The St. Louis Film Festival showed another hit. Robert DeNiro gives one of his most charming and wonderful performances of the last few years and thus should be considered come Oscar time. His story is simple in that he wants to visit his adult kids since they all could not make a weekend trip which would be the first time they met up since Frank's (DeNiro) wife passed away. The thing is however that Frank does not know what the true reason is of why the kids did not show. The film displays the true meaning of family and what should be said and what should be kept secret. The symbolism of the telephone wires in the film as well works perfect. Barrymore, Beckinsale, and Rockwell give wonderful performances as well. One of the year's best. ***1/2

What is The L Word's Kate Moennig's role in this? She plays a character named Jilly.

I don't want to give too much away from the film but she plays a role in Drew Barrymore's part of the film.

Spoil it for me, I don't mind . Does she play a lesbian?

I enjoyed this film, despite a far-fetched and frustrating central premise.

Robert De Niro delivers a superb performance. He lets go of the acting tics which made him a legend in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s (and which he spent this decade exploiting and lampooning, to a great deal of derision) and plays this role, a blue-collar widower, with simplistic elegance. Explosive moments are few and far between, but De Niro nails every small nuance. He gives every sideways glance and quiet sigh depth and emotional weight. This is masterful acting and, inevitable third foray with Ben Stiller excepted, I hope to see more of this De Niro in the future.

Though this is 100% De Niro's film, the supporting cast is also solid and lend able support to the legendary star. See this film for the acting, without a doubt.

The only genuine complaint I have with this film lies in the central premise: De Niro's character was the parent who pushed his children to do better and achieve more, his late wife was the compassionate, "friendly" one they confided in. This has resulted in four adults who hide bad news and failures from their father, instead presenting him elaborately woven webs of deceit--one doesn't tell him she has separated from husband (she brings the unfaithful gent over for dinner with dad and they both wear false smiles, he's fooled!). This premise is fine in and of itself and I'm sure many people, myself included, will relate to a certain extent, but these characters go beyond the realm of white liars--they're dangerous pathological liars! There comes a point where you have to just tell the truth. A sibling with a drug habit going missing in Mexico is such a time and it's hard to swallow these otherwise intelligent characters wouldn't realize as much. I didn't buy they would let the lie go so far, no matter how afraid they are to disappoint their father.

Despite the forced, artificial nature of the plot, this is still a very good film. As I said previously, the acting is of the highest order and the third act had me tearing up. Oh, and the new song by Paul McCartney (which plays over the end credits) is super.

B

EVERYBODY'S FINE - 7/10 ( B )

A very good movie, but WTF was up with the scene at the picnic table? I hated that part. It felt very out of place and should have been cut from the movie.

I think it was mostly to show that DeNiro still imagines his kids as little and has to realize that they have all grown up and live their own lives, even if that means they'll keep things from him.

But that was obvious when he saw them as kids a million other times throughout the movie .

I really loved this. It was a nice family film.

8/10 (B+)

Everybody's Fine

I liked this. Firstly, I love De Niro. And especially in this type of role in his later years. Also I'm just a sucker for this type of simple family drama. It does a great job of creating that sense of family, too. Not at any stage did I think it was not a real family. Great performances all around from a great cast in Sam Rockwell, Kate Beckinsale, and Drew Barrymore. It is a little slow in parts, but I enjoyed each progression of the main story. It also touches on a streak in all families, that you want to present the best side of yourself to your parents. Make them think you're a success, happy, got your head screwed on etc. That resonated with me from what I see in my own family.

B