Everybody's Fine

(2009)

Directed by

Kirk Jones

Review by Todd Plucknett

Posted - 12/21/09

Everybody’s Fine was a highly anticipated film for me. It was for, if no other reason, my favorite actor seemingly returning to lead roles in quality films. This film is written and directed by British filmmaker Kirk Jones, who has two previous films to his credit, including the critically-acclaimed Nanny McPhee. The film is based on the 1990 Guiseppe Tornatore film of the same name, and while this film is a mild disappointment, it is worth seeing for the cast and De Niro’s Oscar-level performance.

The film tells the story of Frank Goode (2-time Oscar winner Robert De Niro), a widower who has pushed his family so hard, that he eventually pushed them away. When he planned a weekend for him and his four children to get together, he was devastated to find out that they all had cancelled at the last minute. He decides to go on a road trip to visit them instead, despite having heart problems and being urged otherwise by his doctor. He first visits his artist son David (Austin Lysy) in New York who he was unable to locate. He then goes to visit his marketing exec daughter Amy (Kate Beckinsale), eventually leaving disappointed by her imperfect family. He then goes to visit his musician son Robert (the always awesome Sam Rockwell), who he finds out lied to him about his profession. Finally, he visits Rosie (Drew Barrymore), a dancer in Las Vegas. Each one of the visits ends in disappointment.

The problem I had with this film is that it is just too typical. I have not seen the original, so I cannot judge the overall story’s novelty. The whole self-discovery road trip is something that has been run into the ground, so it has to be amazing to get good marks. An example of a similar film is Broken Flowers, the masterpiece with arguably Bill Murray’s best performance. The episodic structure is always interesting, but all of the stories need to click, as they do in Murray’s film. Everybody’s Fine just has too many Christmas comedy-drama clichés and has a pacing that wears on the patience of the audience. There are also some melodramatic moments that do not exactly work. If it was made by a more observant filmmaker, than it could have been something really special.

The film belongs to De Niro, who is receiving his first Oscar buzz since Cape Fear. He gives his most sincere, subtle, and restrained performance of his career. It is also his most vulnerable performance this side of Bang the Drum Slowly. He is simply amazing to watch. Like Murray in the aforementioned film, De Niro does not exaggerate anything. He becomes the character. With this film and last year’s What Just Happened, it is proven that De Niro has not lost it and that he can still carry a film. Sam Rockwell, Kate Beckinsale, and Drew Barrymore are all fine, but none really bring anything deeper to their roles. Another highlight performance is the limited role by Melissa Leo as a truck driver who Frank hitches a ride with at one point.

Everybody’s Fine is a harmless story with a big heart. It is emotionally satisfying for the most part, and the characters are relatable. There are several laughs to be had. It just could and should have been better. There were several moments when I knew exactly what was going to happen, and then it did. There were a couple surprises to almost offset the predictability, but not enough to recommend it. It is worth seeing if you are a De Niro nut like I am, but for anyone looking for an original take on the comedy-drama genre, sadly, you will probably have to look elsewhere.

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