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The Thing About My Folks

2005Movie1 h 36 minPG-13

ComedyFamily
45
MediocreGoodWatch score
IMDb6.4Metacritic48–Rotten Tomatoes44%51%

A cathartic, hopeful family movie about family and everyday modern life.

Good for date night · family movie night · friends night

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Not streaming in any country yet.

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Not for scares, brutality or adrenaline.

Movies with

Story

Sometimes the fruit falls very far from the tree.

Ben's dad Sam shows up one night with a note from Ben's mother (Sam's wife of 46 years), that she has left. While Ben's wife and his three sisters try to find her, Ben takes Sam on a day trip to see a farmhouse that's for sale. The day trip turns into a road trip while dad and son explore their past, their relationship, and why Sam's wife might have left him. The road trip includes fishing, drinking, playing pool, sleeping under the stars, and frank discussion. Anger simmers close at hand, as do love and hope. Where Sam's wife is - and why she left - leads to the movie's resolution.

Feels like

  • Family Drama
  • Road Trip
  • Generational Conflict
  • Reconciliation
  • Relationship Exploration
  • Middle Age Themes
  • Wistful
  • Character-Driven
  • Hopeful Resolution

Cast

11 of 11

Crew

Directed by
Raymond De Felitta
Written by
Paul Reiser
Produced by
Paul Reiser, Jeffrey Silver, Robert Newmyer
Music by
Steven Argila

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

June 2, 2005 · 1 h 36 min · PG-13

Released
June 2, 2005
Runtime
1 h 36 min
Age rating
PG-13
Genres
Family, Comedy, Drama
Original language
English
Made in
United States
Available in
3 countries

Q&A

4 questions, like "Is The Thing About My Folks worth watching?"

Questions about The Thing About My Folks

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Is The Thing About My Folks worth watching?

45
MediocreGoodWatch score

Reviews are weak, with a GoodWatch score of 45 (IMDb 6.4, Rotten Tomatoes 44%, and Metacritic 48). Audiences rate it higher (58 out of 100) than critics (46).

Is The Thing About My Folks okay for kids?

PG-13

Yes: it's rated PG-13 in the United States, and the viewing guide lists it for family nights.

Will The Thing About My Folks make me laugh?

A touch

Not much for a comedy: the title analysis gives its humor 1 of 4.

Is The Thing About My Folks plot-driven or character-driven?

CharactersPlot

Mostly character-driven: it leans on character depth (8 of 10) and dialogue centrality (8 of 10) more than on its plot.