'Everybody's Fine'

'Everybody's Fine' (PG-13) ***

Writer and Director: Kirk Jones
Starring: Robert Deniro, Sam Rockwell, Drew Barrymore, Kate Beckinsale, Melissa Leo

"Everybody's Fine" is a tearjerker that I should feel manipulated by but something struck a chord in me and I fell for this very light drama. Robert Deniro gives one of his best performances in a long time as a father and widower who wants to have his family join him for dinner at one table. Each child calls him to let him know that they can't come for various reasons so he decides to travel to them. He visits each one as he travels from train to bus to truck across the country to surprise each kid. The three children are played well by Kate Beckinsale (an under rated actress), Sam Rockwell (building a great acting career)and Drew Barrymore who again has an infectious charm and smile in everything she is in. We found out a lot of little secrets along the way and if you are smart you can figure out all the plot developments ahead of time. The movie is a little predictable but the acting and easy going nature of the movie hook you in. Deniro has made a lot of goofy comedies and movies that were unintentionally funny but here he is back in serious acting mode. He gives a touching, quiet and understated performance that betters the movie. There is also a nice small performance by Melissa Leo as a trucker who gives Deniro a ride. I felt in the beginning that my strings were being pulled and that I was watching a Lifetime movie on cable. I could also do without every time Deniro sees his adult children they turn into the younger version of themselves but then something got to me. The movie turns out to be a touching drama about the pressure parents put on children to be happy and successful and how sometimes not every thing works out for the best. Many people have had dreams and goals and sometimes they don't happen and we disappoint ourselves and family. This is a nice drama that turns out to say a lot and all the acting is very fine indeed.