Everybody's Fine

Synopsis

Frank Goode (Robert De Niro) has just lost his wife and it seems that the relationships he had with his kids have passed away too. After all his kids cancel their visit home at the last minute, he decides to go out and visit each of them in a series of successive stops on a long road trip. They are very much surprised at his visits, though not terribly happy to see him as they end up trying to cover up anything he would not be proud of and hurry him off to see the next sibling (sometimes not even letting him stay the night). Frank catches on and realizes something needs to change.

Entertainment Value - A

This was a nice easy-going movie, though a real tearjerker at the same time. Being a star-studded film, I didn't expect a whole lot out of this, but ClearPlay convinced me it might be worth checking out, and it was. It came out at Christmas time, but the end scene is the only thing that happens at Christmas (though the beginning might be too, it wasn't very explicit). The way the story was told was pretty cool; it wove in and out of Frank's childrens' past and present depicting them as he sees them (primarily still as kids who need direction and counsel, not necessarily as adults needing a listening ear).

Moral Value - Failure to Communicate? - 4

Great message on family relationships, particularly those between parent and child. Frank is portrayed from the start as being very interested in his family; you can see that he loves them as he prepares for their visit. As the story moves along you find out that Frank made his own reality out of what he wanted his kids to become, and that the kids didn't really see him as someone willing to listen to them. In short, everything isn't fine.

Communication is the central theme of the movie. Frank's profession of installing insulation around power lines, as well as the constant display of telephone wires and the conversations that take place over them are constantly brought up. The effects of poor communication are foreshadowed in the first part of the show when Frank doesn't listen to the Dr.'s advice to stay home but leaves on a cross-country trip anyways, which doesn't turn out to be a walk in the park.

Frank knew he didn't have the most exciting professional life and hoped and "knew" that each of his kids could be whatever they (he) wanted them to be. Because of this attitude, his kids (and wife) only told him what he was willing to listen to (never any bad news, everybody was always fine). The visit he makes to each child is very eye-opening and you learn right along side him how his link to his family is starting to fall apart. The trip turned out to be more for him than for his children, though ultimately it did bring them all together again.

We did watch this on our ClearPlay player, so there may be some strong language, but the PG-13 is also for some stronger thematic elements meant more for adults.

Shop Around the Corner, The

Rating: 5 

Not as good as You've Got Mail, in my opinion, but since it's the inspiration behind it, it's great.  It's still very impressive to see Jimmy Stewart's character change and realize the person he really fell in love with and get over his unfounded prejudices.

Stewart really had to humble himself and put aside the things he saw in Margaret Sullivan that seemed to bug him.  In marriage, I think it is important to realize what drew you into the person initially; like they say, "keep your eyes wide open during courtship [to make sure you don't overlook anything important] and half shut after marriage [being forgiving of the other persons faults]."  I think that's the message I found that moved me the most. 

Mr. Matuchek's lack of communication with his employees displayed another poignant lesson.  It is important to be open and honest in all situation before jumping to any conclusions.  You must strive to assume the best in people and try to understand as much of a situation as you can.  I imagine it could be very difficult in a situation like he found himself with in the movie, losing his trust in his wife.

Back to the love story, so many times people get misled by their emotions and fail to see (or choose not to see) the shortcomings of their sweetheart.  Sometimes more than just shortcomings are overlooked for the sense of belonging or being loved.  It's important to view the counterpart of the relationship in an everyday setting, how they react in different situations and with different types of people.  James Stewart is able to do that with Margaret Sullivan and he's willing to accept her as she is, knowing that she is capable of loving him.  And of course everything works out in the end, a bit abrupt though if I might add.  Meg Ryan's falling in love with Tom Hanks because of his genuine kindness was better displayed in You've Got Mail.  I'll have to see In the Good Ol' Summertime again to comment on that version.

Christmas Carol, A

Rating: 5

At Christmas, there is a plethora of Christmas shows, half of which are variations of Charles Dickens classic story, "A Christmas Carol." The best of these, in my opinion, is the 1984 version starring George C. Scott. The movie follows Dickens original very well and therefore, all of the good qualities in that are transferred to the movie. George C. Scott is very believable in his role as the humbug of Christmas. He discusses his situations with each of the spirits, even those who don't do much talking, with ease. His gradual understanding of the purpose of the visits is portrayed very artfully and realistically.

The story and the movie both make people feel good. The story demonstrates the belief that redemption of souls is possible. There is no foul language, violence or innuendo. It is an overall good movie.

Of the dozen spin offs of this story, only one stands out as a good variation. In "Ms. Scrooge,"
Cecily Tyson plays a black, female Ebinita Scrooge who is able to make it in business during times of racial discrimination. When she transforms after the night visitors, she keeps her rather acerbic temperament, and yet the viewers know there is a deep change of heart. Again, the best elements of the story are shown without violence, foul language or other negative items.