A Family Thing

1996

A Family Thing (1996)

TOMATOMETER

73%
83%

Critic Consensus: No consensus yet.

AUDIENCE SCORE

71%

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Movie Info

A middle-aged Southerner's world turns upside down after his mother's death when he learns that his real mother was the family's black maid and that he has a half-brother. After he finds his long-lost brother, most of the drama revolves around the difficult relationship between the two brothers.

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Cast

Robert Duvall
as Earl Pilcher Jr.
James Earl Jones
as Ray Murdoch
Michael Beach
as Virgil Murdoch
Irma P. Hall
as Aunt T.
Grace Zabriskie
as Ruby
Regina Taylor
as Ann
Mary Jackson
as Carrie
Paula Marshall
as Karen
David Keith
as Sonny
James N. Harrell
as Earl Sr.
Lauren Leigh Phillips
as Kindra
Ashleigh Jordan
as Danielle
Saundra Quarterman
as Young Aunt T.
Patrice Pitman Quinn
as Willa Mae
Don James
as Junior Turner
Jim Sanderson
as Dr. Parks
Karla Harscheid
as Young Carrie Pilcher
Crystal Laws Green
as Maotis
David Spenser
as The Nightclub Band
Marquis Ramone Colquitt
as Little Raymond
Nathan Lee Lewis
as Brother Conners
Katherine Mitchell
as Woman in Apartment
Xander Berkeley
as Sunburned Man
Willo Hausman
as Waitress
Rufus Thomas
as Tommy
Richard Lexsee
as Truckjacker
Ramsey Harris
as Truckjacker
J. Antonio Moon
as Truckjacker
Meg Thalken
as Doctor
Jeri Boyle
as Old Lady
Tommy Bush
as Old Man
Jacqueline Williams
as Woman at Hospital
Wanda Christine
as Woman at City Hall
Roy Hytower
as Man at Gas Station
John Mikels
as Policemen
Asa Harris
as Woman Birthday Friend
Bernard Mixon
as Birthday Husband
Paulette McDaniels
as Birthday Girl
Phillip Edward Van Lear
as Club Manager
Antoine Roshell
as Young Man in Car
Greg Hollimon
as Man No. 2
Reggie Hayes
as Virgil's Friend
Andrew Love
as Nightclub Band Member
Garry Goin
as Nightclub Band Member
Paul D. Wilson
as Nightclub Band Member
Ernie S. Adams
as Nightclub Band Member
Tony Brown
as Nightclub Band Member
Theotis Rogers
as Nightclub Band Member
David Spencer
as Nightclub Band Member
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Critic Reviews for A Family Thing

All Critics (22) | Top Critics (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.

Jan 1, 2000 | Rating: 3/4
USA Today
Top Critic

Underrated family drama; Duvall and Jones are terrific

Aug 17, 2006 | Rating: 4/5
Atlantic City Weekly

A just-OK teaming of two major talents

Aug 4, 2003 | Rating: 2/5
Kalamazoo Gazette

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

Aug 27, 2002 | Full Review…
Spirituality and Practice

Restrained, thoughtful, and ultimately very successful.

Jan 1, 2000 | Rating: 83/100
Apollo Guide

A poignant and beautifully life affirming film.

Jan 1, 2000 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…
Internet Reviews
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Audience Reviews for A Family Thing

Great movie.

Leo L
Leo L

Super Reviewer

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