StunnaKrypto Self-important, over-dramatic, uninspired.
Solidrariol Am I Missing Something?
Ogosmith Each character in this movie — down to the smallest one — is an individual rather than a type, prone to spontaneous changes of mood and sometimes amusing outbursts of pettiness or ill humor.
Kirandeep Yoder The joyful confection is coated in a sparkly gloss, bright enough to gleam from the darkest, most cynical corners.
dirtychild Friends and Family is a very slight comedy about a couple of gay mobsters whose parents come to town (knowing about their relationship but not aware of their occupation).Despite being d as "from the creators of Gods and Monsters" - I'm not quite sure of any connection (after doing a quick search in IMDb) - maybe they had the same caterers.Friends and Family doesn't really have a whole lot going for it - it tries to make fun of fairly boring stereotypes (you got your mobsters, your really camp queens, drag queens, blah blah blah) and the humour is quite limp and soggy. It really feels a lot like "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" - another movie which (in my opinion) was quite sad.I thought the only slightly humorous idea was the hick mid-west family who were planning destruction to the "Federal Government Occupiers of the United States" - but I'm sure this was a pre-9/11 movie...Overall - if you think "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" was the funniest movie around - you might get a kick - otherwise for those who need a bit more omph with their comedy - don't bother!
Mark This has to be one of the worst movies I have ever watched. The plot idea could have been something, but the writing was not there. I really wished I had never rented this movie.Two gay hit men, lovers... and "out." Sounds interesting, but that is the sum of the interest. The acting is flat, or WAY over the top. The stereotypes are repulsive, and there is not a character to be liked in the entire movie.This lame attempt at comedy gets a one for the music, which at times is good, other than that do not waste your time or money on this dog. Don't say that you were not warned if you do.
SnowDrake Like so many gay movies, there is so much potential here, but it never matured during the artistic process. So many things were not quite there. The script with a little more polish, the directing with a little more experience, the acting moving a little faster, and the movie with a little more work would have been totally delightful. Two things bothered me most. 1. The lack of a kiss or any real intimacy between the gay couple. I kept hoping until the end that they would kiss - even a small peck.2. The pace. This movie was slow. Not sure whose fault this was. Did the director over control the actors not allowing them to move it along? Did the editor stretch everything to try meet an appropriate length? Not sure, but even the big action sequence toward the end was a waltz, when it should have been frenetic tarantella.There were a lot of funny ideas here, but the delivery was sooo slow. Pace, pace, pace, screwball comedies are about pace. Keep it moving. It may have been that the production staff (writer, director, etc) where just too impressed with themselves.The acting on the other was pretty good. I think with proper pacing they would have been exceptional. Yes, like so many low budget indie gay movies - I wish for a rewrite and a remake by a competent director. I wouldn't change the cast at all, just the creative/production staff. This could be a delightful charming hilarious movie, but it isn't quite there.By the way, if you listen to the commentary you may begin to understand what went wrong and who is at fault. Oh well, <sigh>.
barbara_please I saw this uproariously funny little film this summer and bought it as soon as it came out on video. What a breath of fresh air it is to see a movie that goes back to the basics of classic comedy rather than pandering to the current vogue of substituting posing and attitude for genuine humor. The plot revolves around a gay couple who are hitmen for the Mafia, but don't expect a one-joke film that caters to stereotypes. Instead, expect several wacky but seamlessly interwoven plotlines that are handled in the style of the old screwball comedies, with wit and panache. And one of the film's strongest elements is the way it sends up and subverts stereotypes rather than exploit them.I've read some criticisms of this film because the two guys don't kiss. Well, I'm a gay man and in a long-term relationship and I thought this was one of the most convincing, affectionate and natural portrayals of a gay couple in memory. Obviously, the couple has a sex life, but we don't have to see it. And the final love scene (without a kiss) was one of the most erotic, beautiful things I've seen in any recent movie, gay or straight.
