I don't have all the words right now but this film is a work of art.

It's entirely possible that sending the audience out feeling lousy was intentional

The joyful confection is coated in a sparkly gloss, bright enough to gleam from the darkest, most cynical corners.

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

You see many a film where you say " Wow, that's a bit coincidental". Then you see this and it goes to a whole new level, and you think the director and writer just think you are stupid and will buy anything. I'm referring to the utterly ridiculous set up of a French village high school newspaper that miraculously makes it's way to a mob boss in a New York penitentiary. Not completely unbelievable, except for the fact that the son of Robert DeNiro who is wanted dead by the mob boss, goes to this school, and just so happens to write an anecdote he remembers when he was a little boy that was said by yep guess who? the mob boss reading it. Added to that the boss reads the one tiny section of the newspaper with the anecdote. And that ruined the film for me.....til the last 20 minutes or so.The story has much promise but I felt it could have been so much better. The premise is good but sometimes the styles of the film jar. You have thrillers with comic elements and comedies with thriller elements but with this the styles jar. One second you are watching a comedy and the next it's a violent edge of your seat thriller. It maybe extreme as an example but imagine you were watching the French connection and then you had some anchorman humour in. And here lies a big problem with the film. You are supposed to be on the families side and they do crazy things in a comical style but then next minute the film serious so the things they do then seem violent. Take the daughter Belle for example. In the context of a comedy she's a no nonsense chick who beats the crap out of anyone who upsets her. But then she's a stalker who becomes suicidal and wants to die after a very fleeting romance with an unrequited love. If we are in comedy territory we can get away with it, but when the film gets serious all these things make her seem unhinged. Are we watching a comic character or a serious one? this is an example where the styles don't meld.DeNiro is ok, but you never really believe he was once a threatening mafioso even though he's played many in the past. Maybe age has softened him, but it seems he just walks through this. It's not terrible or bad, just not the conscientious work and characterisation from his younger years...but then scripts and movies don't offer that as much for an actor. Overall, I found it watchable, the film goes into mainly thriller territory last 20 minutes and is pretty good, but even then comic elements are added which just jar.

As usual little D is trying to act tough and he still just can't cut it. He just is not convincing as a big bad mobster. The only person he could really punch in the face is a girl. what a woos. Actually his acting is getting worse as he gets older. That's because of his conceit he thinks he is great. He has no ability to act a different character. He is always the same dawdy jerk.

The Family is relatively entertaining and is a more comical look at life in organized crime. A family is on the run from the Mafia and arrive in a remote place in France. Each family member is shown be equally devious and harbor criminal intentions. The film excels with its humor and the quirky characters in the film. It certainly cannot be taken too seriously and the viewer can be quite certain everyone will be okay. The tone and nature of this movie informs you can expect a happy ending. It is enjoyable and perfect if you want to enjoy a film without having to think too much. The cast are captivating to watch and really carry this film which definitely makes it above average.

I quite enjoyed this film. It was a very entertaining movie, full of laughs! It was refreshing see Robert DiNero in a light hearted film, alongside Tommy Lee Jones.This film had a very light sense to it, with a hint of a dark atmosphere!Overall I would say it was quite an excellent film, however raunchy it may be and refreshing change from your typical Rogan movie.I hope this review on "The Family" was helpful to whomever decides to read this.8/10