Family Squares

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Family Squares
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Family Squares is a pandemic-set ensemble comedy that takes place almost entirely over Zoom. The impetus for the characters' online gathering is to be "with" family matriarch Mabel (June Squibb) on her death bed. While the film recognizes grief -- particularly in the case of a teen struggling with losing her grandmother just a year after her mother's death -- it doesn't explore it deeply. Instead, it focuses on the family secrets exposed in Mabel's pre-taped goodbye messages. Family members bicker, tease, and take digs at each other, but what Mabel, and thus the filmmaker, wants audiences to take away is that we need to appreciate our family members, even if they get under our skin. Strong language includes "s--t" "and "f--k," a teen vapes marijuana, and an adult drinks wine. There are references to additional drinking, as well as to sex and a teen's use of pornography. Parents of foster or adopted children may want to preview this before sharing, as there's some potentially upsetting content.
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What's the Story?
In FAMILY SQUARES, while quarantining/on lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Worth family gathers over Zoom to be "present" with Grandma Mabel (June Squibb) as she passes. In return, Mabel leaves them a "present" of her own, a series of video messages that offer clues to help unravel all the family's secrets once and for all.
Is It Any Good?
The emotional hardship of being far from home during a crisis has never been more relatable, but viewers may need more distance from quarantine life to really appreciate this pandemic dramedy. Writer-director Stephanie Laing likely anticipated that by the time her dysfunctional family film came out, COVID-19 would be in the rearview mirror and we could look back and laugh. But at the time of release, virtual meetings are still the norm, so the floating-heads-in-computer-squares format is somewhat difficult to enjoy.
Still, Laing's effort is a time capsule representing what life was like for many in 2020–21, discomfort and all. It recognizes the chaos of online school, the appeal of RV escapism, garages converted into home offices, the anxiety of isolated teens, the loneliness of singles, and the too-much-togetherness of couples. Most present, though, is the difficulty that so many people faced of having a family member fall ill or even die and not being able to be there to say goodbye. Much like a Zoom meeting, your interest in Family Squares may wane the longer it goes on, but Laing and her cast of top-notch actors (including Judy Greer, Ann Dowd, Margo Martindale, Henry Winkler, and many more) remind us that while family connections are sometimes spotty, they strengthen when you get closer to the source.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the emotional impact and consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic -- both on them and others. What do you think the long-term effects will be for kids?
How is marijuana use and vaping depicted? Parents, share your views on pot use with your teens.
How can secrets create wedges in relationships? How do things change once the secrets are in the open? Why is communication an important life skill?
Two of the characters act with integrity but also don't tell the truth. Are you a person of integrity if you do the right thing but aren't fully honest?
Movie Details
- In theaters: February 25, 2022
- On DVD or streaming: April 5, 2022
- Cast: Judy Greer, Casey Wilson, Billy Magnussen, Ann Dowd, Margo Martindale, June Squibb, Elsie Fisher
- Director: Stephanie Laing
- Studio: Screen Media
- Genre: Comedy
- Topics: Brothers and Sisters
- Character Strengths: Communication
- Run time: 99 minutes
- MPAA rating: R
- MPAA explanation: language
- Last updated: April 6, 2022
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