Everybody's Fine

Robert De Niro has picked some interesting projects lately. In a nutshell, this movie goes from one awkward conversation to the next. It is a slow-moving family drama. The good news however is that every character is real, believable, and there may be someone here for each of us to relate to. Oh, and nevermind that it's a huge commercial for Amtrak and Greyhound.

De Niro plays a recent widower who is totally out of touch with his kids. As one of his sons puts it "People are polite. They don't always tell the truth." He has been told pretty much what he wants to hear. When his kids don't show up for a family weekend, he goes on a cross-country trip to see them.

Kate Beckinsdale, Sam Rockwell, and Drew Barrymore play his kids. They talk to each other but not really to their Dad. Sometimes it's like that. The payoff comes an hour and 15 minutes into the story when they finally get around the table for the first time if only fictionally. Everybody's not fine. But, I believe the best way to describe the ending of this movie is - bittersweet.

Watch this movie with someone who either needs to feel better about their family situation or needs a reality check to see how much of the rest of the country lives.

Ever After: A Cinderella Story

If you have a daughter, watch this movie with her. Not only is this a great spin on the Cinderella tale, it is a fun story. Never mind Drew Barrymore's (E.T., Wedding Singe, and 50 First Dates) funky accent, she does a great job with this role. Angelica Houston (Prizzi's Honor, The Adam's Family series, and Lonesome Dove series) is perfect as usual. Dougray Scott (Mission Impossible II and Desperate Housewives series) is the ideal Prince Charming, once he learns how to behave.

The sets, costumes, and locations for this Andy Tennant (Fool's Rush In, Anna and the King, and Sweet Home Alabama) classic are worthy of several watches and should be a part of your personal collection if you have children of any age. There are plenty of familiar storybook names in here to keep their attention. Tennant does a fantastic job reeling his audience in with authentic everything. Like his other movies, this romantic comedy is truly fun to watch, multiple times.

Like most children's stories, this has a moral and it is a good one to make with young and old alike. The ending is very satisfying and well-played out. I especially recommend this movie if you have daughters. Mine loved this movie when they were young, and still do as far as I know. It is a very positive "girl power" story without being overly anti-male. Barrymore's Cinderella is smart and industrious and sticks to her principals. It are these characteristics that get her the Prince in the end, rather than magic.

This movie is certainly worth a watch again if you have not seen it in awhile. And if you have not seen it yet, please do so soon. Watch it with someone you hold dear.