“The Family” Review
By Maria NeCastro of girlwiththemovieblog.blogspot.com
The Manzoni family is like a lot of American families — a strong father, loving mother, two kids, and a loyal dog — but there is something that sets them apart from everyone around them. Giovanni Manzoni, played by Robert De Niro, is a former mob boss who became an informant to the F.B.I. and now lives under the close watch of the witness protection program.
The film, based on the novel “Malavita” by French author, Tonino Benacquista, begins with the Manzoni family moving to Normandy, France and becoming the Blake family. In their new surroundings, the Blakes attempt to assimilate, but when they don’t get what they want, they hilariously seek revenge. A perfect example of this is when Michelle Pfeiffer as Maggie Blake, wife to De Niro’s character, sets a local grocery store on fire after less than satisfactory customer service.
The family dynamic is perfect with “Glee’s” Dianna Agron as the charming and fearless 17-year-old daughter, Belle, and John D’Leo as the brilliant and manipulative 14-year-old son, Warren. The casting of the Manzoni/Blake children is spectacular, as both young actors proved their ability to portray characters that had been brought up in a mafia family.
Though it may seem a bit unbelievable for the now 70-year-old De Niro to be playing the father of teenagers, but his portrayal as the head of the Manzoni/Blake family proved to be the best possible casting for the role. Along those lines, Tommy Lee Jones, 67, portrayed a surly F.B.I. agent on the Manzoni case in a way that is unmatchable by the up-and-coming stars of Hollywood.
This movie is billed as being action, comedy, and crime, but it might be easier to call it a “dramedy” spiced-up with some well-integrated violence. Either way, what makes this film worth watching happens to be the way the family behaves in the time warp-esque town in Normandy.
Despite the fact that some smaller storylines in the Sept. 13 release are left unfinished, the overall plot of the story is entertaining with its ironic humor and honest performances.
Grade: B+