Review: ‘The Family Stone’
This movie is a staple in my home every year. Like slipping on your favorite Christmas sweater, The Family Stone is a film that’s sure to make you feel like you’re coming home for the holidays. Revolving around a slightly dysfunctional family rich with diverse personalities, the film really gives you a warm, comforting feel, while also exhibiting often relatable family holiday squabbles. The juxtaposition between the sentimentality and complication of family holidays can feel especially familiar for some, and not everyone will enjoy the attitudes of the family in general. However, there’s something to be said for traditionally unlikeable characters- or characters with unlikeable tendencies- that can inspire emotion and empathy from the viewer, and despite the Stone family’s seemingly high opinion of themselves, this cast manages to convey that.
As far as diversity itself goes, The Family Stone does make an attempt- albeit fairly awkward and a little lazy. Meredith, a white woman, is the main character. The Stones do have a deaf son, Thad (portrayed by actual deaf actor Tyrone Goirdano) who is in a relationship with Patrick (portrayed by Black actor Brian J. White). Their chemistry is believable and their portrayal is fair, although they’re only minor characters in a primarily white and straight cast.
Overall, it’s a personal favorite Christmas movie and I recommend giving it a watch around the holiday season. I’ve given The Family Stone an Incluvie score of 3.5 stars for having a woman as the main character, and for the slightly awkward but well-intended inclusion of a deaf man and a POC.
