Home for the Holidays, Cover may vary

I just watched this movie for the first time. I have to admit that I thought a couple of times about stopping it in the middle, and not watching the whole thing. I was thinking to myself, "What is it that people like about movies about dysfunctional families?" Well, it kind of all comes together in the end. Or, maybe it is just that by the end you finally get the point of the movie. (In fact, the chapters of the movie are separated by titles that appear on the screen, and the last chapter is entitled: "The Point." But I didn't think about it so much when I was watching it the first time.)Something rare happens in this movie that doesn't often happen in ensemble cast movies. Holly Hunter's character at one point says, "When you go home, do you look around and wonder, 'Who ARE these people?'" In fact, each and every member of the cast has their character's story told in depth, and we the viewers get to know "who they are." The acting is fantastic!Indeed, I think this is what helped me get through the movie. While at points I thought it was a bit torturous to watch a dysfunctional family go through the motions of trying to get along for the holidays, it really made me think about my own life and my own family. Isn't that one of the main reasons you might enjoy a movie? There were funny moments, sad moments, contemplative moments, crazy moments, and all the other kinds of moments that make up real life.Anyway, at the end of the movie, when it gets to people thinking about their lives, it really made me think about my own life and my own family. I believe that this is why I really liked the movie. And I will definitely watch it again.Watching the movie a second time with the commentary by Jodie Foster was as much fun, if not funner, than watching the movie the first time. She explains many of the parts of the movie that I didn't stop and think about the first time I watched it. I wonder exactly how autobiographical the movie really is for her.

I love this movie. This is just like my family was; we’re all older now. Especially with The women preferring the food they personally cooked. Chaos and football in the street. Brothers invading the bathroom when sis is in there. Seeing people you knew from high school 20 years later. It’s a hoot!

"Home for the Holidays" is a quiet, fun little film that I dust off once or twice a year (usually around Thanksgiving!) and sit back and absolutely enjoy. It's become a comfort film for me, one of honesty, predictability, and enjoyment. It's a wonder more people haven't discovered this mini-classic.Holly Hunter plays Claudia, a forty year old woman forced to endure calamity after calamity on her way to her parent's house for the Thanksgiving holiday. Hunter has her role sewn up from the moment we see her; she encapsulates Claudia and makes her very real as she is conforted with mini-nightmares. These problems plague her, only to define her life as unrealized, possibly misdirected. That Hunter refuses to play her as a sack sad, or someone pitiful, is a testament to her understanding of Claudia.The script avoids usual the "family cliches" by showing us a dysfunctional family that functions quite well. Gay brother Tommy, so perfectly mastered by Robert Downey Jr., always the family clown, removes his "make-up" and shows incredible sensitivity when he rescues his sister from her holiday horror. Dylan McDermott charms his way quietly as Leo Fish, and you believe his sincerity towards Claudia. Cynthnia Stevenson and Steve Guttenberg rock as the high strung power couple so insistent on perfection in their imperfect lives. And the wonderful Charles Durning and Anne Bancroft as the parents, so beleaguered, so joyful, so real.While the performances shine, the script shines even brighter, offering little solutions with much insight. You understand Claudia's trauams, but know that none of them are resolvable within a two hour film, and that's ok. Even the ending, which suggests that even daring to dream is enough, is absolutely perfect for this film. A less experienced screenwriter would have fallen into the cliche trap and wrapped everything up in a neat bow, which this film suggests, is simply not possible."Home for the Holidays" is a signature piece by Jodie Foster, one that people who enjoy a truly good film won't be there to pass up. I hope Foster follows up by directing more classics such as this; American cinema would be better for it.

As for the movie, it's one of my all-time favorite comedies, hands down! The reason for a less than perfect rating is for the actual physical DVD and case. As soon as I pulled it from the package I heard the familiar rattle of a loose DVD and sure enough, the holding spindle was broken and the disc was free. Usually that's not a big deal but this time it caused a rather deep scratch on the disc. Luckily, I have one of those waxy DVD/CD repair sticks that worked because otherwise I would have had to return it. I know this is a common issue but I was rather surprised that Amazon sent it anyway as anyone handling this would have heard the loose DVD.

A great cast, a well written story and a great director in Jodie Foster. All the ingredients of a fantastic D.V.D. Holly Hunter plays the role of a woman who comes home to her slightly crazy family for Thanksgiving and the interaction between the various family members, provides some great comedy, highlights the relationships within the family and brings some issues to the surface. The family are in fact typical of most real life situations, I said slightly crazy, but no more than most. It's a great film, well worth seeing if you have never done so.

I really love this film and decided I had to get it. Brilliant price, and fantastic speedy delivery. Well done

a great film

one of my fav films to watch at xmas, but i cant see it as its a region 1. thought it would be ok as i have another film thats is region 1 and that plays fine. this one dos,nt. holly hunter at her best and anne bancroft as her mum its just great comedy.

Adoro il film, registrato in vhs tanti anni fa dalla tv, e fidandomi dell'edizione europea (Germania) ho acquistato il dvd, ben conscio che non ci sarebbe stato l'audio italiano, ma almeno avrei potuto godere della recitazione straordinaria di un simile cast in lingua originale. Ebbene, il dvd, oltre a non essere nell'edizione raffigurata nell'immagine di presentazione (ma è comunque una recente ristampa della MGM, con una pessima copertina), è editato nella famigerata Regione 1 che ne impedisce la visione nei lettori dvd europei. Ovviamente in Italia il film non è mai uscito in home video, un vero peccato.