
The Family
Seen it?1987 | 127 min | Drama
Why it’s a Weeknight Watch
With almost no lasting buzz, it's a mixed bag. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who loves a strong drama.
- The mood
- Thoughtful and character-driven.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 7 min.
- What might put you off
- It's in Italian, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
Formal portraits, bookends in this 80-year saga, enclose the central story, which opens with the baptism of Carlo, a baby in his grandfather's lap, and ends with Carlo as a grandfather with a baby in his arms. And never once do we get out of the house, whose rooms provide structure. Comfort or passion? Carlo can't really decide until it's too late.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsSolid
71% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesSolid
7.5 out of 10
- AwardsBelow par
Nominated for 1 Oscar.
- Reach & staying powerSolid
Streaming release that reached a small audience so far; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactWeak
About 7K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
More like this
Hands of StoneSunday Safe BetAnother drama, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
The Virgin SuicidesSaturday SpecialAnother drama, and a Saturday Special.
NellSaturday SpecialAnother drama, and a Saturday Special.
Reign Over MeWeeknight WatchAnother drama, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
The Iron ClawSaturday SpecialAnother drama, and a Saturday Special.
Want more like this, picked just for you? Get my picks
Cast & crew
Directed by Ettore Scola
- Vittorio GassmanCarlo as a man / Carlo's grandfather
- Fanny ArdantAdriana
- Stefania SandrelliBeatrice
- Andrea OcchipintiCarlo as a young man
- Emanuele LamaroCarlo as a child
- Cecilia DazziBeatrice as a young woman
- Jo ChampaAdriana as a young woman
- Joska VersariGiulio as a child
- Alberto GimignaniGiulio as a young man
- Massimo DapportoGiulio as a middle-aged man