Friday Film Fun: Favorite films about dysfunctional families

The first two that come to mind are Parenthood with Steve Martin. I loved that movie. And then - don't laugh - Irreconcilable Differences with Drew Barrymore way back when. I really liked that movie in high school! ... stop laughing.

Caroline

http://morningsidemom.wordpress.com/

It takes one to know one   ;)

How 'bout Juno?  

Ewww and the MOST dysfunctional film I've ever seen (I don't know of this subject thank god)

Savage Grace w/Julianne Moore.

The ultimate dysfunctional WASP family -- shows that money doesn't buy happiness but only more repression.

I was going to mention 'Little Miss Sunshine' but for some reason thought this thread had to do with older films. Anyhow, 'Little Miss Sunshine' is great! I saw it twice :-)
My favorite scene?

"Linda!"

-Bob
bobafifi.com ( http://www.bobafifi.com )

fluteplayer.net ( http://www.fluteplayer.net )

Still in the theaters too! Little Miss Sunshine is my favorite movie of the year.

The Blog: Red Nose ( http://bozoette.typepad.com )
The Book: Girl Clown ( http://www.lulu.com/content/45470 )

Throw Momma from the Train ( http://www.amazon.com/Throw-Momma-Train-Billy-Crys... ) (mother/son)
Orphans ( http://www.amazon.com/Orphans-Movie-Alan-J-Pakula/... ) (brother/brother)

-Bob
bobafifi.com ( http://www.bobafifi.com )

fluteplayer.net ( http://www.fluteplayer.net )

Oh AND The Squid and the Whale. That movie made me want to fold up inside myself from all the dysfunction.

Stefania Pomponi Butler
Contributing Editor, Arts & Entertainment, BlogHer

I blog:
CityMama ( http://citymama.typepad.com )
Kimchi Mamas ( http://kimchimamas.typepad.com )
Family F ( http://citymama.typepad.com/cityfood )

Ordinary People is the first to come to mind.

Rebel Without a Cause is famous for its then-shocking portrayal of a totally dysfunctional family.

But if you want to look at some real classics, how about:

The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit, starring Gregory Peck. This one is pretty amazing.

Hail to the Chief, starring Katharine Hepburn, Spencer Tracy
and Angela Lansbury bring some pretty barbed family dysfunction along with some political satire that resonates even today, imho.

The Best Years of Our Lives offers some post-war dysfunction. (Oh joy!)

Would The Godfather count? Lots of dysfunction there.

Laura Scott
design ( http://www.pingv.com ), snap ( http://scatteredsunshine.com ), blog ( http://www.rarepattern.com ) ... admin ( http://www.blogher.com/website-feedback )

I feel like the list MUST include Ordinary People, even though that one isn't exactly uplifting.

How about Harold and Maude? Or What's Eating Gilbert Grape? Or Mermaids?

--
Mir from WCS
(BlogHer Mommy & Family contributing editor)

Personal: Woulda Coulda Shoulda ( http://wouldashoulda.com/ )

Having it all with less: Want Not ( http://wantnot.net/ )

I wonder if they will be able to capture the true dysfunctionality.

In any case, I can't WAIT to see it.

Stefania Pomponi Butler
Contributing Editor, Arts & Entertainment, BlogHer

I blog:
CityMama ( http://citymama.typepad.com )
Kimchi Mamas ( http://kimchimamas.typepad.com )
Family F ( http://citymama.typepad.com/cityfood )

Running With Scissors is being made, or has already been made into a film.

In the comedy category, any of Chevy Chase's "Vacation" series of movies...

On a more serious note, Kramer vs. Kramer comes to mind.

It isn't higbrow, but I always enjoy "The Ref". With Denis Leary and Kevin Spacey. It makes me laugh every time.

BlogHer Contributing Editor, Sports and Fitness ( http://www.blogher.com/topic/sports-fitness )
Sarah and the Goon Squad ( http://sarahandthegoonsquad.com/ )
Draft Day Suit ( http://ronmexicosblog.blogspot.com/ )