La famiglia Fang

This is a very good work of fiction, well represented on the screen by Jason Bateman (who starred and directed it) and his stellar cast.

It's the story of a unusual family: you will find the story truly original, not only in its premises or in the sequence of events but also because in the end you'll be left without any moral teaching: everything will seem possible and acceptable.

I found it interesting but, to be sincere, not really catching or entertaining. If you are looking for a Comedy I'm afraid you'll be disappointed. If you think you are going to watch a drama you'll probably find it poorly moving. If you want to see something original, on the contrary, you could be satisfied I guess.

Annie Fang (Nicole Kidman) is struggling in her acting career and pushed into a topless scene. Her brother Baxter (Jason Bateman) is struggling with his award-winning writing and his idiot friends hit him with a potato gun. He convinces her to visit their parents (Christopher Walken, Maryann Plunkett). As young kids, their artistic parents (Jason Butler Harner, Kathryn Hahn) would perform surprise pranks on the public with them. Suddenly, their parents go missing and the siblings go in search for them.

The present-day scenes have some big names but I kept wondering if the movie would function better as a coming-of-age story with the kids and two outrageous parents. It's not that the present-day doesn't work. Kidman is wondrous. It's just that the flashbacks represent better potential. Of course, it would be a more standard movie. Going missing presents some additional interesting possibilities but the best resolution may be them actually being dead.

'THE FAMILY FANG': Four and a Half Stars (Out of Five)

A dark comedy-drama flick, about the two adult children of a very controversial 'conceptual performance art' couple. The siblings blame their mother and father for all of their current problems in life; and when their parents go missing, the sister is sure it's just another disturbing art project. The film was directed by Jason Bateman, who also co-stars in it, and it was written by David Lindsay-Abaire. It's based on the 2011 novel, of the same name, by Kevin Wilson. The movie also co-stars Nicole Kidman (who co-produced the flick too), Christopher Walken, Maryann Plunkett, Kathryn Hahn (who also costarred in 'BAD WORDS'; which Bateman also directed and starred in) and Jason Butler Harner. I enjoyed the film immensely.

Baxter and Annie Fang (Bateman and Kidman) had a very bizarre, and highly unconventional, upbringing. Their parents are world famous 'conceptual performance artists', named Caleb and Camille Fang (Walken and Plunkett), and they incorporated Baxter and Annie into most of their projects (when they were young). The siblings have had a lot of issues, as adults, because of it. When their mother and father go missing, and are presumed dead by authorities, Annie becomes obsessed with proving it's another art trick.

I really like the story for this movie; it poses a lot of great questions about what makes great art. I'm a big fan of performance art (I experience with it a lot on social media), so this film is very interesting to me. I agree with Christopher Walken's character, on his opinions about art, but I think he took it too far, by involving his kids (I can see how that could do a lot of psychological damage to them). The movie is also a great character study, and the performances are all excellent too. Bateman also proves, once again, what a talented director he is, as well (I'm also a big fan of 'BAD WORDS'). It's definitely a film worth seeing!

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This Be The Verse, by Philip Larkin, opens with the lines: "They f*ck you up, your mum and dad. They may not mean to, but they do." The Family Fang is basically an exploration of that thesis. The parents of two damaged individuals go missing. The siblings come together to try and find them, one believing they have fallen foul of serial killers, the other thinking this is another prank in a long line of stunts their parents are famous for. All the actors do credible turns, but the themes could be explored more deeply. The revelation that the father never wanted children should impact much more heavily than it does. The waning career of Kidman's actor character seems a slight and peripheral concern. Bateman's near death-by-potato is funny, but doesn't resonate to a deeper malaise. The film carries the comedy well, but the darkness is less truthful and engaging. A spotty film, with bright moments, but I wanted more than it delivered.

Based on the 2011 novel of the same name by Kevin Wilson, 'The Family Fang' by Jason Bateman, is a wonder of a film. No kidding, this is a sublime film, about family & the importance of parenthood. This One's A Near-Perfect Comedy-Drama!

'The Family Fang' Synopsis: A brother and sister return to their family home in search of their world famous parents who have disappeared.

'The Family Fang' is a quietly devastating film, on how important it is to be a good parent, in order to raise their children sane. In here, the unsettled protagonists (Bateman, Nicole Kidman, in Pure Oscar Peak Form), are a victim of unusual parents (Christopher Walken & Maryann Plunkett, both brilliant). They are not your regular parents, they are attention seekers, who find Art in the Reality of Life. They put up gigs (not even one of which shows any signs of entertainment, but of rather fright) & they swear to live by it, in extreme measures. Its a devastating journey to see this family so distort, torn between love, commitment & art.

David Lindsay-Abaire's Adapted Screenplay is superior in all terms. 'The Family Fang' is essentially a comedy, with some dark, dramatic undertones. I was engrossed & heartbroken by the struggle of its scarred protagonist. 'The Family Fang' is about artistry gone too far & how a family is only a family, when you treat it like one. Bateman's Direction is Brilliant. He takes charge of the narrative & doesn't let you go. Take a bow, Mr.Batemen!

The Fangs aren't particularly normal, but nor is their journey. Don't Miss It!