Familiar Strangers

Why different? It is harrd to say. It is quiet in its approach and gives you time to enter the world of the characters. it gives you time to know them, and to figure out their motivations without caterring to the lowest common denominator. By the end, I was loving this film and wishing there were more like it.

It seems that the story was real in every way. There weren't many people in the theater when I was there but I heard great comments from others when we left.

The acting was great, especially the dad and mom. I laughed and cried and was glad I came. Will definitely recommend.

This is a somewhat odd comedy, but it actually works very well for most parts, it is a strange family, some strange characters, a strange plot/story and all-in-all a strange or odd movie.

There are many things in this that works out, it is a lot of small events that form the bigger picture and it is strangely intriguing, maybe because some of the small events will be something you will recognize from yourself or your family. It is all these small quirks and strange acts that makes this film work and make it realistic and believable.

The pace is slow but homely, the characters could have been some from your family or home town and it is funny and entertaining in its own way.

Greetings again from the darkness. Small indie movie that tries to capture the frustration, pain and struggles we each face in the slow evolution of role within an aging family. While not at the level of "Junebug", it does deliver some excellent moments, situations and dialogue.

I first noticed Shawn Hatosy in the underrated "Outside Providence" and have enjoyed his work in "The Cooler" and "Nobel Son". His desire to re-connect with a Dad, who is crushed that his son chose to move to the city rather than run the family hardware store, is realistic and well played. Tom Brewer is excellent as the distant dad, even though he is a dead ringer of Billy Bob Thornton in "Swing Blade". Quirky DJ Qualls delivers the zingers and quips in fine fashion, Anna Paquin lookalike Cameron Richardson plays the bitter, recently divorced sister who just can't get it together. The mom (Ann Dowd) continues to do what she has always done ... act as the protector for her family, shielding them from bad news (such as the death of a relative!).

This typically dysfunctional family does manage to re-connect over a game of donkey ball at the annual fair. That's quite an event. Still despite the solid nature of John Bell's script, I constantly had the feeling that I was watching an amateur film. This was mostly due to the choppiness of Zachary Adler's direction. The numerous close-ups actually reduced the intimacy of many moments in the film. Worth seeing, but not at the level of "Juno" or "Little Miss Sunshine" as it is being advertised.

This film masterfully avoids the Hollywood glitz and hype (and message-drivenness of late) by following the antics of a slightly dysfunctional but not ridiculous American family. (no 'Royal Tenenbaums' here) The scenes are 'everyday' and easy to relate to while carrying meaning, engaging and moving the audience forward.

The "everyman" sense you get from the father especially and the "everytown" feeling you get from their small town really connect with almost anyone from a "real" family with generic problems.

Good script and casting.... love the "D-ball" town rivalry and simplicity of relationships - in all their evolving glory. The awkwardness and sports-talk speaks volumes of truth about the divide yet understandings between generations.

I can't believe this was produced on a low-budget. Really a breath of fresh air, this year. See and support this film! I hope we can see more of these produced.

I attended the opening of the film for the public in Fairfax, VA. This film is an especially good movie if you're looking for characters of depth and a good story. I was impressed with the development of the characters, the level and quality of the acting and the overall production value for an independent effort with a limited budget. The script and story line were well developed, had rich content. They especially ring true to those that have undergone, or are undergoing, changes in their family relationships as parents grow older and children become adults.

Set in any town America, during the Thanksgiving holiday, it is a touching story, with a poignant ending. But it is also liberally sprinkled with slightly off-beat and light hearted humor. A very good effort by the fledgling Cavalier films, and I hope to see more films of similar quality from this promising enterprise in the future.