The Family Stone

2005, Holiday, 1h 44m

156 Reviews 250,000+ Ratings

What to know

critics consensus

This family holiday dramedy features fine performances but awkward shifts of tone. Read critic reviews

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Movie Info

Everett Stone (Dermot Mulroney) wants to bring his girlfriend, Meredith Morton (Sarah Jessica Parker), to meet his bohemian Connecticut family at Christmas. Straitlaced Meredith, feeling she needs backup, asks her sister Julie (Claire Danes) to come along. Hoping to win the approval of her boyfriend's parents Sybil (Diane Keaton) and Kelly (Craig T. Nelson) and the rest of the family, instead Meredith succeeds only in highlighting her uptight personality and making Everett doubt his intentions.
  • Rating:
    PG-13 (Some Sexual Content|Drug References)
  • Genre:
    Holiday
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Thomas Bezucha
  • Producer:
    Michael London
  • Writer:
    Thomas Bezucha
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     wide
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $60.1M
  • Runtime:
  • Distributor:
    20th Century Fox
  • Sound Mix:
    Dolby SRD
  • Aspect Ratio:
    Flat (1.85:1)

Cast & Crew

Dermot Mulroney
Everett Stone
Sarah Jessica Parker
Meredith Morton
Diane Keaton
Sybil Stone
Luke Wilson
Ben Stone
Claire Danes
Julie Morton
Rachel McAdams
Amy Stone
Craig T. Nelson
Kelly Stone
Tyrone Giordano
Thad Stone
Brian White
Patrick Thomas
Elizabeth Reaser
Susannah Stone
Paul Schneider
Brad Stevenson
Savannah Stehlin
Elizabeth Stone
Jamie Kaler
John Trousdale
Thomas Bezucha
Director
Thomas Bezucha
Writer
Jennifer Ogden
Executive Producer
Michael London
Producer
Mindy Marin
Co-Producer
Michael Giacchino
Original Music
Jonathan Brown
Cinematographer
Jeffrey Ford
Film Editing
Mindy Marin
Casting
Jane Ann Stewart
Production Design
Mario R. Ventenilla
Art Director
Shay Cunliffe
Costume Design
Show all Cast & Crew

Critic Reviews for The Family Stone

All Critics (156) | Top Critics (48) | Fresh (81) | Rotten (75)
Full Review… David Ansen Newsweek Full Review… Andrew Sarris Observer Full Review… Nell Minow Movie Mom Full Review… Kimberley Jones Austin Chronicle Full Review… James Berardinelli ReelViews Full Review… Moira MacDonald Seattle Times Full Review… Micheal Compton Bowling Green Daily News Full Review… Leigh Paatsch Herald Sun (Australia) Full Review… Christopher Borrelli Toledo Blade Full Review… Jay Antani Cinema Writer Full Review… Felix Vasquez Jr. Cinema Crazed Full Review… Scott Mendelson rec.arts.movies.reviews
View All Critic Reviews (156)

Audience Reviews for The Family Stone

  • Dec 14, 2012
    The Family Stone is a messy, convoluted family comedy that gets lost in itself. The story follows Everett Stone as he brings his girlfriend home for Christmas to meet his family, and the shenanigans that ensue. The film has an all-star cast that includes Sarah Jessica Parker, Diane Keaton, Craig T. Nelson, Rachel McAdams, and Luke Wilson. However, the script is weak; going off on several tangents and the tone is constantly changing. As a result, the story never gets going and is constantly battling between comedy and drama. Lacking focus and clear direction, The Family Stone is an underwhelming and chaotic film that's not very entertaining.
    Dann M Super Reviewer
  • Apr 26, 2012
    The cast give it their best shot, but they can't save this film from a script full of contrived drama and jarring tone inconsistencies. When the film is trying to be dramatic, it feels like a Lifetime channel movie. The relationships are unbelievable and the family comes across as unpleasant and mean. When the film is trying to be funny, it is humorless slapstick that is usually placed after "serious" moments. The movie is also very blandly directed and the cinematography is TV movie quality. Their is some good acting and a few little laughs but the film does not work as a whole. This movie is not a "feel-good" romantic comedy, it is a "feel-bad" TV movie that somehow missed the Lifetime channel.
    Christopher H Super Reviewer
  • Jun 23, 2011
    Heartwarming. Everyone in this film was exceptional. The acting was outstanding and the story was cleverly and beautifully written. You don't except the ending and Sarah Jessica Parker really did have a good role in this film. A must see!
    Bethany M Super Reviewer
  • Nov 27, 2010
    Completely underrated! Great film!
    Jameson W Super Reviewer
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