Better Living

Better Living is a 1998 drama-comedy directed by Max Mayer, featuring an illustrious ensemble cast, including Scott Cohen, Olympia Dukakis, and Jamie Gonzalez. This darkly comedic movie is sure to tickle, titillate, and provoke thought over its duration, leaving audiences with an experience they'll share and debate long after viewing.

The movie features a dysfunctional suburban family, the eccentric O'Donnells, living in the heart of America. This includes their matriarch, played by the Oscar-winning Olympia Dukakis, and a young, high-spirited daughter played by Jamie Gonzalez.

Dukakis shines in her role as the strong-willed mother, who is resolutely holding the family together. Her commitment to maintaining the semblance of normalcy in the chaotic universe of the O'Donnells is portrayed brilliantly, and you can't help but love her for her tenacity. Gonzalez, on the other hand, performed remarkably well in her role depicting youthful enthusiasm combined with an apparent naivety. Her portrayal is genuine and she perfectly encapsulates the spirit and struggle of a young woman caught in the web of a fraught family environment.

Scott Cohen plays Tom, the eldest and most responsible son in the family, who after serving in the army, returns to find his home far from 'normal'. In this role, Cohen expertly encapsulates the bewilderment of a man who has returned home to a world turned stylistically and emotionally upside down. He grapples with his past while trying to mend the future, torn between his sense of duty and his quest for personal happiness. Here lies the film's central tension, which Cohen masterfully carries throughout the film.

The plot gets complicated when their long-absent father randomly shows up, triggering a series of cataclysmic events. His unexpected return throws the fragile balance of the family into disarray as old wounds are unearthed and new conflicts arise.

The backdrop of the suburban surroundings provides a fascinating contrast to the events that unfold within the O'Donnell residence. This is perhaps a tongue-in-cheek comment from director Mayer on the surface-level tranquility of American suburbia, juxtaposed against the pandemonium that lies just beneath.

Despite its seemingly simple premise, Better Living is a complex tapestry of familial relationships and personal struggles. Director Max Mayer masterfully infuses humor and lightness into the narrative, even as the movie tackles some pretty outrageous storylines. The familial ties, even in disarray, are portrayed with a warmth that makes you root for the family, making the movie a dark but delightful comedy to dive into.

While Better Living is filled with hysterical laughter, courtesy of the talented cast's comic timing, it also provides poignant moments of introspection. These twin strands make the film both entertaining and thought-provoking. The director takes us along a roller-coaster journey as we navigate through the labyrinth of O'Donnell family dynamics, laugh at their absurdities, and empathize with their moments of personal struggle.

The film's real triumph though, is in its portrayal of the deep-seated love and loyalty at the heart of even the most dysfunctional families. The performances ensure that, despite the family's numerous conflicts, the audience understands the bond that unites them against the world outside their home.

Overall, Better Living presents a humorous reflection of familial struggles in American suburbia, driven by a sharp script and excellent performances from a talented ensemble cast. It is a film that brilliantly balances laughter and drama with its effective portrayal of family ties and personal frustration. Through all its absurdity and heartache, Better Living paints a portrait of a family that, despite everything, still tries to do their best.

Whether you’re a fan of Dukakis’ or Cohen's work or a lover of dark family comedies, Better Living is a remnant of late '90s indie cinema that offers plenty in terms of entertainment and food for thought. It’s a classic combination of drama and comedy that is increasingly rare in contemporary cinema but indispensable to those who appreciate the genre. The movie doesn't just promise Better Living; it delivers a 'better viewing' experience, one that will surely thrill any cinephile.