I like this movie, even though it slumps badly in spots, overall the madcap weirdness of this family brings it 'home' for me. I think they could have left the whole Dylan McDermott thing out. It only further muddles and confuses things. Whatever may have failed in construction and timing, is more than made up for by the cast and the endlessly quirky, flawed (dare I say maimed) characters they portray.
And what of the wonderful Cynthia Stevenson (Cynthia fans unite!!!)? Is there not a casting director out there who realizes what a gem she is? Only Robert Altman ("The Player") and Todd Solondz ("Happiness"), and of course Jodie Foster in this case have the courage to cast her against type. In my opinion, she practically walks off with this movie as the relentlessly bitchy, put-upon caregiver sister to Robert Downey, Jr. and Holly Hunter. The turkey scene is a bona fide archive vault classic! She currently seems locked in as the linchpin of the terminally sappy "Air Bud" direct-to-video franchise. Thank goodness she is getting regular work, at least.
And what of the wonderful Cynthia Stevenson (Cynthia fans unite!!!)? Is there not a casting director out there who realizes what a gem she is? Only Robert Altman ("The Player") and Todd Solondz ("Happiness"), and of course Jodie Foster in this case have the courage to cast her against type. In my opinion, she practically walks off with this movie as the relentlessly bitchy, put-upon caregiver sister to Robert Downey, Jr. and Holly Hunter. The turkey scene is a bona fide archive vault classic! She currently seems locked in as the linchpin of the terminally sappy "Air Bud" direct-to-video franchise. Thank goodness she is getting regular work, at least.