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The ending ties things up a bit too neatly, but this is a ravishingly beautiful film. Good ensemble work by all the cast (although the lovely Uma has obviously had some acting classes since this role)...However, the art direction is the true star - it's definitely worth checking out for that alone. This may not be Boorman's best work, but it didn't deserve the panning it got from the mainstream media when it came out.

One of John Boorman's finest films. Dabney Coleman rises above his paper-cutout character status of the "bad guy" to become a basic family man with real family problems and the "kids" played by Hannah, Glover and Amis are really fun characters. The plot actually has twists in it that make the whole thing fun to watch and the ending has a "rightness" to it which lets you come away from the film with a good feeling about life and people. A really good way to spend a couple of hours.

In this day and age, many people have forgotten what really matters in their lives. Materialism is fleeting, and trying economic times are shining new light on this wonderful cautionary tale of twenty years ago.

The McBains are, like most of us, a product of their times. Not merely a dysfunctional family, but one so immersed in the material world that they've lost sight of what truly matters in their lives. But when it all comes crashing down around their feet, they discover that the loyalty of family and friends reigns supreme.

I consider it wrong to classify this wonderful story as a comedy - it is a drama through and through, despite comedic moments. Though there are moments of coarse language and nudity, they are done tactfully and the movie should probably be re-rated to PG-13. The family learns a hard lesson on what it is to be a family, and people shouldn't be so quick to dismiss it due to its R rating.

The themes are hardly suitable for pre-teens but, all-in-all, a wonderful movie for the entire family.

Pity the poor reviewer who disliked / didn't understand this wonderful film. What a sad life he must lead!

This movie has more to say about life and relationships than most I've ever seen, yet it's not dark or preachy like the "ordinary people" type of film. It is mostly humorous, though not technically a comedy.

The whole thing feels a little like a fantasy, perhaps Shakespear's "Midsummer Nights' Dream." Beautiful, intelligent women abound, with wonderful cinematography and a non-insulting screenplay that doesn't miss a beat.

I look forward to seeing it every time this film is re-run on cable. It's like re-reading a favorite, treasured book.

This is quite honestly a beautiful film. The women and men are gorgeous and there is eye-candy here for many and charm and grace for other's. I don't agree with the "comedy" classification. This is a film that stretches social boundaries. Maybe the biggest problem with this film was it tried to say too much in far to many areas, thus leaving holes or unfinished plot lines.

In the late eighties and early 90's the impact of computers (and internet) on business made a mint for some and lost a mint for other's. Those that fought the old ways, no found themselves to be the outsiders in society. Not the artists, gay males, old homeless men, etc. It was and still is a time to reaccess priorities.

I liked there was a gay male character shown in such a positive light. The ending is a bit of a sell out for his story line, but should not impact the importance of the role during the time it was filmed. There was interracial dating, the realization that homelessness could happen to anyone at any time.

I also understood the main character's motivation for "tossing" his college educated children out of their wealthy home ..... he didn't exactly leave them on the street. As was mentioned briefly, most of the parents in this super wealthy world were more then ready for their children to leave the nest.

The way the adult children adjusted to a new lifestyle and fending for themselves (or not) and the strange yet strikingly beautiful life they built with friends and new friends, was IMO well developed. The movie also covers the territory of the empty nest syndrome and the parents realizing after 26 years they are "strangers." The reawakening and strengthening of family values was very inspiring.

Final note .... students of art and art lovers, or those that enjoy beautifully filmed movies should not miss it.