Relative Strangers

2006 "You can't pick your parents."
5.3| 1h24m| PG-13| en| More Info
Released: 01 May 2006 Released
Producted By: Jersey Films
Country: United States of America
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
Official Website:
Synopsis

An uptight professional meets his lower-class biological parents for the first time.

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Reviews

Hellen I like the storyline of this show,it attract me so much
Borserie it is finally so absorbing because it plays like a lyrical road odyssey that’s also a detective story.
Tayloriona Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.
Zandra The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.
Paul Magne Haakonsen Well, you know what you are in for with a movie such as "Relative Strangers". And with that being said, this movie follows the how-to-make-a-comedy script-book page by page. As such, the movie is very generic and predictable.That being said, I will say that the movie is still enjoyable for what it is. There are some fun situations here and there, and there are some nice enough laughs throughout the movie. And there is just enough awkward situations to make it enjoyable enough to sit through to the end of the movie.What really saves the movie is the cast. Danny DeVito can be somewhat of an acquired taste, but he did pull this off well enough. Kathy Bates was very well-cast for this movie. I had some reservations about Ron Livingston and Neve Campbell, but they both genuinely surprised me in a good way."Relative Strangers" is the type of movie that you watch once, then bag and tag it, most likely never to watch it again. Director Greg Glienna managed to muster but a mediocre comedy here.
Amy Adler Dr. Richard Clayton (Ron Livingston) seems to be living the perfect life. He is a successful psychologist-turned-writer and his latest book on anger management is doing well. In addition, he is engaged to a beautiful, kind lady, Ellen (Neve Campbell) and they share a lovely home. But one day his disgruntled, slacker brother drops the A-bomb, that is, he informs his bro that he, Richard, is the adopted sibling of the family. Richie's snobby parents (Edward Hermann and Christine Baranski) concede that it is true but that it made no difference in their love for him or his brother. Yet, Richard is stunned and suddenly curious. At Ellen's urging, he begins a search for his birth parents. Soon after, Frank (Danny DeVito) and Agnes Menure (Kathy Bates) arrive on the doc's doorstep and announce that they are his true father and mother. It is a shock, as the Menures are ex-carnies, live in a trailer park, and sell pest control products to support themselves. And, while they are lively, interesting folks, Frank and Agnes are definitely a bit uncouth as it were. Richard is forelorn and his unhappiness grows each day the Menures extend their visit to Richie's home. Can they all really belong to the same gene pool? This is a funny film, distinctively enhanced by the terrific cast. Livingston is just right as the confused, disgruntled doctor while Campbell is lovely and sweet as the supportive fiancé. As for DeVito and Bates, they chew up the screen with their humorous, outrageous turns as the far-from-refined folks who, nevertheless, may have bigger hearts than most. All of the niceties of film-making, from costumes to sets to camera work, are first rate, too. If you are looking for mirth on an upcoming film night, give this one a whirl. It is definitely no stranger to comedy, as a viewing will result in big smiles for everyone.
burnor-1 A 10 for a comedy. Yes a wonderfully delightful film. Danny DiVito and Kathy Bates were fantastic. It was a movie that took a wonderful look at the snobs in this world and how in reality most of us have people in our families that are more like the Manure's. I sure do, and yes sometimes I am a little embarrassed. But when i comes down to it. They are the genuine most loving people and the ones that truly stand by you. I can not believe how wonderful Kathy Bates was and what an actress she is that she can do so many different parts. What a hoot she is. I had a bunch of people over and we watched this video and we went out of our minds laughing and I have not had a laugh like this in a long time and did it ever feel good. I do not know why this was not out in the theaters more. They should run it again through the theaters. I have got to say it was wonderful and a truly must see film. Neve Cambell and Ron Livingston were sweet but it was really the rest of the cast that stole the show and I mean they stole it. I do not know who these ones that gave it a bad review are but, then again I saw lots of great reviews for "For Your Consideration" and that one hardly had a chuckle. And Beverly D'Angelo I did not even know who she was, and she was great. So was Christine Baranski, and this time she was so good with just letting you know with her facial expressions.
Fredmovieguy I had the pleasure of seeing this film at a sneak preview in Los Angeles earlier this year and have been waiting to see it's release here in the US. Apparently, it's being released overseas which is a shame as it would seem to go over better in America being so..American. This film was just a lot of fun. Danny DeVito and Kathy Bates play the white-trash birth parents of Ron Livingston, an uptight self help author. His fiancée is played by the incredibly sexy Neve Campbell who I could watch in anything. DeVito and Bates characters are very broad, almost cartoons but by the end of the film you really feel they are real people and the film packs an emotional punch that was really unexpected. Along the way are some hilarious scenes..Bates and DeVito are a great team! I loved the talk show appearance where his parents unexpectedly (of course) show up and he loses it. It seems like so many films have to be about something deep and have a cynical edge nowadays but this film was just fun to watch and left me smiling at the end. The audience I saw it with exploded with laughs frequently through out. I can imagine this film is not for every taste but if you can relax and just enjoy a feel good, fun comedy, I recommend this film highly