The Perfect Family (2012)
Average Rating: 5.4/10
Reviews Counted: 33
Fresh: 16 | Rotten: 17
No consensus yet.
Average Rating: 5/10
Critic Reviews: 16
Fresh: 6 | Rotten: 10
No consensus yet.
liked it
Average Rating: 3/5
User Ratings: 3,673
Movie Info
The Perfect Family stars Kathleen Turner as suburban mother and devout Catholic Eileen Cleary, who has always kept up appearances. When she runs for the Catholic Woman of the Year title at her local parish, her final test is introducing her family to the board for the seal of approval. Now she must finally face the nonconformist family she has been glossing over for years... -- (C) Variance Films
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Cast
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Kathleen Turner
Eileen Cleary -
Emily Deschanel
Shannon Cleary -
Jason Ritter
Frank Jr. -
Michael McGrady
Frank Cleary -
Shannon Cochran
Mary Donovan -
Sharon Lawrence
Agnes Dunn -
Angelique Cabral
Angela Reyes -
Richard Chamberlain
Monsignor Murphy -
Elizabeth Peña
Christina Reyes -
Gregory Zaragoza
Louis Reyes -
Kristen Dalton
Theresa Henessy -
Laura Ceron
Carmelita -
Scott Michael Campbell
Father Joe -
Hansford Rowe
Bishop Donnelly -
Rebecca Wackler
Sister Joan -
June Squibb
Mrs. Punch -
Bess Meisler
Greta Russert -
Mandy June Turpin
Susan O'Connor -
Joe Holt
Nurse
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All Critics (33) | Top Critics (16) | Fresh (16) | Rotten (17) | DVD (1)
It would be ripe territory for self-reflection if this sloppy debut from filmmaker Anne Renton weren't plagued with as much self-doubt and uncertainty as its lead Catholic.
Top CriticAt the most fundamental level, as a work of entertainment, it fails. Scenes meander pointlessly, beginning and ending without any change or story movement.
A moving story of a woman's attempt to keep pace in a world that's moving too quickly for her.
A leaden, ham-fisted affair that was exactly the sort of pap John Waters was spoofing when he cast Turner as a serial-killing soccer mom.
The film's gentle, sentimental approach prevents it from ever really getting at the pain that's been swirling around this imperfect family for years.
"The Perfect Family'' is Kathleen Turner's show. And when a series of crises forces Eileen to re-examine her values and beliefs, Turner rises magnificently to the occasion.
This Kathleen Turner vehicle is a stiff, a picture with so little urgency that it drags on like a sermon without end, with all the flavor of a communion wafer.
Turner is terrific, but The Perfect Family doesn't know quite what to do with her energy, eventually taking on so much surplus woe, there's no chance for a clean exit.
Hollywood generally avoids religion whenever possible. The Perfect Family, a sweet and touching indie comedy-drama, tackles the subject head-on without offending or alienating anyone.
A resolutely middle-of-the-road affair that never locates and communicates a very persuasive reason for its existence, or even a compelling dramatic throughline. A cinematic 'meh' if ever there were one.
Religion butts heads mercilessly with romance in this ironically titled dysfunctional family values dramedy. But the premeditated plot points are simply too blatantly stacked against traditional matrimonial tribes, in favor of idealized same sex unions.
In this dramedy, Kathleen Turner is sincerely sympathetic, as faith triumphs over religion.
This often amusing pro-gay comedy delivers a dysfunctional family and religious orthodoxy in extremis with a bright cast headed by a droll Kathleen Turner.
The trailers make it look like an irreverent, iconoclastic satire; in fact it's dramatic - when it isn't dull and obvious.
The movie teeters on the edge of caricature, but Kathleen Turner keeps it grounded and relatable.
An anodyne tale of family-centered acceptance that's neither comical when it wants to be nor touching when it strivers for pathos.
Turner's interactions with Deschanel are so much weightier than the rest of the film that the other storylines seem extraneous.
Audience Reviews for The Perfect Family
Super Reviewer
Super Reviewer
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- Eileen Cleary: I don't have to think! I'm a Catholic!
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- Eileen Cleary: It's a sin to boast.
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Movie: ID: 771237298 Title: The Perfect Family Release Date: 2012-05-04 00:00:00.0 MPAA: 3 Status: 1
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The mother is stricken with guilt over the sins she has commited in her past and present. She is in constant denial about the choices her family has made about their own lives and continues to live in this bliss until it all comes crumbling down around her.
The acting was semi good. Nothing to write the award shows about.
So in the end it was just OK for me."