Home for the Holidays (1995)

Family Values NOT

This film embodies the abject misery a lot of people experience when forced to go home to The Family for the holidays. You have to confront aging parents, aging siblings and old school friends/rivals. Nothing is the same anymore; yet you are bombarded with bittersweet memories. This film delivers in all those areas. You identify with the characters because you either know people like this or are related to them!

Robert Downey Jr really shines in this - which is amazing since the cast was brilliant. His performance just sparkles. He plays the gay brother of Holly Hunter who starts out just plain weird and becomes The Star of the film. I was disappointed when his character just goes away by escaping the insanity of The Family when he goes back to his real home to be with people who really love and appreciate the person he is rather than the little boy his family remembers. It seemed to me that the spark was gone after that.

Anyway, buy this film, put on the popcorn, curl up and enjoy. Oh, and Merry Christmas. Heh heh heh. June 13, 2008

Great movie

This is such a great movie, saw it years ago and always wanted it. So I added it to my movie library, and love it. Great holiday movie. March 25, 2008

Avoid this seller (MovieMars)

This seller (Movie Mars)sent defective merchandise. After returning it at MY cost, I had to keep contacting the company to find out what happened to my replacement. Home for the Holidays February 8, 2008

Great underrated film

This great story about a more "normal" family than most will ever admit starts funny and ends nicely (and you will need to pay attention to get it). In between we are taken on a roller coaster ride of insanity, dark humor, insight, observation and discomfort - as in "OMG-that's my sister (brother, dad, etc.). I laughed, cried, puzzled, identified and it seemed to all sum up in Dad's thanksgiving prayer and "bogey, bogey, par, par son."
With Jody Foster directing, Holly Hunter and Robert Downey Jr., Anne Bancroft and Charles Dunning starring in a movie about Families at Thanksgiving and raising kids --- I can only say "perfect"... My family and friends make this a Thanksgiving/Christmas watch... not everyone is ready for this level of reality but hey--- it only comes once a year! January 20, 2008

the best!

This is the most hilarious, in your face depiction of the "normal dysfunctional" family get-together ever. The casting, script and acting is so good that I never tire of the film. It is fast paced and witty to the core. I put it right up there with the classic, A Christmas Story--a must see for every holiday season. Even the teenagers in the family love it. My daughter asked for her own copy this year. January 12, 2008

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