The Family Fang

Name: The Family Fang
Genre: Drama, Mystery, Comedy
Released: April 29, 2016
Duration: 105 min
Rating: 67
Cast: Christopher Walken, Jason Bateman, Kathryn Hahn, Maryann Plunkett, Nicole Kidman

2016

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 28 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 31 Ratings

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6.7

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6.7	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 31 Ratings

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The Family Fang

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Movie Details & Credits

Starz Digital Media | Release Date: April 29, 2016 | R

Starring: Christopher Walken, Jason Bateman, Kathryn Hahn, Maryann Plunkett, Nicole Kidman

Summary: Adult siblings Baxter (Jason Bateman) and Annie (Nicole Kidman), scarred from an unconventional upbringing, return to their family home after an unlikely accident. When their parents (Christopher Walken and Maryann Plunkett) — performance artists famous for elaborate public hoaxes — suddenly go missing under troubling circumstances, BaxterAdult siblings Baxter (Jason Bateman) and Annie (Nicole Kidman), scarred from an unconventional upbringing, return to their family home after an unlikely accident. When their parents (Christopher Walken and Maryann Plunkett) — performance artists famous for elaborate public hoaxes — suddenly go missing under troubling circumstances, Baxter and Annie investigate. Unsure whether it’s foul play or just another elaborate ruse, nothing can prepare them for what they discover.… Expand

Director: Jason Bateman

Genre(s): Drama, Mystery, Comedy

Rating: R

Runtime: 105 min

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Critic Reviews

David Rooney

Sep 15, 2015

[A] smart, tart adaptation of Kevin Wilson's best-selling 2011 debut novel, which thumbs its nose at the clichés of the over-trafficked dysfunctional family genre to dissect the sometimes lifelong quest of children to understand their parents in ways that are funny and bittersweet, poignant and often bracingly dark. Read full review

Peter Travers

Apr 29, 2016

Kidman and Bateman make a potent team in a provocative film that questions the limits of art in a world that forgets to be human. The result is funny, touching and vital. Read full review

Mark Olsen

Apr 28, 2016

For a project that is a showcase for his talents as both actor and director, Bateman never gets too showy on either front, keeping the emotions of the film at something of a restrained simmer. Read full review

Tim Grierson

Sep 15, 2015

Films about dysfunctional families are as common as families themselves. But for most of its running time, The Family Fang impressively negotiates around the familiar trappings, finding a relatively new way to discuss familiar themes. Read full review

Kyle Smith

Apr 28, 2016

Yet merely “playing with concepts” doesn’t quite add up to a film, and The Family Fang, adapted from Kevin Wilson’s novel, feels like an extended therapy session. Read full review

The Telegraph Tim Robey

Sep 18, 2015

The Family Fang, based on a book of the same name by Kevin Wilson, looks on paper like your typical, middleweight, dysfunctional-family angst-fest. But it’s rather better, and considerably more eccentric, than you might expect. Read full review

The Guardian Catherine Shoard

Sep 15, 2015

Saturation point when it comes to quirkily dysfunctional families in over-soundtracked dramedies was reached long ago. Read full review

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User Reviews

Brent_Marchant

Jul 30, 2016

A funny, somewhat macabre comedy-drama-mystery that's fresh in virtually every regard. With an excellent cast, an engaging narrative that continually keeps viewers guessing and a deliciously twisted sense of humor, this underrated indie production pushes a lot of buttons about what we shouldA funny, somewhat macabre comedy-drama-mystery that's fresh in virtually every regard. With an excellent cast, an engaging narrative that continually keeps viewers guessing and a deliciously twisted sense of humor, this underrated indie production pushes a lot of buttons about what we should expect out of art in general (and movies in particular). This offering certainly won't appeal to everyone, but, for those who enjoy cinema that pushes the envelope, this one is definitely for you.… Expand

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

Dan_B

Feb 16, 2021

(Espñaol / English)

English 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.(Espñaol / English)

English 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.
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English 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.
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Abstract Español
The Family Fang es una película ciertamente extraña e intrigante y no carente de complejidad e interés que reflexiona sobre la relación entre arte y realidad y las profundas huellas que deja el narcisismo artístico de un padre sobre sus hijos.
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Reseña Español
Durante su infancia y adolescencia, los hermanos Fang participaban en “intervenciones” o performances en sitios públicos ideadas y filmadas por sus padres. Ya adultos, Annie y Baxter (Nicole Kidman y Jason Bateman), ella una actriz de carrera incierta y él, un escritor bloqueado, se reencuentran con ellos y deben enfrentar una situación inédita e intrigante.

The Family Fang es un a película ciertamente extraña y no carente de complejidad e interés. Dos hermanos marcados por el narcisismo artístico y las manipulaciones de su padre Caleb (un tan temible como distendido Christopher Walken), las concesiones de una madre entregadora (Maryann Plunkett) y una precoz e inconsciente celebridad.

Hablo de complejidad porque el ensamble que hace el también director Jason Bateman de relato en el presente, flashbacks de las intervenciones en el pasado, videos de esas intervenciones e inclusión de falsos reportajes es efectivo y por momentos acercan la película al mockumentary y al reality.

Y hablo de interés porque las reflexiones explícitas e implícitas de la película sobre las relaciones entre arte y realidad son atendibles, aunque estén permeadas por la discutible subjetividad de Caleb.

Si bien el desarrollo de la historia y algunas decisiones o conductas de los personajes pueden parecer forzadas o inverosímiles creo que deben en parte entenderse en función de las profundas marcas de la historia familiar y su credo artístico sobre la percepción de la realidad y la interacción con ella.

Por último, cabe destacar las actuaciones de la infalible Kidman, Bateman, Plunkett y el gran Christopher Walken.
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0 of 0 users found this helpful00

csw12

Jul 10, 2016

Weird and entertaining with Bateman and Kidman giving strong performances..................................................................................

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

LeZee

Sep 1, 2016

The puzzle behind the disappearance of the pranksters.

I still remember the Jason Bateman's feature film debute as a director a couple of years ago. He really did good and now this is his second. It was adapted from the book of the same name that tells the story of a brother and sisterThe puzzle behind the disappearance of the pranksters.

I still remember the Jason Bateman's feature film debute as a director a couple of years ago. He really did good and now this is his second. It was adapted from the book of the same name that tells the story of a brother and sister who begin to investigate their mysteriously disappeared parents. With some flashbacks, which reveals how these two grew up with their famous prank artist parents.

When I saw the opening scene, I was really excited and thought the film would be like this throughout. And then obviously it changed its course towards the mystery surrounding parts that set in the present time. But I did not feel those developments were bad, except the final act, especially the ending surely a let down. Actually, it was not bad, only expected a better one.

The story certainly created the atmosphere where the viewers begin their predictions. That's the issue, because it failed to deliver par with the audience anticipation. Like maybe some smart twist or the edgy scenes before concluding would have done good.

Jason Bateman and Nicole Kidman with their multiple roles like actors, producers et cetera should have been the hefty load, but I think they managed well. Though the film was okay type, had its moments that did not last very long. I don't know what the novel fans say about the film, but I think I dissatisfied with the source material. Overall once watchable film, especially without any extraordinary expectations, because it is a simple drama with some amount of comedy and suspense.

6/10… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

smiyamot

Jul 8, 2016

With an all star cast, what could go wrong? Guess the story line just didn't give these actors room to shine. We have two parents and two kids; did the parents mess up these kids so they are now having problems as adults? In flashback, we see how they were raised. Sounds like many moviesWith an all star cast, what could go wrong? Guess the story line just didn't give these actors room to shine. We have two parents and two kids; did the parents mess up these kids so they are now having problems as adults? In flashback, we see how they were raised. Sounds like many movies I've seen recently. We have a twist at the end but it wasn't enough for me to rate this movie any higher.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

BrianMcCritic

Jul 5, 2016

A film that will peak your interest at times with its thoughts on how far you will go for good art. In the end though you'll start to scratch your head as it gets a little ridiculous. C+

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

ironbalut

Jul 16, 2016

Three of us sat through this boring, rather stupid, movie. What a mistake that was, because the ending flopped. I really don't believe it received so many high ratings.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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