The Perfect Family

The Perfect Family is a 2011 movie with an edgy blend of contemporary issues and dramatic nuances starring Kathleen Turner, Emily Deschanel, and Jason Ritter. The movie, directed by Anne Renton and written by Paula Goldberg and Claire V. Riley, skillfully brings together complex narrative threads enriched by complex yet relatable characters, engaging plot twists, and powerful performances.

The Perfect Family features Kathleen Turner in the role of a devout Catholic woman named Eileen Cleary. The movie portrays her as an extremely religious person who attends mass regularly, makes countless sacrifices for the church, and even volunteers for various service activities. She is, in essence, the epitome of a devout Catholic woman who projects an image of morality, ethics, and principle – a perfect follower of the church in every sense.

The crux of the storyline revolves around Eileen’s nomination for the Catholic Woman of the Year Award at her local parish - one of the highest honors bestowed on devoted women in her community. There's only one hitch in this seemingly perfect scenario: the award comes with a condition - her family needs to embody the perfect Catholic family image. Here, Eileen’s life takes a sudden turn, unraveling her well-couched secrets and introducing the audience to her "imperfect" family.

Emily Deschanel plays the role of Eileen’s daughter, Shannon. A successful, smart, and independent woman, Shannon presents an intriguing contrast to her mother’s deeply conservative values. Things take a turn when Shannon reveals that she is a lesbian and is expecting a child with her partner.

The portrayal of Eileen’s son, Frank Jr., (Jason Ritter) further complicates Eileen’s quest for the perfect Catholic family image. Frank Jr. is a lawyer, who is estranged from his wife and children after an affair, and is trying to figure out how to reunite his family.

As the movie unfolds, the differences between Eileen’s religious expectations and the reality of her family life come into sharp focus, bringing to light themes of acceptance, love, and the true meaning of family. While trying to shape her family into an ideal Catholic family image, she must grapple with her own beliefs and confront the reality of her family’s individual lives.

Furthermore, Richard Chamberlain stars as Monsignor Murphy, Eileen’s priest, who is a source of spiritual guidance to her. Michael McGrady also plays the role of Eileen’s husband, a role that further adds to the dynamic dilemma she faces.

The Perfect Family is a story that dwells in an emotional and realistically anchored territory - one that provides audiences with a clear portrayal of contemporary dilemmas between religious beliefs and societal realities. Kathleen Turner, well-known for her dynamic acting skills, brings depth and gravitas to her character that imbues the movie with a powerful realism.

The film also stands apart for its attention to details, acute representation of familial relationships, and notable performances, specifically by Emily Deschanel, known for her role in Bones, and Jason Ritter. They present compelling performances as Eileen’s children, expanding upon the dynamic conveyed by a script that explores depth in even the most seemingly straightforward characters.

In essence, The Perfect Family takes audiences on a turbulent emotional journey, making them question the traditional definitions of "perfect" and "family." The movie is infused with humor, depth, and conflict, engaging its viewers both emotionally and intellectually.

The Perfect Family is one of those unique films that skillfully blends comedy with drama while dealing with complex societal and personal issues. It's a poignant story about acceptance, love, and understanding, deftly portraying the reality that true "perfection" lies in accepting each person as they are - and that families are often more about love and less about being "perfect." A must-watch for anyone who appreciates storyline depth and superb performances.