Die Familie Stone - Verloben verboten! (The Family Stone)
U.S.A. 2005

Opening 15 Dec 2005

Directed by: Thomas Bezucha
Writing credits: Thomas Bezucha
Principal actors: Claire Danes, Diane Keaton, Rachel McAdams, Dermot Mulroney, Sarah Jessica Parker

Holiday spirit becomes holiday spite when Everett Stone (Dermot Mulroney) brings his uptight girlfriend Meredith (Sarah Jessica Parker) home for the holidays. The Stone family, far from being perfect itself, does not believe she is the right girl for their beloved Everett and is instantly aligned against Meredith. The harder she tries to fit in and win their approval, the more mistakes she makes and the more she alienates herself from her possible future in-laws. To make matters worse, the Stones absolutely adore Meredith’s younger sister Julie (Claire Danes), who is summoned to the scene by Meredith for some much needed emotional support.

But Everett’s love interest isn’t the only issue the Stone family is facing on Christmas. The charismatic mother of the family, Sybil Stone (Diane Keaton), is terminally ill. In fact, every member of the family seems to be facing an issue of some sort or another. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen a film more jam-packed with sensitive topics. A "feel good" Christmas movie The Family Stone is not. The Family Stone, directed by Thomas Bezucha, is heavy and emotional. Not only are the characters within the film forced to look inward, the audience is as well, thereby stirring up much emotion throughout its entirety. And only this cast could have pulled that off. Indeed the exceptional performance of the entire cast, and of Diane Keaton in particular, is what makes this film. (Shauna Keeley)