Familienstreß

I have always found this film an enjoyable and fun movie that uses satire to deliver some profound insights into modern American blended families. The film focuses on Laura Chartoff (Hillary Wolf), a delightfully sarcastic and self aware preteen and her dysfunctional family. Laura hates the family situation she has been forced into, but also finds she doesn't know how to convey this to either of her divorced parents, self absorbed and materialistic Melinda (Margaret Whitton) and well meaning but inarticulate David (Griffin Dunne).

After a particularly nasty fight with her mom and stepdad,Keith(David Strathairn) Laura runs away with her stepbrother Josh (Dan Futterman),who is estranged from the family. Soon all of Laura's family arrive at the lake house where she and Josh have been staying, and she takes off again, believing Josh has betrayed her trust.

In the days that follow, Laura will discover some fundamental truths about family as she makes her way alone in the world. Meanwhile,back at the lake, Laura's various family members-parents, stepparents,and siblings all come to realizations about their relationships that are alternately funny, touching, and poignant.

This is truly a great film which few people even know about-an underrated gem. Filled with vibrant performances-especially by the wonderful Dan Futterman, by Patricia Kalembar as Laura's beloved stepmother, Barbara, and by a pre-"Boy Meets World" Ben Savage as Laura's know-it-all half brother, Sam. Do yourself a favor and watch this movie. You won't be disappointed.

Big Girls don't...... is a story of a thirteen year old girl who thinks her family don't love her. When her family is going on a road trip she decides to run away. Old story in a new raincoat but still entertaining.

Just see this movie when you are tired of action/horror/SF movies and see it with your friends/family/loved one.

6 out of 10 stars

Laura Chartoff is a teenager with body issues and dysfunctional families. She lives with her mother Melinda who is in her third marriage. Melinda is closer to her present husband Keith Power's pretty daughter Corinne. Keith also has Kurt who spent a year in military school and adult son Josh. Josh and Keith don't get along. Melinda and Keith have young genius son Sam. Laura's father David has three ex-wives, getting divorced to Barbara who is the mother of their young daughter Jessie, and living off of pregnant girlfriend Stephanie. He's an artistically blocked painter. Family dramas are inevitable. Laura runs away to live with her blacksheep stepbrother Josh.

This could be a functional teenage coming-of-age story. Hillary Wolf's big role is Macaulay Culkin's sister in Home Alone. She doesn't have it or the big screen charisma to lead a big cast. Expositions are sometimes a necessary evil and this is definitely one of those times. This movie needs a fun two minute animation of all of her parents' marriages and kids. It's simply too much work to write down the org chart while trying to get involved with the story. It would also allow Laura to stay at the center of the screen instead of going off with the other family members. It gets to a point where Laura doesn't seem to be the lead character. This simply has too much going on.

A teenaged girl (Hillary Wolf) protests about the so called "revolving door" marriages that both of her parents have gone through over the years. It has left her part of a bizarre overextended family. A delightful cast and some hilarious moments save what could've been a very weak film.

I loved this movie so much I bought the VHS tape and I don't regret it one bit spending the 5 dollars to get it. This movie is funny, emotional, and has just great performances by Hillary Wolf, Griffin Dunne, Dan Futterman, David Straithirn etc... I would completely recommend everyone to buy this movie on VHS. You will cherish this movie forever. I love the song at the end. It makes you feel so good about the ending. The soundtrack is great on this movie and I wish it was released. Hopefully a DVD of this movie will come out in the near future with extras, deleted scenes, and bloopers. I really wish Hillary Wolf and Margaret Whitton could come back to acting. They are such great actresses. Wolf was great in Home Alones 1 and 2 and Whitton was wonderful in Major League 1 and 2 as the owner. I think they should have a reunion to put on the DVD. It would be great see what everyone is up to now and to see how much everyone has changed.