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Family Business (1989): Underrated gem or just... fine?

Okay, so I just watched "Family Business" (the 1989 one with Connery, Hoffman, and Broderick) and I have thoughts. It's one of those movies that just kinda...exists. I feel like nobody ever really talks about it, and I'm not totally sure why. On paper, that cast is insane! Three generations of acting royalty! But did it quite live up to the hype for me? Eh...mostly. What I found really interesting was the dynamic between Connery's Jessie and Hoffman's Vito. Connery is just effortlessly cool as the grandpa criminal, and Hoffman plays the conflicted son SO well. Broderick is...there. I guess he's supposed to be the naive and idealistic grandson who gets drawn in, but honestly, he felt a bit flat. I did appreciate the little touches of cinematography. There's a scene where Vito is trying to convince Adam (Matthew Broderick) to go through with the crime and the lighting shifts subtly as Vito leans in, almost like he's seducing him into darkness. Very clever. Direction-wise, it's solid, nothing groundbreaking. It kinda feels like a '90s crime dramedy, but a slightly… forgotten one. The heist scene itself was pretty well-executed, though I thought the ending felt a little rushed and predictable. Maybe that's why it never quite achieved cult status? Or maybe it's just me! Anyway, I'm curious what other people think! Have you seen it? Did you love it? Hate it? Did Matthew Broderick bother you as much as he bothered me? Let's discuss! I'm always down for a good movie deep-dive, especially when it comes to these slightly obscure flicks.

cinephile_sarah
2 months ago
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