Synopsis
Fred Schepisi directed It Runs in the Family, a family drama that was released in 2003 and emotionally reflects a family’s life. Written by Jesse Wigutow, the film centers on the prominent Gromberg family. This family characterizes wealth, and recently received acclaim for their legal achievements, running across three generations in New York City. The storyline focuses on Mitchell Gromberg, the retired head of the family and a legal powerhouse, and also the family’s patriarch. He is succeded by his son Alex Gromberg, who is a corporate lawyer trying to juggle between the family’s expectations and a more emotionally fulfilling life.
This wish is also facilitated by the fact that Alex is battling several of his own family issues of his own. This includes his strained relationships with his teenage son Asher, who is now a rebellious and aimless. He is still trying to bond with his younger son Eli, an awkward yet brilliant toddler. Alex’s marriage facing tension after the confess of a recent short term affair to his wife Rebecca only adds to the complexity.
The emotional stability of the Gromberg family begins to shift when Evelyn, the wife of Mitchell Gromberg and the mother of Alex, suddenly passes away. This family event acts like a catalyst, allowing deeply rooted, hidden family tensions to surface. The family, although residing within the same metropolitan area, appears to be emotionally aloof and disconnected. Mitchell’s health and aging challenges, coupled with the family’s pre-existing rifts, intensifies the need for unity and resolution.
In a bid to resolve their issues, the Gromberg men—Mitchell, Alex, and Asher—set off on a fishing trip together. This trip, intended to rebuild family ties, ultimately reveals the emotional and communication difficulties that exist within the family. Alex and Rebecca strive to rebuild their bond for the sake of the children. The continuation of family tensions is plainly visible, but the film culminates with small gestures pointing toward a type of resolution, underscoring that family healing is a long, often unfinished journey.
It Runs in the Family Cast & Crew
It Runs in the Family features an unusually multi-generational family cast with three generations of the actual Douglas family portraying themselves which adds an emotional dimension along with authenticity.
Hollywood icon Kirk Douglas plays the family patriarch Mitchell Gromberg. His real-life persona had recently recovered from a stroke which adds a personal vulnerability and real weight to the role.
As real-life father and son, Kirk and Michael Douglas shared the screen with Michael playing Alex Gromberg. His portrayal of a conflicted middle-aged man grappling with the emotional fulfillment of life alongside his ambition is one of the film’s finest highlights.
Asher Gromberg, a rebellious college student, is portrayed by Cameron Douglas, son of Michael and grandson of Kirk. Cameron’s character lacks direction and purpose in life.
The emotionally complex and precocious Eli Gromberg is portrayed by Rory Culkin, the youngest in the family and sensitive to the turbulent waters of his emotional world.
Evelyn Gromberg, the character from the film is portrayed by Diana Douglas, Michael’s real-life mother and Kirk’s former wife. Diana brings a real emotional connection and her character is the maternal figure whose sudden death anchors the film’s central conflict.
The role of Alex’s wife, Rebecca, is performed by Bernadette Peters. As a woman trying to keep her family together, she deals with her husband’s emotional distance and betrayal.
Fred Schepisi has a reputation for character-driven storytelling, and that is the style he employs in the film It Runs in the Family, which he directed. Jesse Wigutow wrote the screenplay, focusing on character-driven human interactions and revealed multi-generational conflict. The film’s Ian Baker, the cinematographer, portrays the modern upper-class family’s world as polished, yet intimate. The score by Paul Grabowsky underscored emotional currents without drowning the story.
Critical Reception & Ratings
It Runs in the Family has a rating of 5.5 on imdb which represents a divided critic and audience reception. It is however, lower than the multi-generational premise of a real hollywood family. The film was critiqued for not executing the impressive concept effectively.
The critical reception was as expected—mixed to negative. One aspect of the film that was praised was the deep look into family relationships. However, slow pacing of the film was pointed out as an issue alongside the lackluster treatment of deeper themes.
Some audience members thought the film was developed enough while not fully resolving the plot was a welcomed depiction of family dynamics—others found there to be little emotional closure.
The performances of both Kirk and Michael Douglas received acclaim. Kirk’s role of Mitchell was made more authentic and poignant by his real life stroke. Michael’s Alex was subtly vulnerable, and the father-son scenes were highly emotional. Cameron Douglas received mixed reviews for his performance,” some citing it was too unrefined and others stating it was perfect for the role of a directionless young man.
The film earned a little over 8 million dollars at the box office. With the cast and their prominence, the figure is incredibly low.
Themes & Analysis
Generational Disconnect
The film centers around the concept of the disconnect between generations, how the passage of time alters values, means of communication, and even expectations. Mitchell is a stoic, emotionally constipated relic of the old guard. Alex is torn between honoring his predecessor and embracing a more open and vulnerable way of living. Asher is adrift, lacking ambition and direction, and so is adrift. The film shows how a lack of communication and endless conflict can be passed down through generations like an unwanted inheritance.
Mortality and Legacy
Evlyn’s death forces the family to confront not just grief but also estrangement paralysis. What narrative do they wish to leave behind? Mitchell struggles with relevance and losing control. Alex questions whether the life built around the prestigious law firm is worth the emotional drain. The younger generation is largely disengaged: a reflection of a fear that family values may not be passed down unless consciously cultivated.
Emotional Isolation
Shunning social life is and can be a choice, and in the case of the Grombergs, an altogether wealthier and successful family, a form of emotional isolation. Despite his social standing, one can be so out of touch in a deeper, existential sense, that they might as well be worlds apart. The film projects that, without intentional hard work, familial relationships disintegrate to the weight of unexpressed regret and emotional distance.
Healing and Forgiveness
To this end, the film redefines healing, claiming it is not something that can be done in one go. Whether it is Alex seeking forgiveness for his affair, or Mitchell attempting to bond with his grandsons, the undertaking is fraught with baby steps and little shifts. It isn’t the idealized picture out there and it is the lack of skewed expectations that reaches, instead, time and space. Forgiveness itself is the result of hard work, without it, one can only hope to receive a mere relational gesture.
Conclusion
It Runs in the Family is an unhurried, close-in depiction of familial life, loss, and the effort to connect through the ages. Moreover, its most striking feature is the use of family members in the film, which gives a documentary feel to a number of the scenes. While the film has some strengths—like its uneven pacing and its sometimes thin subplots—most of the viewers cared about the film’s emotional impact rather than the technical details.
It’s like a reflection of family rather than a play, inviting viewers to think about their dynamics. For readers of It Runs in the Family, It offers a muted experience rather than a striking one. It is perfect for the fans of introspective or generations storytelling.
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