HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
US, 1995, 103 minutes, Colour.
Holly Hunter, Robert Downey Jr, Anne Bancroft, Charles Durning, Dylan Mc Dermott, Geraldine Chaplin, Steve Guttenberg, Cynthia Stevenson, Claire Danes, Austin Pendleton, David Strathearn, Amy Yasbeck, Shawn Hatosy.
Directed by Jodie Foster.
Another view of the American family, but lest artistic and beautiful than a quilt. This is the loud dysfunctional American family and a typical, if disastrous, Thanksgiving
reunion.
Jodie Foster is the director, a surprisingly raucous film from an actress more noted for serious roles. Perhaps it's just Americans seem to sound so much louder and their quarrels
are all out there rather than covered up.
If you enjoy seeing this kind of extroverted family reunion, then this is it. Th e cast is particularly strong. The reunion is seen through
Holly Hunter's eyes. She is a single parent with a precocious teenage daughter, has lost her job, is overwhelmed by her
chain-smoking, chain-demanding mother, is alienated from her stuffy sister but not from her gay brother.
Anne Bancroft is believable as the dramatic mother contrasting nicely with Charles Durning as her retired, opting out husband. Robert
Downey Jr is the brother and Cynthia Stevenson is effective as the unsympathetic sister.
The kind of sit-com that wants to make its audience think. Loud dysfunctional family
1. A piece of Americana? Families? Dysfunctional? The celebration of Thanksgiving? American behaviour – similarities to behaviour in other cultures? Contrasts?
2. The ensemble cast, Jodie Foster as director? The Baltimore settings?
3. The focus on Thanksgiving, its meaning, traditions? Families, gathering, travel across the country? Eager celebrations? The contrast with dreads of meetings? Truths told? Love and hate? And the consequences from the gatherings?
4. The home situation, Adele and Henry, their age, in themselves, the relationship, their concern about the next generation, the grandchildren? The preparation for the meal?
5. Claudia, her age, single mother, concerned about her daughter, the daughter remaining in Chicago, the discussion about the boyfriend, sexual relationship? Claudia’s own life and work, firing, the relationship with the boss? Her work, Art? Her relationship with her parents, going for the gathering?
6. Tommy, Robert Downey Jr, his screen presence and style? Jokes, being cantankerous? Bringing Leo, his friend? Some of the family thinking Leo was a boyfriend? The truth about his relationship, Jack, going to the ceremony on the beach? His mother’s reaction? His father and the reconciliation? Jack’s later phone call?
7. Leo, the attraction to Claudia, his presence at the gathering, the meal? The approach to Claudia? Tommy, sleeping on the floor? His intervention? Their leaving?
8. The aunt, age, eccentricities, her flirting with Henry, causing trouble, Claudia and the others driving her home?
9. Joanne and Walter, their children, their attitudes, criticisms, the discussion between Joanne and Claudia? The fight, the games, there leaving?
10. The games of football, the washing of the cars, the fighting? The hose?
11. The details of the dialogue, the characters and their problems, the interactions, how much love, how much hate? The future and possibilities for reconciliation?
