Starring Kirk Douglas, his ex-wife Diana, and their progeny, IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY centers on the Gromberg family, who do not communicate very well. Alex (Michael Douglas) is trying to reconnect with father (Kirk Douglas), who is recovering from a stroke and has impaired speech. (But what really impairs Mitchell’s communication is his irascible nature.) Alex works at the law firm his dad co-founded, but his heart is not into corporate work. He is happier working at a soup kitchen and organizing a rent strike. When another volunteer at the soup kitchen makes a pass at Alex, he is conflicted but almost willing to become involved with her. His wife Rebecca (Bernadette Peters) is a therapist, warm and loving, but they are not connecting as much as they both need to. Their son Asher (Cameron Douglas) is a slacker, failing in college and selling marijuana. Their younger son, Eli (Rory Culkin) does not feel that he can talk to his parents. Instead of telling them that he needs more allowance, he prints off a spreadsheet showing them his expenses.