The Bennetts (film)

***The Bennetts*** is a 2000 American drama film written and directed by Richard Linklater. The film was set over the course of forty-five years, beginning in 1955 with the birth of Bryan Bennett, and following all the way to 2000, at the wedding of Bryan's son Ian. It was also notable for its technique of using the same actors through various states of aging using makeup and editing, with Naomi Watts portraying Myra Bennett from ages 19 to 64. Alongside Watts, the film starred Russell Crowe, Paul Rudd, Billy Burke, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Timothy Hutton. *The Bennetts* was released on November 22, 2000 and grossed $205 million on a $40 million budget and received critical acclaim from critics, winning several awards, including the Best Actress for Watts, Best Supporting Actor for Burke, and Best Original Screenplay at the 73rd Academy Awards. The film was later adapted for television by Jason Katims in 2015 on NBC.

## Plot

In 1955, nineteen-year-old Myra Bennett gives birth to Bryan, her son. Surrounded by her family, the birth father is missing from the picture and it is revealed he is in jail. Three years later, Myra is raising Bryan with help from her family. Her parents, Bob and Wilma, support her financially. Bryan's father Ricky Sanders is released from prison and begs to be in Bryan's life. After reconciling with Myra, they get married, much to Bob and Wilma's dissapointment. In 1961, Bonnie gives birth to their second son, Greg. Ricky does not show up for his birth, leaving Myra's family to help her out again. Throughout the 1960s, Ricky comes and goes, puttinf the family through much drama. Bryan acts as a father figure to Greg, who still gets into mischief due to having Ricky as an influence. Myra tries to date other people but no one is interested.

In 1969, Bryan begins high school and starts acting out at the family. Over his high school years, he makes several bad friends and gets several bad girlfriends. Myra and Ricky argue everytime he comes around, especially when he begins roping Greg into his schemes. Bryan graduates and when Ricky is caught drunk driving with Greg in the car, ruining Bryan's day, the latter confronts Ricky and beats him, before vowing to never see him again. Myra contemplates moving to Los Angeles, but ultimately decides to stay in Illinois, as does Bryan, who turns down an offer from Carnegie Mellon. Bryan continues to pull Greg out of bad situations, but stays clear of Ricky.

In 1977, Bryan meets Kate while visiting Portland. The two hit it off and keep a long distance relationship, before getting engaged. Myra and Greg visit them as well and Myra meets Dave Johnson, but they lose touch quickly. The following year, Bryan and Kate prepare to get married, when they learn that Ricky has died. Bryan breaks down and Myra consoles him. Another year passes and Greg reveals he has enlisted in the army and leaves the family, just as Kate learns she is pregnant, whom they name Spencer, after Kate's grandfather. In 1981, Bonnie reunites with Dave and decides to move there to be with him. Bryan and a pregnant Kate decide to move there with Spencer, and Greg decides to reenlist there to be close to them. In 1985, Bryan and Kate now have three kids, Spencer, Jake, and Shawn, while Greg and his wife Ashley are about to have their first child, Aubrey. Myra and Dave have married as well.

In 1986, Greg leaves Ashley for undisclosed reasons, forcing the family to support Ashley and Aubrey. Bryan and Myra are disappointed in Greg for being like Ricky, but he doesn't see it. Greg hardly sees the family, and only sees Aubrey once every year. Kate has another child, a daughter named Olivia, in 1989. In 1992, Greg returns formally, this time with a fiancée name Carey. Throughout the 1990s, Ashley distances herself from the family, while Bryan and Kate have a somewhat troubled marriage. Dave and Myra both retire as Bob dies. Greg and Carey seem like the perfect couple, but have tension brewing inside. In 1999, Greg and Carey reveal they are getting divorced, shocking the family. Spencer reveals he has gotten engaged, and Bryan tries to discourage him, leading to a big blowout between the two, and cutting off communciation. Myra struggles to console both her sons.

In 2000, Spencer prepares for his marriage as the entire family gathers. Bryan shows up despite not being invited and apologizes to Spencer, paralleling the relationship between Bryan and Ricky. Greg and Ashley finally come to good terms, as she opens up to the family. As Spencer gets married, the entire family is there happily.

## Cast

* Naomi Watts as Myra Bennett
* Russell Crowe as Bryan Bennett
	+ Jason Dolley as child Bryan Bennett
	+ Hayden Christensen as teenage Bryan Bennett
* Paul Rudd as Greg Bennett
	+ Angus T. Jones as child Greg Bennett
	+ Sebastian Stan as teenage Greg Bennett
* Billy Burke as Ricky Sander
* Catherine Zeta-Jones as Kate Bennett
* Timothy Hutton as Dave Johnson
* Gabrielle Anwar as Ashley Bennett
* Amy Adams as Carey Bennett
* Jake Gyllenhaal as Spencer Bennett
	+ child Spencer Bennett
* Joseph Mazzello as Jake Bennett
	+ child Jake Bennett
* Aaron Himmelstein as Shawn Bennett
	+ child Shawn Bennett
* Mae Whitman as Olivia Bennett
* Scarlett Johansson as Aubrey Bennett
	+ child Aubrey Bennett
* Meryl Streep as Wilma Bennett
* Steve Martin as Bob Bennett