It Runs in the Family

It Runs in the Family from 2003 is a feel-good drama-comedy film that beams familial fidelity as its dramatic core. This movie showcases a dynamic ensemble that includes two of Hollywood's most celebrated actors, Kirk Douglas and his son Michael Douglas, playing the father and son on-screen. This movie, directed by Fred Schepisi, is rather unique, as it positions the real-life father-son duo in a tale that reminisces about their actual family history, making the film appealing as a facet of Douglas clan biography.

The story revolves around an affluent New York dynasty, the Grombergs. Michael Douglas is Alex Gromberg, a hard-working, American attorney juggling between the pressures of his business and the demands from others of his aging father, Mitchell Gromberg, played by Kirk Douglas. These tensions are balanced by lighter, acutely humorous moments, which makes it work as both a drama and a comedy.

Kirk Douglas, despite his advancing years, is still a dominating presence. His portrayal of the patriarch Mitchell Gromberg is incredibly believable as a retired man struggling to make his values and ethos resonant in the lives of his sons and grandsons. Mitchell projects a battling spirit coupled with an undercurrent of vulnerability due to his age and health condition.

Michael Douglas, on the other hand, showcases his histrionic prowess playing Alex, a complicated and flawed but caring family man, striving to keep the familial bonds intact while wrestling with his own midlife crisis and a slew of mounting issues. The film goes to great lengths to showcase Alex's life, not only at his workplace but also through his relationships with his wife, father, and most importantly, his two sons.

Bernadette Peters, another major player in the film, assumes the role of Rebecca Gromberg, Alex's devoted but not entirely satisfied wife. She shines through the role smoothly, adding an exciting layer and emotional credibility to the storyline. Peters’s character is not only the breadwinner of her family but also the emotional buoy for her husband throughout his trials and tribulations, encompassing the subtle strength of womanhood.

The film's charm also rests on the shoulders of the two younger Douglas clan members. Cameron Douglas in his feature film debut and Rory Culkin deliver compelling performances as the teenage Gromberg sons grappling with their coming-of-age tales against the backdrop of their tumultuous family life. Their struggles further disclose the dynamics of the Gromberg family, giving additional depth to the family portrait.

The plot might seem like a simple family drama, but it is the complex symphony of love, laughter, remorse, and reconciliation weaved through the narrative, which makes this movie so engrossing. Themes like aging, infidelity, midlife crisis, and generational differences are handled exceptionally well, with the rise and ebb of emotions in the human relationships being very realistic and compelling.

The film's setting in cosmopolitan New York not only adds an intriguing backdrop but also serves as a metaphor for changing times and values. The metropolitan hustle-bustle is a character in itself, affecting the Gromberg family dynamics. The cinematography brilliantly captures this essence, making the cityscape as important a player as the actors themselves.

It Runs in the Family presents a multi-generational narrative, drawing humor out of the complexities of family relationships. This movie elevates itself from being mere family drama to a heart-touching spectacle of love, discord, forgiveness, and generational bonds, with stellar performances and an incredibly layered and nuanced storyline. A must-watch for those who appreciate a wholesome, life-affirming tale of a family's journey through challenging times, each looking within themselves and to each other for courage and self-discovery. The unique treat of this film is to witness the real-life Douglas family playing versions of themselves, providing an element of authenticity to an otherwise fictional narrative.