Ladies and Gentlemen, Welcome my first Guest Movie Reviewer! Mary and I had the opportunity to see this sneak preview as well but unfortunately could not attend. That being the case I drafted Jeff into service to provide this reviews. And without further ado…

My wife, Keri, and I had the opportunity to attend a preview screening of an upcoming film entitled The Thing about My Folks. It was written by and stars Paul Reiser. Paul is a forty-something father whose own father, played by Peter Falk, shows up at his apartment one night and drops the bomb on him: that Paul’s mother, played by Olympia Dukakis, has left him after 47 years of marriage and he doesn’t know why. That is how this wonderful film begins.

This is a film about family dynamics and things that go unsaid. This leads to the things going unsaid turning into many years of emotional wounds. Reiser writes a film in which anyone can see parts of their own family in numerous moments. It challenges you to think about your own family. It also is funny and uplifting as it shows the good along with the bad. You can see how Paul’s character is different from his father. Peter Falk is wonderful though in handling his son’s emotions and then giving him insight into events of the past from his point of view. As in life it is perilous to jump to a conclusion after hearing only one side of the story and the movie is great at showing us how much clearer the picture is once you’ve seen and heard events from both sides. Too many times each day I hear or see people say things with just their gut reaction instead of taking a breath a getting all the facts so they can make an informed decision.

The stars of the film do a wonderful job of getting you to think through the use of humor. Keri and I each laughed out loud at least a dozen times in this film. Don’t let the above paragraph lead you to believe this film is a heavy film. It’s really a comedy that masks, like most humor, the real story which is underneath. It is great to view a comedy with a point in contrast to so many of today’s comedies which are slapstick or go low brow with no real point. Sure some of the bits are funny and we laugh but there is no clear message.

When the screening was over we were fortunate to have the stars of the film on hand to conduct a question and answer session with the audience. Peter Falk and Paul Reiser were wonderful speakers and implored us to get the word out on this small independent film. If I didn’t believe in it I wouldn’t, so here goes. This film is only opening in select theatres on September 16th. If it does well that first weekend maybe they will be able to expand it. This is a film with no car chases, no explosions, no sex, no violence, and no major film studio believes in it because it lacks these things. This film has what many films today lack: story, humor and character development. If people vote with their wallets maybe Hollywood will realize that if they put out quality films people will watch and pay for them.

This film has a PG-13 rating because of language. Do the characters swear?Yes, but it is not F-this and F-that. The swearing they use fits the story. It’s not a film for small kids but this is just they type of film you can watch with your parents. It’s message about family is for 30 somethings to 60 somethings. Three quarters of the audience we watched it with where over 50 and they stood and applauded this film when it was over. So if your my age, 36, and are hesitant to recommend many of today’s films you enjoy to your parents then I believe this is one you can recommend to them.

This film’s main stars are on the screen ninety percent of the time (Peter Falk and Paul Reiser). However I don’t want to leave out noting great supporting performances by Olympia Dukakis and Elizabeth Perkins. Their roles are important and their acting is spot on.

GO SEE The Thing About My Folks SEPTEMBER 16th

When you do and hopefully enjoy it, Spread the word. Thanks for listening.

-Jeff Smith