The Family Stone (PG-13, 2005)
common sense media says
Bittersweet story won't appeal to younger teens.
parents & educators say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this romantic comedy focuses on family tensions emerging when grown children come home for the Christmas holidays. Characters argue and pout; brothers fight, causing black eyes and cut cheeks. Characters drink at a bar, to the point that one passes out and doesn't remember how she ends up in her fiancé's brother's bed. One character is accused of racism, homophobia, and general "uptightness." While it's mainly comedic, the movie also includes a plot thread where a character is dying of cancer (brief glimpse of her mastectomy scar).
Violence:
Some fighting between brothers, treated as comedy and leaving black eyes and cut faces.
Sex:
Sexual activity hinted at (woman wakes up in wrong brother's bed); gay couple kisses chastely; parents kiss and snuggle in bed, revealing very briefly the mother's mastectomy scar.
Language:
Minor language ("damn," "s--t").
Consumerism:
Brief shot of Santa/Norelco ad on TV; beer labels visible in bar; an NPR logo marks a character's "liberal" leanings.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
Drinking in bar, to point of passing out and forgetting the evening; references to pot-smoking.
More on The Family Stone
Review It
Most useful reviews by all members
CSM Screen ...
adult
adult
I left the movie!!!
I was very disapointed in this movie. the preview did not show what this movie was really about, which was a liberal gay agenda. The first half of them movie was conditioning for the homesexual movement. It made the two gay partners "special"!! Everyone treated them so "special" like it was a great thing. I looked at the trailer again and I was right, it didn't show one thing about the gay stuff!!!! The rest was just caotic.
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nightowl
adult
adult
lost 2 hrs of my life watching this movie
The movie itself was well acted, but it seemed as if someone was pushing an agenda with this movie. They shoved every minority issue into one relationship, and I think it detracted from the story. The minority issue could have been done so much more differently and better. Definitely won't be watching this movie again.
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CSM Screen ...
adult
adult
It was intertaining but family had no Christian values
Parts of it I have to admit were touching but I left feeling that the parents were very que sera sera with their kids and there were no bounderies set for them in life. On the other hand the interaction between all of them was very loving.
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catholicmom3
parent of 12 year old
parent of 12 year old
depressing movie with a political agenda
I hated this movie so much that it prompted me to write my first review after throwing the movie away. I agree with the others that saw a very liberal agenda being promoted by the movie.
The character of Meredith, was a good person trying very hard to be liked and get along with a family who was very mean and unwelcoming to her. The first premise the family had for disliking her was for being rather conservative in dress, uncomfortable and had a nervous habit of clearing her throat. Their dislike for her grew worse after she asked to sleep somewhere else instead of in the same bed with her boyfriend. Things turned really ugly after she voiced her opinion of not understanding the mothers comment of why she would wish for her children to be gay. The liberal bias is further made prominent by how well loved and accepted the gay couple is portrayed throughout the whole movie. It was prominent throughout the entire movie. Even in the ending scene, the family is shown with the new baby of one of the daughters and the adopted baby of the gay couple. The grandfather gleamed when he saw the adopted baby and went to hold him. The scene seemed to portray an extra specialness to the adopted baby of the gay couple. I did not find anything about this movie funny in any way. I thought the entire movie was very depressing as a whole but especially the end. There were also 3 uses of God's name in a blasphemous way. This is definitely not a movie I would want my kids to watch, nor do I think it would even be one they would enjoy.
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alishadawn33
adult
adult
liberal agenda
This movie is not about what the previews lead you to believe and on top of that, it's not a good movie. It's not developed, the love story stinks, and there is too much going on to actually enjoy the movie or the charactors. It's more liberal propoganda than a movie
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moviefanatic411
adult
adult
Good Christmas Movie
This movie was a good Christmas movie for families for kids older than 11.
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A banal holiday movie
Suffice it to say that this will not become a Christmas classic. The movie is simply not worth seeing. The story is predictable. The family does love each other but overall there's nothing memorable about it.
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lali123
teen, 15 years old
teen, 15 years old
Review
just saw this movie, absolutely amazing by the way. after reading the comments, i noticed that its much more popular with the kids and teens than the adults (who seem to hate it). i agree that not all messages in the movie are positive but it is still a fun movie to watch. the ending is predictable but i like happy endings :)
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tarakathleen310
kid, 12 years old
kid, 12 years old
Distipointed at one CSM Member, but this is a great movie!
THIS IS DIRECTED AT CSM SCREEN NAME 241008. YES, I AM A CHILD, BUT I KNOW WHAT YOU'RE SAYING IS WRONG AND HOMOPHOBIC. I SAW THIS WHOLE MOVIE FROM BEGGING TO END AND THEY TREATED THE GAY SIBLING AND HIS PARTNER LIKE EVERYONE ELSE. YES, I DO THINK BEING GAY IS FINE AND IT MATTERS REALLY ABOUT WHAT IS INSIDE YOU. ONE OF MY MOM'S BEST FRIENDS IS GAY, AND HE IS SO NICE AND COOL! SO SHUT UP ABOUT YOUR LITTLE ANTI-GAY CHATTER AND GO TALK ABOUT IT ON A HOMOPHOB WEBSITE. As for the movie, I loved it so, so much. It made me laugh, it made me cry, and it made me angry at parts. One character gets drunk and talks about getting pot but that's it for drugs. In one scene, a married couple snuggles and makes out in bed, but its tasteful, not vulgar.
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kid, 12 years old
Good family gathering movie but some unbelievable parts
A few unbelievable story lines but the overall whole story was really good. The chaotic interaction between the family members is very familiar.
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Good family gathering movie but some unbelievable parts
A few unbelievable story lines but the overall whole story was really good. The chaotic interaction between the family members is very familiar.
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kid, 11 years old
Good family gathering movie but some unbelievable parts
A few unbelievable story lines but the overall whole story was really good. The chaotic interaction between the family members is very familiar.
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MikaylaaMadisonn
teen, 16 years old
teen, 16 years old
wonderful movie!!!!!!!
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iloveharrypotter7
adult
adult
LOVED IT!!
THis was such a good movie filled with laughter and tears! I've noticed that not many adults like it though. But I think it was very well done.
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