2001

MGM Home Entertainment

A Family Thing Trailer & Photos

Cast

Robert Duvall
Earl Pilcher Jr.
James Earl Jones
Ray Murdock
Michael Beach
Virgil
Irma P. Hall
Aunt T.
Grace Zabriskie
Ruby
Regina Taylor
Ann
Xander Berkeley
Sunburned Man
Wanda Christine
Woman at City Hall
James N. Harrell
Earl Pilcher Sr.
Willo Hausman
Waitress
Roy Hytower
Man at Gas Station
Mary Jackson
Carrie
Don James
Junior Turner
Paula Marshall
Karen
Antoine Roshell
Young Man in Car
Rufus Thomas
Tommy
David Keith
Sonny
Meg Thalken
Doctor
David Spenser
The Nightclub Band
Tony Brown
The Nightclub Band

Critic Reviews for A Family Thing

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

Susan Wloszczyna

USA Today

Top Critic

Underrated family drama; Duvall and Jones are terrific

August 17, 2006 Comment

Lori Hoffman

Atlantic City Weekly Source: Atlantic City Weekly

A just-OK teaming of two major talents

August 4, 2003 Comment

James Sanford

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

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat

Spirituality and Practice

Restrained, thoughtful, and ultimately very successful.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Apollo Guide

| Comment

Brian Webster

Apollo Guide

A poignant and beautifully life affirming film.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Internet Reviews

| Comment

Steve Rhodes

Internet Reviews

More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for A Family Thing

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Great movie.

January 27, 2008

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 performance.

November 10, 2010