NORMAN — “Everybody’s Fine” is a drama about the Goode family. Since the passing of his wife eight months ago, Frank has lost touch with his four grown children. For the first time since his wife’s death, he plans a family gathering at his house, only to discover that all of his kids cancelled at the last minute. So, in an effort to stay in touch with his kids, he travels by train and bus all over the country to surprise them, one at a time. His visits are short-lived and unappreciated, however, and he starts to realize that his kids have been lying to him about their lives for some time.
Before you start to think that all of his children are ungrateful and selfish, the reason they were all anxious to get their dad out of their houses was that one of the brothers was in some serious trouble in Mexico that they were trying to straighten out without telling their dad. Plus, Frank was keeping a secret of his own: He was traveling against his doctor’s orders to stay home and enjoy retirement in his garden.
The intrigue of the troubled brother, mixed with Frank’s attempt to straighten out the lies told by the rest of the Goode children really made this story interesting.
In addition, the filmmakers used an intriguing combination of flashback and imagination, so Frank could have conversations with his children as he remembered them when they were young, while talking to them as adults. This helped him figure out that there was something wrong with one of his kids, and figure out the reasons behind the lies from the rest of his kids.
Starring Robert DeNiro as Frank, this film caught my attention immediately. However, I will say that, based on the previews that I saw, I was expecting a different kind of film. It was just a bit more dramatic and less comedic than I remember it being presented in previews. There is a moment or two in the film that will definitely pull at your heartstrings.
Other cast members include Drew Barrymore, Kate Beckinsale and Sam Rockwell as Frank’s children.
One thing I loved about the performances in this film was that, even though all of the kids led very different lives with different personalities, you could see the influence of their father in each of them.
Special features on the DVD include a slew of deleted or extended scenes and “The Making Of Paul McCartney’s ‘(I Want To) Come Home.’” The latter is a mix of behind the scenes footage and interviews with McCartney and others on how he came to be attached to the film, as well as his process for creating the song for the film.
To find out what happened to the missing Goode son, and to see if the family ever comes together again, you’ll have to watch “Everybody’s Fine” on DVD. You can find it in your local store’s new releases section.
Please send your comments, questions and DVD recommendations to Kelsey at DVDsOnParade@hotmail.com.
