Review of "The Family Stone"

Sarah Jessica Parker had a really good year in 2006, with the release of two wonderful films - - "The Family Stone" and "Failure to Launch." Not bad for a star whose previous fame was mainly due to her role as Carrie Bradshaw on HBO's hit series "Sex and the City." That is not to say that Parker is new to film. She is not. She has, in fact, several notable films under her belt including "Footloose," "Hocus Pocus," "Mars Attacks," and "The First Wives Club." She is also established on Broadway in plays like "The Innocents," The Sound of Music" (remake), and "Annie." However, she could never quite grasp the brass ring that secured her place as a real Hollywood star. "Sex and the City" finally brought to focus the depth and breadth of her acting capabilities and earned her the Emmy she so richly deserved, which finally put Parker on the path to stardom.

Thomas Bezucha's thought provoking dramedy, "The Family Stone", manages to be both warmhearted and sentimental while still possessing a razor-sharp hilarious mean streak. It is a delightful mixture of contradictions; much the same as is life itself.

The story centers on Parker's prim, proper, and decidedly uptight career woman, Meredith and her first introduction to her live-in lover's entire family. It almost seems appropriate that this encounter take place during the holidays when families are notorious for being at their very worst. Trust me when I say, the Stone family must have set the standard for family dysfunction.