Parents' Guide to The Magnificent Meyersons

Deep thoughts into the nature of human existence and what life means have the potential to be juicy and cerebral, but this talky drama is more like a mental maze dripping in drivel. Everyone has something to say, but most of the scenes are just New Yorkers walking around town, complaining to one another. No one's particularly likable or relatable, but several are making big choices: Should they enlarge their family, start their own firm, or finish school? What does it all mean, the film wonders, if anything? And does any of it really matter in the end?

While the characters are examining this massive topic, earth-shattering news sparks a worldwide existential crisis. But instead of it spurring any kind of action, the New Yorkers just go about their day, casually snarking about it, and it becomes more of a mild distraction. While substantive topics like mental health and abortion are addressed, with characters sharing their judgmental opinions, viewers are given enough information to form their own. Everything that happens -- from the cataclysmic to the mundane -- all builds to one conclusion: Life is more meaningful when you're surrounded by family.