The Family Fang

Based on the 2011 novel of the same name by Kevin Wilson, 'The Family Fang' by Jason Bateman, is a wonder of a film. No kidding, this is a sublime film, about family & the importance of parenthood. This One's A Near-Perfect Comedy-Drama!

'The Family Fang' Synopsis: A brother and sister return to their family home in search of their world famous parents who have disappeared.

'The Family Fang' is a quietly devastating film, on how important it is to be a good parent, in order to raise their children sane. In here, the unsettled protagonists (Bateman, Nicole Kidman, in Pure Oscar Peak Form), are a victim of unusual parents (Christopher Walken & Maryann Plunkett, both brilliant). They are not your regular parents, they are attention seekers, who find Art in the Reality of Life. They put up gigs (not even one of which shows any signs of entertainment, but of rather fright) & they swear to live by it, in extreme measures. Its a devastating journey to see this family so distort, torn between love, commitment & art.

David Lindsay-Abaire's Adapted Screenplay is superior in all terms. 'The Family Fang' is essentially a comedy, with some dark, dramatic undertones. I was engrossed & heartbroken by the struggle of its scarred protagonist. 'The Family Fang' is about artistry gone too far & how a family is only a family, when you treat it like one. Bateman's Direction is Brilliant. He takes charge of the narrative & doesn't let you go. Take a bow, Mr.Batemen!

The Fangs aren't particularly normal, but nor is their journey. Don't Miss It!

Abstract

The Family Fang is a certainly strange and intriguing film and not lacking in complexity and interest that reflects on the relationship between art and reality and the deep traces that the artistic narcissism of a father leaves on his children.

Review

During their childhood and adolescence, the Fang brothers participated in "interventions" or performances in public places devised and filmed by their parents. As adults, Annie and Baxter (Nicole Kidman and Jason Bateman), she an actress with an uncertain career and he, a blocked writer, meet them again and must face an unprecedented situation.

The Family Fang is a certainly strange and intriguing film and not lacking in complexity and interest. Two brothers marked by artistic narcissism and the manipulations of their father Caleb (a fearsome and relaxed Christopher Walken), the concessions of a surrendering mother (Maryann Plunkett) and a precocious and unconscious celebrity.

I'm talking about complexity because the ensemble that the director Jason Bateman also makes of the story in the present, flashbacks of the interventions in the past, videos of those interventions and the inclusion of false reports is effective and at times they bring the film closer to mockumentary and reality.

And I speak of interest because the film's explicit and implicit reflections on the relationships between art and reality are understandable, even if they are permeated by Caleb's debatable subjectivity.

Although the development of the story and some decisions or behaviors of the characters may seem forced or implausible, I believe that they must in part be understood based on the deep marks of family history and their artistic creed on the perception of reality and interaction with she.

Finally, it is worth highlighting the performances of the infallible Kidman, Bateman, Plunkett and the great Christopher Walken.

This is a very good work of fiction, well represented on the screen by Jason Bateman (who starred and directed it) and his stellar cast.

It's the story of a unusual family: you will find the story truly original, not only in its premises or in the sequence of events but also because in the end you'll be left without any moral teaching: everything will seem possible and acceptable.

I found it interesting but, to be sincere, not really catching or entertaining. If you are looking for a Comedy I'm afraid you'll be disappointed. If you think you are going to watch a drama you'll probably find it poorly moving. If you want to see something original, on the contrary, you could be satisfied I guess.

This movie was so different compared to any movie I've seen this year, and for a while! It takes us into the mind of a celebrity and how they stage things and work their way to do anything to make art/acting look so real. It was was beautifully done, but definitely not for the faint of heart.

Directed by Jason Bateman and starring Jason Bateman, Nicole Kidman, Christopher Walken and Maryann Plunkett. The plot involves the story of Caleb Fang and Camille Fang, two actors who do things things for a living by hoaxing and staging almost every situation. They have brought up their 2 kids Baxter and Annie Fang into these situations. The kids decide to go their separate ways and back away from their parents "celebrity" lifestyle. Years later they get a call from their parents asking to meet up. They decide it's a good idea and meet up with them. After a huge falling out with their parents officers arrive at the door saying their parents have died. Is it another hoax or is it for real? As stated above, this movie is so different and so true in many aspects. The acting is brilliant (especially from Kidman and Walken.) Kidman's character acted like a child at heart and she did not act her real age at all! Walken was very scary and very nasty as the father. An extremely disturbed man. It takes you into the eyes and mind of a celebrity, such as pretending to fake run in public for better publicity appearances, pretending to eat healthy, pretending a fan is not near you, and most of all...pretending to be normal. Celebrities dragging their children into a sick, twisted, fake game is what this story is about...and as disturbing as that is....it's actually true for a lot of celebrities! It's not exactly a comedy movie. It's more of a Drama movie. It's really hard to watch this. You get to experience the reality of what people/kids have to go through just to be a celebrity!

All in all, i can't say I had fun watching this, but it was definitely a great, original idea and was brilliantly executed! Jason Bateman's directing and even acting gets better by each movie. 4/5 stars 8/10. Autistic Jay

This Be The Verse, by Philip Larkin, opens with the lines: "They f*ck you up, your mum and dad. They may not mean to, but they do." The Family Fang is basically an exploration of that thesis. The parents of two damaged individuals go missing. The siblings come together to try and find them, one believing they have fallen foul of serial killers, the other thinking this is another prank in a long line of stunts their parents are famous for. All the actors do credible turns, but the themes could be explored more deeply. The revelation that the father never wanted children should impact much more heavily than it does. The waning career of Kidman's actor character seems a slight and peripheral concern. Bateman's near death-by-potato is funny, but doesn't resonate to a deeper malaise. The film carries the comedy well, but the darkness is less truthful and engaging. A spotty film, with bright moments, but I wanted more than it delivered.