Critic's Grade: C-

Frank's film tip: It's a "relative" letdown in the Douglas domestic dramedy IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY

Whatever it is that runs in this particular family, can we please find a cure for it and fast? It's a well-known fact that the Douglas clan, particularly legendary movie icon Kirk and his Oscar-winning actor/producer son Michael, have been waiting to do a film project together for many years now. The golden question remains: why would the collective creative juices of this notable Hollywood acting dynasty partake in such an uneventful and woeful dysfunctional family drama? In the dilapidated domestic comedy It Runs in the Family, the Douglases finally realize their cinematic dream of appearing on screen together. However, it's too bad that the celebration of their big screen union happens to be highlighted by this misguided multigenerational mishmash of a familial farce.

If one is to derive anything from It Runs in the Family, many will probably appreciate the gimmick of this vehicle in accomplishing a couple of things. First, the notion of strutting out the indomitable spirit of revered patriarch Kirk Douglas for what could be his last hurrah at cinematic glory (translation: one of his last legitimate shots at Oscar gold a la Henry Fonda's memorable turn as an old codger trying to reconcile with his offspring in his Academy Award-winning role in On Golden Pond). If Kirk couldn't breakthrough with the sympathy nod for the anemic 2000 crime caper Diamonds that paired him with another Tinsel Town institution in the form of Lauren Bacall then there's little hope that this quirky but relentlessly uneven family dramedy will do the trick. Secondly, the thought of checking out three generations of the real-life Douglases portraying the fictional Douglases (well, the Grombergs in this instance) is somewhat intriguing. When all is said and done, It Runs in the Family never escapes the made-for-cable-TV element and it's too lightweight and inconsequential to pose as the stinging angst-ridden portrait of domestic indifference it tries in vain to be.

Mitchell Gromberg (Kirk Douglas) is the Jewish iron-fisted head of household whose combative nature and flippant mouth is strangely endearing in some instances. Poor Mitchell is recuperating from a recent stroke. In the meantime, his tolerant wife (played by Kirk's ex-wife and Michael's mother Diana Douglas) has to endure the insufferable antics of her cantankerous and pesky spouse.

Mitchell has some unresolved and complicated issues with his hotshot but bored corporate lawyer son Alex (Michael Douglas) who happens to do a decent amount of charity work on the side--probably out of some unidentified guilt mostly. Alex happens to toil away at the law firm that his daddy Mitchell founded. For some odd reason, Alex finds refuge in hiding out at the workplace and finds it quite difficult to cope with the unfinished business at home. In addition to Mitchell's ongoing put downs and other barbs aimed his way, Alex is trying to hold onto the fragile grip that is wasting away in his own family that he sheepishly presides over. He has a supportive wife (played Bernadette Peters--what? Did current real-life wife Catherine Zeta-Jones or former spouse Diedre Douglas decide to sit this one out?) that he's dangerously growing distant from. Alex's sons Asher (real-life Douglas offspring Cameron) and Eli (Rory Culkin) are suffering from their self-imposed alienation within this checkered family unit. Cameron is the stoned college-aged underachiever while Eli smothers himself in an isolated psychological prison.

The Grombergs are an interesting group in that the only good appearances that they can muster up are in the form of family gatherings captured in portraits and other snapshots. Otherwise, the apparent emotional distance that is clearly felt registers ominously whenever the group is in earshot of one another. Whether it is Mitchell browbeating Alex at a family holiday function or Alex trying to deal with his own shaky relationship in handling his disillusioned brood, the message is spelled out that the communication factor between the Gromberg males are strained and tainted at best.

As a filmmaker, Schepisi has some well-meaning intentions as he attempts to tap into that old adage involving the reluctance of some fenced-in men to freely express themselves and show the loving feeling for one another despite the hidden pain to do so. And nothing can be so true in the public arena where the Douglas dirty laundry has been aired so casually (Kirk's antiquated child-rearing disciplinarian tactics, Michael's previous adulterous whims, workaholic patterns and neglectful paternal indifference and Cameron's realistic drug-related woes and lack of identity, etc.). Ironically, the super-sized dysfunctional dynamics that's played for entertaining purposes on the screen never quite matches the off-kilter poignancy and urgency of the off-camera trauma that invaded the Douglas' mindset. This is essentially art imitating life. If the Douglases were eager to use the blueprint of their roller coaster livelihoods then they should have been more forthcoming and honest with the lopsided material beyond the constant showy bickering that methodically takes place.

If anything, it's admirable that Kirk Douglas is willing to press on with the enthusiasm of wanting to act despite the debilitating stroke condition that the world knew he suffered several years ago. No doubt that this man is a natural ham and he tries his best to instill some vigor into the role of the crusty Mitchell Gromberg. But sadly, there's just so many cutesy ways that one can stretch the exaggerated cliched profile of a disabled cranky Jewish curmudgeon and make it stick as an enterprising conception.

It Runs in the Family is a smorgasbord of convoluted family strife that tries furiously to juggle an assembly of seesaw revelations that tiptoe in the bittersweet world of a complicated clan known as the Grombergs and more so, the Douglases. The banter isn't as sentimental or high-spirited as originally intended. It's too bad that the talented Douglases had to make this syrupy saga an artistic family affair to remember--or in this case one to quickly forget.

Frank rates this film: ** stars (out of 4 stars)

All Reviews by Frank Ochieng [Home page]
If you are the author of this review, you may edit it by signing in.