Staying Together

Three brothers from a small town somewhere in South Carolina learn that their father sold the chicken business, because he hated eggs. Then their older brother moves out and he needed the job. Their middle brother got a job at a clothing store.

The McDermott family spilts apart after their father sold the businness, and then reunite together after their father's death.

A little bit good, and A little bit poor.

***1/2.

A wonderful look into the lives of three brothers that are making that giant step into becoming people. Growing up in a small town U.S.A., the McDermott brothers find themselves and their family changed with the selling of the family business and the death of their father. One searches from a place in society with success, as the other searches for love and achievement. Sean Astin leads this wonderful cast of original and very true characters as the more troubled and comical of the three brothers. The overall moral of this story is hope. My final comment, its a nice film for the right audience.

This slightly below average film explores a typical small town South Carolina family through some trials and tribulations.

While it breaks no new dramatic ground, "Staying Together" takes a look at the coming of age of late teen brothers in an average American semi-rural setting.

The talented Stockard Channing heads a handsome cast, all hard working to make the most of an earnest if uneven script.

While the film isn't for everyone, those who can appreciate a story of an average smalltown American family may find these characters and situations of interest. Lee Grant is the director.

The security that three brothers had with their family and their father's business is shattered without warning when the business is sold. Each brother deals in his own way: one growing up quickly, one capping his anger until he explodes, and the youngest, who is seemingly unaffected, actually being the glue that holds everything together. It's a great idea that with another 30 minutes could have been developed into a wonderful film; unfortunately, in about 90 minutes all that was done was done shallowly. Except for the acting: all the actors, particularly those playing the brothers, were great, and tried very hard to make the film three-dimensional. An OK "feel-good" movie, worth seeing.

I have to admit, given I saw it close to when it was made, I cannot remember the whole film. I have flashes of Melinda Dillon's performance in my head and I absolutely refuse to say anything even remotely negative about Stockard Channing. What also sticks in my head, to this day, is a scene between the three brothers...all of them walking down the main road of the town at some ungodly hour after a good round of drinking and Sean Astin is trying to convince the other two that F*** you is actually a compliment. He has his reasons. It's worth watching. But that's my opinion.

P.S. To the previous poster...the WORST movie ever? Well I only lasted about 20 minutes into Howard the Duck, but I certainly think it has the flop odor to top almost anything else.