The Myth of Fingerprints

1997

The Myth of Fingerprints

Critics Consensus

No consensus yet.

56%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 1,466

Super Reviewer

Rate this movie

Oof, that was Rotten.

Meh, it passed the time.

It’s good – I’d recommend it.

Awesome!

So Fresh: Absolute Must See!

What did you think of the movie? (optional)
You're almost there! Just confirm how you got your ticket.
Super Reviewer
Step 2 of 2

How did you get your ticket?
By opting to have your ticket verified for this movie, you are allowing us to check the email address associated with your Rotten Tomatoes account against an email address associated with a Fandango ticket purchase for the same movie.
You're almost there! Just confirm how you got your ticket.
Super Reviewer

Rate this movie

Oof, that was Rotten.

Meh, it passed the time.

It’s good – I’d recommend it.

Awesome!

So Fresh: Absolute Must See!

What did you think of the movie? (optional)
How did you get your ticket?
- Fandango
- AMC (Coming Soon)
  
  We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.
- Cinemark (Coming Soon)
  
  We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.
- Regal (Coming Soon)
  
  We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.
- Bought somewhere else
By opting to have your ticket verified for this movie, you are allowing us to check the email address associated with your Rotten Tomatoes account against an email address associated with a Fandango ticket purchase for the same movie.
You haven’t finished your review yet, want to submit as-is?

You can always edit your review after.
Are you sure?

Verified reviews are considered more trustworthy by fellow moviegoers.
Want to submit changes to your review before closing?

The Myth of Fingerprints Photos

View All Photos (4)

Movie Info

The adult children of a conservative New England family return home for Thanksgiving weekend and find themselves forced to come to grips with their family's dysfunction. The prime difficulty comes from the fact that their parents, particularly their already taciturn and enigmatic father, are rapidly distancing themselves from their children. This leaves the off-spring not only pondering their place in the family, but also with each other.

Rating:

R (adult situations/language, sex)
Genre:

Drama
Directed By:

Bart Freundlich
Written By:

Bart Freundlich
In Theaters:

Jun 1, 1997 wide
On Disc/Streaming:

May 9, 2000
Runtime:

93 minutes
Studio:

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Cast

Blythe Danner
as Lena

Roy Scheider
as Hal

Laurel Holloman
as Leigh

Hope Davis
as Margaret

Brian Kerwin
as Elliot

James Le Gros
as Cezanne

Julianne Moore
as Mia

Arija Bareikis
as Daphne

Michael Vartan
as Jake

Noah Wyle
as Warren

Randee Allen
as Waitress

Justin Barreto
as Young Jake

Chris Bauer
as Jerry

Nicholas Bourgeois
as Young Warren

Tom Cumler
as Man at Train Station

Christopher Duva
as Tom

Kelsey Gunn
as Young Leigh

Polly Pelletier
as Young Mia

Pamela Polhemus
as Bookstore Woman

Michael Rupert
as Warren's Psychiatrist

View All

Critic Reviews for The Myth of Fingerprints

All Critics (20) | Top Critics (4) | Fresh (12) | Rotten (8)

It's mainly through the efforts of the superior ensemble cast that the family drama turns out to be better than average.

Nov 29, 2009 | Rating: B | Full Review…

Dennis Schwartz
Ozus' World Movie Reviews
A dull indie hand-crafted for the Sundance Festival and not much else.

Mar 26, 2003 | Rating: 2/5

Jeffrey M. Anderson
San Francisco Examiner
Near-perfect.

Feb 28, 2002 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…

Michael W. Phillips, Jr.
Goatdog's Movies
Kudos is as kudos does.

Jan 1, 2000 | Rating: 3.5/4 | Full Review…

David N. Butterworth
rec.arts.movies.reviews

View All Critic Reviews (20)

Audience Reviews for The Myth of Fingerprints

Jan 30, 2012

An indie film trying too hard to be too indie? Perhaps but I found the performances to be compelling. It's nice to see Roy Scheider involved in something that doesn't involve the ocean or a large fish.

John B Super Reviewer
Jul 02, 2008

Some great performances.

Anthony V Super Reviewer
Apr 06, 2007

somber and overreaching but well acted

jay n Super Reviewer
Oct 21, 2006

A little known gem of a movie, with exceptional performances from its ensemble cast (particularly Julianne Moore and Noah Wyle). The storyline hardly sounds like gripping stuff - an extended family reunites for the Thanksgiving holidays, and have to confront each other and their secrets - but it's expertly done and very well photographed and edited. Definitely worth a look.

Daniel P Super Reviewer