Movie Review: The Family

Joelene Pynnonen reviews The Family.

The Manzoni family is moving. Having compromised their cover in the witness protection program yet again, they’re running out of second chances. This time they’re headed to a small town in the French countryside for the fresh start that they need but don’t necessarily want. Despite having betrayed the Mafia kingpin they once called a friend, the Manzoni’s can’t let go of their previous life.

Giovanni (Robert De Niro) initially takes up writing as a way to relive his glory days, but soon gets caught up in trying to sort out the town’s problem with brown water. His daughter, Belle (Dianna Agron), spends her time brutally beating the people who cross her and trying to seduce the substitute math teacher. His son, Warren (John D’Leo), introduces the principles of mob life to the school; launching a coup against the kids in charge whilst lying, stealing and defrauding his way to the top. The family matriarch, Maggie (Michelle Pfeiffer), spends her time covering up her husband’s crimes when she’s not too busy blowing up local grocery stores.

If you’re in the mood for something serious, Luc Besson’s The Family is definitely not it. If you’re trying to find an offbeat comedy to watch with a group of friends however, don’t go past this one. I’m not someone who follows directors, but Luc Besson has not failed me yet. There’s something about the way he mixes humour into the violence in The Family that makes it surprisingly fun to watch.

Now, I’m not pro-violence, but every character in the film manages to pull off their own brand of destruction, which is what sells it. The actors are thoroughly in tune with their characters and whole-heartedly embrace all of their criminal tendencies. Belle takes after her father, delivering swift and brutal punishment to those who oppose her. Warren is more like his mother, analysing the situation and choosing indirect means to achieve his goals. If the family members were all brutal in the same way it would become farcical. Personalizing those traits lends plausibility.

Despite the film’s casual brutality, the Manzoni family are devoted when it comes to each other. Belle and Warren take time out of their day to catch up on what their sibling is up to. Giovanni helps Maggie out when she’s not making progress with an uncooperative plumber, while Maggie keeps the authorities from finding out about said help. The disparity of the family together to the family in society is both disturbing and hilarious.

Overtly and gleefully violent, this isn’t a film for younger viewers. The actors’ performances are focussed and wonderful across the board. Generally it’s a silly, fun and messy film; but the character interactions and cheerfulness of it make it work.