The Family Fang

Bateman and Walken are good, and the film makes a few potent points about art and the excitement and appeal of dropping out of sight, hiding out, and starting over. Ultimately, though, it's too far-fetched and schematic, and there's not really enough material here to sustain a 90-minute movie.

With The Family Fang, Bateman's cements his directing style for the mellow, oddball, dark comedy. The premise of this film is quirky, some of the dialogue and scenes are quite funny, and the film poses interesting viewpoints on the nature of art and the necessity of out-growing your parents. It's just to bad the film isn't exciting enough to make an impact or be that memorable.

The Family Fang emerges as a comedy with disturbing undercurrents. Kidman and Bateman make a potent team in a provocative film that questions the limits of art in a world that forgets to be human. The result is funny, touching and vital.

This film had one of the most original and fun plot devices I have seen in a long time. Prankster parents fake their own deaths - genius. That sets things up for some truly wacko characters in everyday environments, and gives rise to some hilarious and surreal moments. Sadly, the rest of the script doesn't live up to the promise, and becomes a meander towards inevitable reconciliation and closure. The cast and performances are ok, but their material is clearly patchy and emotionally distant.

Whatever, dude...just whatever. I really feel I could've spent my time in ways that would've been more enjoyable than watching this film, but them's the breaks. Some days you eat the bear, and some days the bear eats you.

Somehow, I always suspected "Christopher Walken" would turn out to be performance art...

The idea kept it cool. Crazy artist daddy, groupie mommy, damaged kids and the whole concept of their art. Yet the big reveal was empty. Not at all this intelligent solution or the big punchline one was expecting after wondering for so long where they'd take this. Fine cast though, who all did fine. Just that they could have been more clever with the end which leaves one disappointed.

Actually I am surprised that I saw this movie and rated it... which implies that it must have been really forgettable. I still clearly remember that I read the book, so I think I enjoyed the book better.

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As the movie poster truthfully indicates, this flick's audience is mainely misdirected Wes Anderson groupies

Funny in a twisted dark way, entertaining.

I'd really love to see how the book compares. Bateman's direction is solid, as are the performances from all major players, & the story alone makes it worth a watch. That being said, there's a lot that didn't work for me, such as the needlessly slow first act & several scenes that should've been trimmed off. Oh, & Nicole Kidman's accent is all over the place. The ending is pretty great, though, & illustrates the main message well. It's a pretty mixed bag, but its strengths outweigh its flaws.