Poster for It Runs in the Family

It Runs in the Family

2003, Comedy/Drama, 1h 49m

99 Reviews 5,000+ Ratings

critics consensus

Despite its gimmick casting, the movie ultimately goes nowhere. Read critic reviews

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It Runs in the Family Photos

Father and son KIRK DOUGLAS (as Mitchell Gromberg) and MICHAEL DOUGLAS (as Alex Gromberg) star onscreen together for the first time in their remarkable careers in MGM Pictures' IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY. photo 1

MICHAEL DOUGLAS and BERNADETTE PETERS star as husband and wife Alex and Rebecca Gromberg in MGM Pictures' IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY. photo 2

Father and son KIRK DOUGLAS (as Mitchell, seated) and MICHAEL DOUGLAS (as Alex) star onscreen together for the first time in their remarkable careers in MGM Pictures' IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY. photo 3

Three generations of the Gromberg family - Mitchell, Alex, and Asher (left to right) - are played by three generations of the Douglas family - KIRK DOUGLAS, MICHAEL DOUGLAS, and CAMERON DOUGLAS. photo 4

Father and son KIRK DOUGLAS (as Mitchell Gromberg) and MICHAEL DOUGLAS (as Alex Gromberg) star onscreen together for the first time in their remarkable careers in MGM Pictures' IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY. photo 5

MICHAEL DOUGLAS stars as lawyer Mitchell Gromberg in MGM Pictures' IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY. photo 6

Real-life mother and son DIANA DOUGLAS and MICHAEL DOUGLAS star as mother and son Evelyn and Alex Gromberg in MGM Pictures' IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY. photo 7

Acclaimed director FRED SCHEPISI discusses a scene with KIRK DOUGLAS and MICHAEL DOUGLAS while filming MGM Pictures' IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY. photo 8

Former real-life couple KIRK DOUGLAS and DIANA DOUGLAS star as husband and wife Mitchell and Evelyn Gromberg in MGM Pictures' IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY. photo 9

Husband and wife Alex and Rebecca Gromberg (MICHAEL DOUGLAS and BERNADETTE PETERS) examine their marriage in MGM Pictures' IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY. photo 10

BERNADETTE PETERS stars as wife and mother Rebecca Gromberg in MGM Pictures' IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY. photo 11

CAMERON DOUGLAS and MICHELLE MONAGHAN star as Asher Gromberg and Peg Maloney in MGM Pictures' IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY. photo 12

CAMERON DOUGLAS makes his feature film debut as Asher Gromberg in MGM Pictures' IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY. photo 13

Mitchell Gromberg (KIRK DOUGLAS) greets his grandson, Eli (RORY CULKIN), in MGM Pictures' IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY. photo 14

KIRK DOUGLAS stars as Mitchell Gromberg in MGM Pictures' IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY. photo 15

KIRK DOUGLAS and BERNADETTE PETERS star as Mitchell Gromberg and his daughter-in-law, Rebecca Gromberg, in MGM Pictures' IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY. photo 16

DIANA DOUGLAS stars as Evelyn Gromberg in MGM Pictures' IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY. photo 17

It Runs in the Family photo 18

It Runs in the Family photo 19

It Runs in the Family photo 20

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Movie Info

Three generations of males -- grandfather Mitch Gromberg (Kirk Douglas), son Alex (Michael Douglas) and grandson Asher (Cameron Douglas) -- try to chart their way through personal upheavals and come together after Mitch suffers a stroke. Alex, a womanizer going through a midlife crisis and fearing he's become like his neglectful father, attempts to save Asher from a life of drugs. None of them wanted to turn into their fathers, but it'll take a lot more than wishes to heal the damage done.

Rating:

PG-13 (Language|Drug Content|Sexual Material)
Genre:

Comedy, Drama
Original Language:

English
Director:

Fred Schepisi
Writer:

Jesse Wigutow
Release Date (Theaters):

Apr 25, 2003 wide
Release Date (Streaming):

Oct 21, 2003
Box Office (Gross USA):

$7.4M
Runtime:

1h 49m
Distributor:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Sound Mix:

Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio:

Scope (2.35:1)

Cast & Crew

Michael Douglas

Michael Douglas
Alex Gromberg

Kirk Douglas
Mitchell Gromberg

Rory Culkin
Eli Gromberg

Cameron Douglas

Cameron Douglas
Asher Gromberg

Diana Douglas
Evelyn Gromberg

Bernadette Peters

Bernadette Peters
Rebecca Gromberg

Show all Cast & Crew

Critic Reviews for It Runs in the Family

All Critics (99) | Top Critics (37) | Fresh (29) | Rotten (70)

Full Review… Nell Minow Common Sense Media

Full Review… Jamie Russell BBC.com

Full Review… Sara Michelle Fetters MovieFreak.com

Full Review… Rex Reed Observer

Full Review… Ed Park Village Voice

Full Review… Richard Roeper Ebert & Roeper

Full Review… Joel Siegel Good Morning America

Full Review… Ryan Cracknell Apollo Guide

Full Review… Brian Gibson Vue Weekly (Edmonton, Alberta)

Full Review… John J. Puccio Movie Metropolis

Full Review… Jorge Avila Andrade Moviola

Full Review… Josh Gilchrist rec.arts.movies.reviews

View All Critic Reviews (99)

Audience Reviews for It Runs in the Family

Sep 01, 2009

Cast: Kirk Douglas, Michael Douglas, Bernadette Peters, Rory Culkin, Cameron Douglas, Diana Darrid Douglas, Michelle Monaghan, Geoffrey Arend, Sarita Choudhury, Irene Gorovaia, Audra McDonald, Annie Golden, Josh Pais Director: Fred Schepisi Summary: The Gromberg family is one of the most powerful families in New York City -- but hidden beneath a veneer of perfection is a wealth of dysfunction. Three generations of Douglas thespians star in this touching drama about the ties that bind. My Thoughts: "Although it was nice to see three generations on the screen thogether, the film wasn't that great. It had some funny moments here and there but not the comedy I thought it was going to be. It was more of a drama. A lot of father and son issues going on in this film that I am sure some will be able to relate to. The acting was good and it's unfortunate Cameron Douglas is in the position he is cause I think he could have easily followed in his grandfather and father's footsteps in the film industry. I thought he did good in the movie. I liked his character, he was fun. Perhaps the film is more fact then fiction. Either way it wasn't great but I enjoyed it."

♥˩ƳИИ & Super Reviewer
Oct 25, 2008

Not really very original and pretty dull in parts.

Sunil J Super Reviewer
Sep 26, 2007

A scattershot mess whose only interest is the casting of three generations of Douglases in the main roles.

jay n Super Reviewer

See All Audience reviews