A Family Affair

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A Family Affair

2001

1h 48m

Comedy

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Popcornmeter

31%

Tomatometer

13 Reviews

44%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

To escape from her lesbian lover, a cynical New Yorker (Helen Lesnick) moves to Southern California and meets another woman (Erica Shaffer).

Loren King

Chicago Tribune

Without the ready-made drama of coming out and identity struggle, gay romance can feel as flimsy and forced as its straight counterpart.

Rated: 2/4

May 29, 2003

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Michael Rechtshaffen

The Hollywood Reporter

Suffers from inexperienced filmmaking and a self-absorbed lead character who fails to elicit any truly tangible degree of audience sympathy.

May 18, 2003

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Kevin Thomas

Los Angeles Times

A serious romantic comedy of such strength and substance and so entertaining that it doesn't matter that its minuscule budget shows around the edges.

Rated: 4/5

May 8, 2003

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Samiya A. Bashir

Curve

A Family Affair is full of comic treats.

May 23, 2022

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 2/5

Nov 1, 2005

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Connie Ogle

Miami Herald

Lesnick's sharp eye for humor manages to keep things from getting too preachy.

Rated: 2.5/4

Jun 20, 2003

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Audience Member

I liked this film. Think of a NYC grrl moving out to Cali, adjusting to a new life, that includes a beautiful new gf, when her on-again, off-again ex of 13 yrs reenters the picture. I found the humor funny because it's typical NYC shtick, and I get Rachel. Everyone else didn't seem to like it much, but it's all a matter of perspective.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/01/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Actually didn't get past the first quarter of an hour, so maybe unfair of me to write a "movie" review, since it is more like a "snippet" review. Regardless, my optimistic belief that any and every film must have some redeeming features fell flat on this once since I truly didn't care whether the lead character Rachel, played by Helen Lesnick, found happiness or not. She's one of the most unattractive women I've ever seen - sorry, that's harsh I know, but nonetheless true, and is boring to boot. Don't bother wasting your time on this one.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

02/14/23

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Audience Member

just love family smile

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/01/23

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Audience Member

Lesnick, who over exaggerates her every facial gesture like a stand-up comic, would have benefited from having a director other than herself.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/25/23

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Audience Member

Sincere story, funny as well as touching. The acting is mixed though, it ranges from barely fair to good. Nicely written. Not always professionally made.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/30/23

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Audience Member

hilarious. a lesbian film with lotsa fun.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/23/23

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Helen Lesnick

Director

Helen Lesnick

Actor

Erica Shaffer

Actor

Arlene Golonka

Actor

Michele Greene

Actor

Michael Moerman

Actor

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Synopsis

To escape from her lesbian lover, a cynical New Yorker (Helen Lesnick) moves to Southern California and meets another woman (Erica Shaffer).

Director: Helen Lesnick
Screenwriter: Helen Lesnick
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Box Office (Gross USA): $41.5K
Runtime: 1h 48m