The Family Stone
By Vikki Lusby, Blockbuster.co.uk

"Feel The Love"

The Family Stone sees Sarah Jessica Parker in one of her first roles since Sex and the City ended. Along with Dermont Mulroney ( The Wedding Date/ Must Love Dogs), Claire Danes ( Stage Beauty/ Terminator 3), Luke Wilson ( That 70’s Show/ Anchorman) and Diane Keaton ( Something’s Gotta Give) in a bittersweet tale of love lost and found during a family Christmas.

Everett (Mulroney) is bringing Meredith (SJP) his uptight city career girl girlfriend home for Christmas to meet the parents. Little does Meredith know, but the family are already making judgement of her before she arrives. Introductions are strained and Amy (Rachel McAdams) Everett's younger sister makes it her mission to ensure that Meredith is uncomfortable. The only family member who stays neutral is Ben (Wilson) Everett's younger brother. Needless to say things go from bad to worse with the Stone family and Meredith eventually ends up calling for reinforcements in form of her sister Julie (Danes) to come and stay for Christmas. Upon Julie's arrival it becomes apparent that she is the total opposite of her sister, relaxed, care free. Everett is immediately drawn to her. There is one almighty bust up during dinner that evening and Meredith is whisked away by Ben to the local bar to ... loosen up! Christmas day finally arrives with some surprises in store!

During all of this chaos you really get some touching moments of interaction with Sybil (Keaton) and her husband and the children, you also begin to realise that the family is not so perfect itself. Each of them are battling with their own insecurities and problems. Gradually they begin to realise that may have been a little too judgmental without cause. All in all this is a movie that will make you laugh and make you cry........ and make you realise that the first time you met your boyfriend's parents wasn't really that bad!

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