The Thing About My Folks (2005)

User Rating:

6.6/10   

Director:

Raymond De Felitta

Writer (WGA):

Paul Reiser (written by)

Release Date:

20 December 2006 (Kuwait)

Genre:

Comedy

Tagline:

Sometimes the fruit falls very far from the tree.

Plot:

Ben's dad Sam shows up one night with a note from Ben's mother (Sam's wife of 46 years), that she has left...

Awards:

4 wins

Cast

Peter Falk	...	Sam Kleinman
Paul Reiser	...	Ben Kleinman
Olympia Dukakis	...	Muriel Kleinman
Elizabeth Perkins	...	Rachel Kleinman
Mackenzie Connolly	...	Lilly Kleinman
Lydia Jordan	...	Mia Kleinman
Ann Dowd	...	Linda
Claire Beckman	...	Hillary
Mimi Lieber	...	Bonnie
Bernie McInerney	...	Mr. Harrison
Catherine Taormina	...	Young Muriel Kleinman
Rachel Robinson	...	Voice of Young Muriel
Rich Duva	...	Young Sam Kleinman
Marshall Efron	...	Tow Truck Driver
Dennis Sheehan	...	Tackle Shop Owner

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for language, including some suggestive references.

Runtime:

USA:96 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Australia:M | Canada:PG (Ontario) | Finland:K-11 | USA:PG-13

Filming Locations:

Garwood, New Jersey, USA

Company:

Nuance Productions

Goofs:

Continuity: When the son and father are driving down the road, the red car behind them disappears then reappears. After a few shots the red car finally passes them.

Quotes:

[Two young girls walk by. Sam keeps staring after them, finally points at them]
Sam Kleinman: Explain that to me.
Ben Kleinman: What?
Sam Kleinman: The holes in those jeans...
Ben Kleinman: Uh-uh.
Sam Kleinman: They're on purpose?
Ben Kleinman: That's right.
Sam Kleinman: It's not because she's poor, and can only afford ripped clothes?
Ben Kleinman: That's correct, sir.
Sam Kleinman: [takes this in] And she doesn't mind that we can see her ass peeking out like that?
[...]

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: (2006-02-14)" (2006)

Mad About Them

We saw the film this evening (not my first choice) and I was very pleasantly surprised. Kudos to Paul Reiser; this is not a made for TV movie, nor is it going straight to rental. Peter Falk should get an Academy Award nomination for his wonderful performance. The scenery of upstate NY is also beautiful and fits the movie. The film covers several tracks-father- son, mother- dad, and husband- wife. The whole family relationship thing is covered. You'll laugh, you'll cry and you'll recommend it to your 40 plus friends. Not a date movie. Peter Falk needs more work; his talent has been under utilized. Bottom line, the "Thing About My Folks" is I loved it and so will you.