A wealthy family is torn apart by being dysfunctional. Yes, it happens in the best of families.
Kirk and Michael Douglas are the Brombergs-father and son, who are constantly bickering.
As in real life, Kirk is the stroke victim and his wife is on dialysis. His oldest grandson is using drugs and talks like he belongs with characters who constantly use the term dude. At certain points, this actually became annoying.
Mike is married to Bernadette Peters, who makes the most of her part, that of an angry wife, who confronts her husband when she finds panty hose in his coat pocket.
Unfortunately, Grandma dies after one last dance with Grandpa. We've seen this cliché before. Even a demented Uncle Steve passes on. Morbid!
The last half hour is where the film falls apart. Uncle Steve, a navy vet, is burned up on a boat by the Brombergs. Kirk recites Kaddish over the burning body which is offensive in the Jewish faith. Speaking of religion, a nice Seder is marred by family spats.
While the burning is taking place, the teen Bromberg is busted for drugs but will beat the rap since no warrant was issued. Since when are police not aware of that? The younger son runs away with a girl from a 6th grade dance. She had been hanging around an older group of boys who confront them. Miraculously, our 6th grade boy beats the older boy as the 2 flee.
The ending is ridiculous. Everyone almost kisses and makes up and goes to sleep saying goodnight to all. What's this, the Waltons?
Retirement is for some people. I want to remember Kirk Douglas for "Champion," "Lust for Life," "The Bad and the Beautiful." I don't want to remember a poor script and a story that goes awry. One star for the effort and the second in honor of Douglas' long career.
Kirk and Michael Douglas are the Brombergs-father and son, who are constantly bickering.
As in real life, Kirk is the stroke victim and his wife is on dialysis. His oldest grandson is using drugs and talks like he belongs with characters who constantly use the term dude. At certain points, this actually became annoying.
Mike is married to Bernadette Peters, who makes the most of her part, that of an angry wife, who confronts her husband when she finds panty hose in his coat pocket.
Unfortunately, Grandma dies after one last dance with Grandpa. We've seen this cliché before. Even a demented Uncle Steve passes on. Morbid!
The last half hour is where the film falls apart. Uncle Steve, a navy vet, is burned up on a boat by the Brombergs. Kirk recites Kaddish over the burning body which is offensive in the Jewish faith. Speaking of religion, a nice Seder is marred by family spats.
While the burning is taking place, the teen Bromberg is busted for drugs but will beat the rap since no warrant was issued. Since when are police not aware of that? The younger son runs away with a girl from a 6th grade dance. She had been hanging around an older group of boys who confront them. Miraculously, our 6th grade boy beats the older boy as the 2 flee.
The ending is ridiculous. Everyone almost kisses and makes up and goes to sleep saying goodnight to all. What's this, the Waltons?
Retirement is for some people. I want to remember Kirk Douglas for "Champion," "Lust for Life," "The Bad and the Beautiful." I don't want to remember a poor script and a story that goes awry. One star for the effort and the second in honor of Douglas' long career.