MOVIE REVIEW - Everybody''s Fine

It's a big, big cast lead by Superstar Robert DeNiro in the new flick, Everybody's Fine new a the box office this week. DeNiro, Kate Beckensdale, Sam Rockwell, and Drew Barrymore star in this modern day family drama.

DeNiro stars as Frank Goode. He is a recently widowed and retired electrical worker who worked his whole life so his kids could grow up and realize all their dreams. His four children are now all grown up and live in various parts of the country. A family weekend is planned, but all of his kids cancel at the last minute. Frank, determined to find out why sets out on a unannounced journey to each of their houses to find out what is going on with his kids. What will he find? That's Everybody's Fine in nutshell.

Right up front. Buyer beware! I have to say I am a bit disturbed by the misleading packaging of this movie. In the trailers, it looks like sort of a holiday, fun, mild family drama, that most of us can relate to. Well true, much of this storyline may be relatable, it is not light or fun. For me it was on the other end. Much heavier, and darker than I think is promised. It's the story of a bunch of dishonest grown children that think dad is some kind of moron, and they go to great lengths to lie, and overall just treat dear old dad horrible when he comes to visit.

Each child he tracks down, tosses him out in lies and deceit...and merrily sends him on his way after he travels thousands of miles to see them. Dad gets the boot, he gets mugged, he gets his lifesaving medicine destroyed and he's just flat out treated horrible by his kids. They are hiding family. and personal secrets from him, and think they are getting away with it. Their not! Ovcr all, it's the story of a 65 year old man, who learns he has a tremendous gap between himself and the younger generation he reared and now has to deal with.

This may be a story worth telling I guess. But in this movie, it doesn't work. Most will be stunned at the lack of any real levity or humor this movie pretends to have. It is not a feel good movie at all. And that's OK. But don't tell me that it's one thing, and then give me another.

Deniro is fine here. It's a big role and new ground for him as an actor. The supporting cast is strong, but misused here. A somber soundtrack, and over used technique on many levels, lead to a very boring and very morose story that's hard to watch at holiday time. This story may read better in book form than be told in movie form.

Everybody's Fine. Truth is NO body's fine here. Misleading, over all sad here with no real reason to be made. You may find this movie fine, and that's fine. But not at all what they said it would be.