Product: Everybody's Fine (2009)
Rating: 4.0
Low-Key Drama With a Heart
Fans of "making toast" movies -- those that follow quiet characters during slow-moving day-to-day slices of life -- or characters study films should find quite a bit to like in Everybody's Fine.On the flip side, this melancholy movie will likely not appeal to those who like power-packed action films.The basic story is of hard-working Frank (DeNiro) who has sacrificed his life, and even his lungs, to ensure that his children can have the best of what life has to offer. After his wife dies he cross-country drops in on his kids after they blow off a family get together. Each of their lives are in various degrees of turmoil but they all put on a glossy face to please their dad. A crisis brings out honesty and a chance for relationships to be reshaped.I especially like the telephone theme that played throughout the movie. And Frank's flashback/fantasy/dream sequences where he has grown-up conversation with his small children.I won't likely be adding it to my permanent library but it's worth a Netflix or Red Box Rental if you like slow films. Language-wise it's pretty low-key, I think just one scene including an F-Bomb. And though it's melancholy there are touching, hopeful moments.