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It Runs in the Family

Play trailer Poster for It Runs in the Family PG-13 2003 1h 49m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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30% Tomatometer 96 Reviews 29% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
Three generations of males -- grandfather Mitch Gromberg (Kirk Douglas), son Alex (Michael Douglas) and grandson Asher (Cameron Douglas) -- try to chart their way through personal upheavals and come together after Mitch suffers a stroke. Alex, a womanizer going through a midlife crisis and fearing he's become like his neglectful father, attempts to save Asher from a life of drugs. None of them wanted to turn into their fathers, but it'll take a lot more than wishes to heal the damage done.
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It Runs in the Family

It Runs in the Family

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Critics Consensus

Despite its gimmick casting, the movie ultimately goes nowhere.

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Critics Reviews

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Nell Minow Common Sense Media 12/24/2010
2/5
Disappointing story of a dysfunctional family. Go to Full Review Sara Michelle Fetters MovieFreak.com 06/19/2003
3/4
Trying to figure out what's going to happen day-by-day and planning for life's twists and turns is the best a person can ask for. Go to Full Review Rex Reed Observer 05/01/2003
A funny, articulate, imperfect, sometimes messy, often infuriatingly sentimental, but always caring and spirited movie. Go to Full Review Joel Siegel Good Morning America 02/07/2020
B+
It makes you laugh, makes you cry, what more can you want from a movie? Go to Full Review Ryan Cracknell Apollo Guide 07/07/2004
71/100
Even though it flaunts its wealth, It Runs in the Family is a worthy tribute to all things Douglas. Go to Full Review Brian Gibson Vue Weekly (Edmonton, Alberta) 12/01/2003
Like those family albums you take out of the drawer every so often...a collection of fairly bland scenes that mean a lot more to the people in the picture than anyone else. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Kyle M 01/31/2023 The only takeaway from this is that the narrative is a glimpsed slice of life into a broken family drama, whether it mainly depresses for subtle melodrama or eventually lightens by conventional appeal, which was less of a focus, emotionally sympathized by the mostly real-life familial dynamics, a rare gimmick that successfully sold the picture despite little resolve besides being a performative showcase. (B) See more heather l 05/02/2021 I happened upon this movie on tubi, a disconnected approach that tried to copy on golden pond, and failed miserably. There was no humour just one disaster after another, selfish child, egocentric father, the highlights of aging and the bravery it takes to move forward in one's life and accept aging. Epic fail highlighting subpare acting. See more steve d 06/29/2020 Seeing the family act together is all it has. See more ashley h @ashleyhobgood87 09/10/2016 It Runs in the Family is a funny film. It is about the story of a dysfunctional New York family, and their attempts to reconcile. Kirk Douglas and Michael Douglas give incredible performances. The script is well written. Fred Schepisi did a great job directing this movie. I enjoyed watching this motion picture because of the humor and romance. It Runs in the Family is a must see. See more 07/12/2014 It was not a good film. Hard to watch. Awkward and stiff See more 04/24/2013 quite good movie about family with lots of problems and unspoken emotions... See more Read all reviews
It Runs in the Family

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Cast & Crew

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Fred Schepisi

Director

Michael Douglas

Alex Gromberg

Kirk Douglas

Mitchell Gromberg

Rory Culkin

Eli Gromberg

Cameron Douglas

Asher Gromberg

Diana Douglas

Evelyn Gromberg

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It Runs in the Family

MICHAEL DOUGLAS and BERNADETTE PETERS star as husband and wife Alex and Rebecca Gromberg in MGM Pictures' IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY. Former real-life couple KIRK DOUGLAS and DIANA DOUGLAS star as husband and wife Mitchell and Evelyn Gromberg in MGM Pictures' IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY. Father and son KIRK DOUGLAS (as Mitchell, seated) and MICHAEL DOUGLAS (as Alex) star onscreen together for the first time in their remarkable careers in MGM Pictures' IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY. Three generations of the Gromberg family - Mitchell, Alex, and Asher (left to right) - are played by three generations of the Douglas family - KIRK DOUGLAS, MICHAEL DOUGLAS, and CAMERON DOUGLAS. Father and son KIRK DOUGLAS (as Mitchell Gromberg) and MICHAEL DOUGLAS (as Alex Gromberg) star onscreen together for the first time in their remarkable careers in MGM Pictures' IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY. MICHAEL DOUGLAS stars as lawyer Mitchell Gromberg in MGM Pictures' IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY. Acclaimed director FRED SCHEPISI discusses a scene with KIRK DOUGLAS and MICHAEL DOUGLAS while filming MGM Pictures' IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY. Father and son KIRK DOUGLAS (as Mitchell Gromberg) and MICHAEL DOUGLAS (as Alex Gromberg) star onscreen together for the first time in their remarkable careers in MGM Pictures' IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY. Husband and wife Alex and Rebecca Gromberg (MICHAEL DOUGLAS and BERNADETTE PETERS) examine their marriage in MGM Pictures' IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY. BERNADETTE PETERS stars as wife and mother Rebecca Gromberg in MGM Pictures' IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY. View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Three generations of males -- grandfather Mitch Gromberg (Kirk Douglas), son Alex (Michael Douglas) and grandson Asher (Cameron Douglas) -- try to chart their way through personal upheavals and come together after Mitch suffers a stroke. Alex, a womanizer going through a midlife crisis and fearing he's become like his neglectful father, attempts to save Asher from a life of drugs. None of them wanted to turn into their fathers, but it'll take a lot more than wishes to heal the damage done.
Director
Fred Schepisi
Screenwriter
Jesse Wigutow
Distributor
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Production Co
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Rating
PG-13 (Language|Drug Content|Sexual Material)
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Apr 25, 2003, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 16, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA)
$7.4M
Runtime
1h 49m
Sound Mix
Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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