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Although the concept was previously explored in Guiseppe Tornatore's "Stanno Tutti Bene", "Everybody's Fine" is a fresh approach to the father-family genre and is especially enjoyable around the Christmas holidays but is fun any time of year. Frank Goode (Robert DeNiro) retired from a factory job and is a recent widower. This is a different sort of role for DeNiro and he handles it well. His children are scattered over the country and he hasn't seen them since his wife died, so Dad has invited everyone to a summer reunion. As the film opens, Perry Como's "Catch a Falling Star" plays as he is preparing by cleaning house, getting the yard in shape, grocery shopping, and buying and assembling a new grill. The opening scene made such an impact on me that I now routinely sing that same song while mowing. It doesn't take long before he gets disappointing calls 1 by 1 expressing regrets that none of the kids will make the reunion. Undaunted, Frank plans a trip to visit each where they live. His work environment resulted in a lung condition which prevents him from flying, so he plans the trip by train and bus. The first leg, from Stamford, CT to NYC via Amtrak is especially serene. Frank's friendly, outgoing personality makes the train trip a warm fuzzy experience, and it is here that we learn that his job was putting PVC insulation on telephone wire. Those wires are a recurring theme throughout the picture and are used in several ways. To me, this thread of continuity is the mark of an outstanding director. His stops include NYC to visit David the artist; Chicago, advertising exec Amy (Kate Beckinsale); Denver, Robert (Sam Rockwell) the symphony conductor; and finally Las Vegas, Rosie (Drew Barrymore)the dancer. In a variation of a technique used on "Cold Case", Frank alternately sees his offspring as young children and as adults. He prides that he pushed them all to achieve lofty aspirations and they have all told him that they indeed have. Of course, "Everybody's Fine" makes the point that there's nothing like on-site inspections to see what is really happening. Due to an unfortunate situation during a layover in Reno, in which he lost most of his medication, Frank is forced to cut short his visit with Rosie and fly home. This has disastrous consequences, but is a vehicle for some additional character development on all the kids. All is well in the end when the family reunites for the holidays, complete with Christmas tree, outdoor lights, and a turkey dinner. As Paul MaCartney's "I Want to Come Home" comes up, Frank observes that, in their own ways, everybody's fine. The DVD takes the film up a couple of notches with extended scenes and special features. One outtake "Book of Directions" is a real joy in which Frank talks about fatherhood with another man his age in the midst of a railroad yard. Then "The Making of I Want to Come Home" shows how McCartney conceived and composed a song appropriate for the picture and then integrated it into the score. He also offers insight as a father himself. Compared to another excellent movie, "Gran Torino", in which the central character is also a widowed father of about the same age, "Everybody's Fine", is considerably more upbeat, and has a much happier ending. "Everybody's Fine" was my favorite movie of 2009, and one I can watch over and over on DVD.Read full review
Originally made for VHS as Stanno Tutti Bene (Everybody's Fine) starring Marcello Mastroianni. Veteran actor Robert De Niro leads this all star cast in this drama about love and life. The movie takes place a year after his wife passes away. He is expecting all of his children to visit only they all call and say they are not going to make it. So De Niro decides to go see them. Along the way he discovers more then he bargained for about the lives his children are living and how much of those lives they are sharing with him. This is a great movie. De Niro fits this like a glove and it is one of his best performances. The movie also stars: Drew Barrymore, Kate Beckinsale, and Sam Rockwell If you love life and a good movie then get this one.
This movie hit home. We saw it last night. The seller went above & beyond for me. My kids live in CA - and we live in TX. Our daughter is too busy with her career and two daughters to visit us. Our son went to UT AUSTIN, STANFORD (ON A FULL SCHOLARSHIP) and he's too busy, too; although he did say he may visit us next month on his way to visit a friend. My husband, who is 63, is not in good health; and neither am I. I cried when I watched this movie. I loved this movie because it reminded me of us and our kids. We have to go to CA if we want to see them. It's sad when you raise your kids to the best of your ability, and then they occasionally remember they have a mom and dad. I always made time for my Mom, who was a widow; my career; attending college part time and selling real estate on weekends. I lived a few blocks from my Mom in New York. We saw the movie last night (from Netflix) and I know how DeNiro's character felt. Now that we're in our middle 60s, my husband has prostate cancer, and I have a bad case of diabetes. We will probably wind up in a nursing home-the kids will never offer us to stay with them. What has happened to the "good ole days"? As Christians, we have to accept God's plans for us.Read full review
Om goodness, this movie hit home. It’s sad but it really does happen to families. I’ve watched it twice already since it arrived last week. Good movie, good story line and good actors and actresses. I’m glad to add this movie to my collection.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Not exactly what I expected (cover says - 'Will move you to laughter and tears'.) I didn't laugh out loud, nor did I have tears. Some funny moments and some bittersweet moments. Overall, I liked the movie but didn't come up to expectations.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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