Customer Reviews

The Thing About My Folks

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Paul Reiser steps away from the standup comedy spotlight to write a warmly humorous and gently tender story about family - what we see and what we don't see, what we expect and what surprises us. THE THING ABOUT MY FOLKS doesn't set any new standards for film, but it is a fine little story well told that reminds us about the significant bonds that family represents.

Sam Kleinman (Peter Falk) has been a workaholic, at times pushing his wife Muriel (Olympia Dukakis), his daughters (Mackenzie Connolly and Lydia Jordan), and his son Ben (Paul Reiser) into the background. One day Muriel leaves a note that after years of marriage she is leaving! Her daughters, along with Ben's wife Rachel (Elizabeth Perkins) immediately begin the search for her whereabouts, leaving the confused and hurt and disgruntle Sam to sort things out on a road trip with son Ben. The road trip becomes a time for the two men to learn who each other is and what they each mean to their status as father and son and as family members. Sam relaxes for the first time in his life and introduces the now workaholic Ben to the pleasures and fun of living. The trip comes to an end with a phone call about the whereabouts of Muriel and why she left and the regrouping of the wiser family draws the story's warm ending. All is not what it seemed: it's better and, well, different.

Falk and Reiser play off each other like the pros they are, but in many ways the film belongs to the brief moments when Olympia Dukakis is on screen, reminding us that she is one of our strongest matriarchs on film.
Well worth viewing. Grady Harp, January 07

"The Thing About My Folks" is a pleasant, if not at all surprising, little diversion. In a bit of male wish fulfillment, a man and his father find themselves on an unlikely roadtrip--and thus have the time to learn about one another and bond in ways previously foreign to them both. This seriocomic adventure stars Paul Reiser and Peter Falk as the duo, and the piece was obviously put together as an ode to familial love. What little boy doesn't yearn to spend more time with his dad? Apparently, even into adulthood, that's not something you ever get over.

After a fairly contrived and perfunctory beginning, our guys get on the road. Their escapades are pleasingly familiar which means that we're treated to a lot of cliche'd moments. As you might expect--we get ballgames, camping, fishing, drinking, smoking, carousing with women, and any other father/son interaction you might hope for. It's all very tame, though, but there is a warm humor to be had throughout. Naturally, they grow closer and there are some sweet (and completely expected) moments.

There is nothing particularly wrong with "The Thing About My Folks"--it's just so safe and unassuming. I suspect many will be attracted to it's comfortable feeling and experience a tugging sensation on their heartstrings. It has the feel of a good Cable TV movie, and never strives to be anything other than pleasant. In that it succeeds, it's pleasant. It is good to see Falk back in a leading role, and he makes the most of it. It's a very likable performance.

People who like the "warm and fuzzies" should like this film--but if it sounds like it's not your type of film, it probably isn't. KGHarris, 11/06.

I just viewed this movie last night with my husband and we thought it was THE BEST! I feel it deals with REAL families and emotions, right down to the "farts". I didn't realize Paul Reiser was such a talented writer. He turned out a movie that didn't once make me feel that it was contrived or stilted. It was like being with the family---a family that cares and shows anger and fear and frustration and LOVE. And it shows us that we CAN grow and change AND still love and support each other.
It was one of the best 98 minutes we've had together right up to and including the tears we shared at the end. Right on, Paul Reiser! Don't let anyone convince you otherwise, this is THE REAL DEAL!!

This movie opens with a funny scene with a good monologue given by Ben (Paul Reiser) describing his father's talcum powder habit. We soon learn that Ben's mother (who is in her 70s) has left his father and has not disclosed her whereabouts to anyone.

Peter Falk plays Sam, the unfortunate husband. He has a heart of gold, although he seems to be quite difficult to deal with. What a character, though! In spite of his character flaws and thick-headedness, there is something very lovable about his personality. There are some really great scenes between Peter Falk and Paul Reiser. Some are funny - and others are touching and honest, as these two men go on a "road trip" of sorts together. These are two good men who seemingly needed this time with each other.

Ben's mother and father ultimately reunite, under unexpected circumstances, and the movie has a very sweet ending. Some of the characters in this film reminded me of members of my family, which made the viewing experience very enjoyable for me. The characters are so relatable and so honest that I believe all of us will be able to relate to it, on one level or another. The movie is funny, quirky and entertaining. I would recommend it.

"The Thing About My Folks" takes a light-hearted look at the complexities surrounding the relationships within one family. The story begins with the apparent collapse of a marriage, but then delves into an aging father and grown son getting to know each other for the first time during an extended road trip.

Paul Reiser and Peter Falk make a fine father-and-son team, bringing laughs and tears as they relive the past and talk about the future. The occasional curse or crude remark seem very natural as these two men explore their emotions together when they're unexpectedly forced to spend an excessive amount of time with each other.

"The Thing About My Folks" is a small film -- a labor of love for actor-writer-producer Reiser. As with most small films, this is a low-tech experiment in human emotions completely dependent upon the writing, acting, and directing. In this case, all three elements come together beautifully, although the excessive chatter might disappoint more action-oriented viewers.

Leslie Halpern, author of Reel Romance: The Lovers' Guide to the 100 Best Date Movies and Dreams on Film: The Cinematic Struggle Between Art and Science.

Paul Reiser's new movie is an absolute delight. It will touch your heart and your humor button. Paul's story is so close to the stories of most of the families I know. The story is so real. I appreciated the excellent acting on the part of all of the actors. The rapport between the sisters was hilarious because we have all heard similar remarks go back and forth among siblings. All in all, this is one of the best shows I've seen in a long time. The only negative comment that I have is that some of the language (about which we were warned) is not good at all. Seems like writers and producers think that they have to insert off-color words, but I wish they would understand that most families just don't talk that way. To spite the language (for which they have a PG-13 rating), I highly recommend the movie. You will enjoy the time you spend watching the film.

I loved this movie. The dynamic between Paul Reiser and Peter Falk is wonderful. They play father and son to perfection. The story is great also! We laughed and laughed in this movie. Peter Falk has some very truly great lines that he delivers hilariously funny and perfectly timed. The chemistry between Paul Reiser and Peter Falk was what drove this film from beginning to end. They gave excellent performances and you really got into their characters. There are some sad parts also but overall the movie was a great movie that made you laugh, made you sad and everything in between. I would recommend this movie. Although, I will warn parents that I would not consider this a family movie, as there is language in this film that is not appropriate for children in my opinion.

A funny, yet hart tugging movie that would be good for the whole family. The movie is very well cast with Peter Falk, Paul Reiser and Olympia Dukakis. I am very pleased that I have added this movie to my collection. I give this mopvie 3 & 1/2 stars.

The movie gets to the guts of the tension between a son and a father.

The brilliant dialogue, lovely scenery and great acting serve as an excellent way to present the onion that keeps peeling back layers.

The core issues of parenting, communication and manhood are explored indirectly.

In fun ways the curtain is pulled back, the masks slip off a little and truths are exposed.

All of this happens amidst a road trip format. The backdrop is rural New York state in the early fall just as the trees are changing colors. WOW!

We saw the movie and it was great - this was a gift and they loved it!!!