obsters have a way of dealing with problems the dirty, family way. They can’t help that it’s in their nature to do so with explosives, baseball bats or dragging someone behind a car. Mix that with dark comedy and family psychodynamics, and it becomes an intriguing mixture with memorable moments, known as “The Family.”
The film follows Giovanni Manzoni (Robert DeNiro) and his family as they make their way to Normandy as part of the Witness Protection Program. Giovanni is ratting out his other family (the mafia) to the Feds. Along with him is his ruthless wife, Maggie (Michelle Pfeiffer), daughter Belle (Dianna Agron) and son Warren (John D’Leo). It is FBI agent Robert Stansfields’ (Tommy Lee Jones) job to keep the family alive. Rather than changing old habits, they have trouble keeping a low profile, which is why they are now referred to as the Blake family.
In an attempt to find peace and stability in remote Normandy, the Blakes hope to avoid whacking every delivery man, blowing up buildings or funneling money through high school.
That’s just not a deal the Blakes can accept.
Upon arrival, Fred pretends to take the dog for a walk, but instead spends time digging a hole for one of his victims that was dead in the trunk during the trip. Maggie blows up the local supermarket because employees were talking badly about her behind her back. Belle beats a boy senseless for laying his hands on her and Warren turns into the crime kingpin at high school. But Fred? He decides to write his memoir.
He claims, “All my sadistic urges are satisfied when I hurt a person for a good reason.” So, he finds a lot of “good” reasons. The book is used as a plot device to feed the viewers Fred’s story. However, the memoir is not the best idea for a man who has a $20 million bounty on him.
DeNiro’s role as a mobster is quite familiar to him, but his work as a father plays perfectly in the movie. Fred feels guilty for the position he has put his family in, but they remain close despite the struggles. Belle tells him, “You’re the best dad anybody could ask for.” “Really?” responds Fred. “F*** yeah,” smiles Belle. Warren describes his father’s affection and personality by saying, “He could express the entire range of human emotion with just one word,” that being the “f-word.”
The movie originated from a screenplay written by director Luc Besson (“The Professional,” “The Fifth,” “The Lady”.) This is Besson’s first attempt at comedy, while trying to mix it into the mobster drama. The combination made keeping a consistent tone difficult because of the R-rated violence and humor.
The great actors and actresses made Besson’s first try at dark comedy a success. While DeNiro could have played the role of a mobster in his sleep, he delivered another great performance. Some of the most hysterical moments happened when DeNiro’s character was venting his rage when he wasn’t instantly satisfied with the respect from his peers.
Michelle Pfeiffer was dealt an underwritten role, but did wonders with her time on the screen. When Maggie cries, it’s difficult not to weep with her. Pfeiffer is no stranger to the role, given her experience as a mob wife in “Married to the Mob” and “Scarface.”
Luc Besson’s best work came in the final scenes of the movie when there was no comedy, all business and high-stakes scenes. The humor escapes, guns are drawn and the action begins.
Overall, this humorous film is truly about a family that becomes closer in the midst of their struggles, like any other family tries to do throughout the trials and tribulations of life. While it is an unusual mixture of comedy and violence, it maintains a constant energy throughout. I would recommend this movie to almost anyone because of its sheer uniqueness.
