It Runs in the Family

PG-13

Released Apr 25, 2003

1 hr. 49 min.

Comedy

Drama

List

29%

99 Reviews

Tomatometer

29%

5,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

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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Critics Consensus

Despite its gimmick casting, the movie ultimately goes nowhere.

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Kyle M

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)

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/31/23

Full Review

heather l

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.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

kevin c

The Douglas family decided to get together and make a movie about a dysfunctional family and the three generations of men and their problems. Michael Douglas, Kirk Douglas, Cameron Douglas an Diana Douglas make up the Douglas part of the cast, rounded out by Bernadette Peters, Rory Culkin and Michelle Monaghan. Expected a bit more from this, but it was still pretty entertaining.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

steve d

Seeing the family act together is all it has.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

ashley h

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.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

william s

Nice to see Kirk Douglas again but did I have to sit through this bomb to do it.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

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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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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Disappointing story of a dysfunctional family.

Rated: 2/5

Dec 24, 2010

Full Review

Jamie Russell

BBC.com

Rated: 1/5

Sep 3, 2003

Full Review

Sara Michelle Fetters

MovieFreak.com

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.

Rated: 3/4

Jun 19, 2003

Full Review

Joel Siegel

Good Morning America

It makes you laugh, makes you cry, what more can you want from a movie?

Rated: B+

Feb 7, 2020

Full Review

Ryan Cracknell

Apollo Guide

Even though it flaunts its wealth, It Runs in the Family is a worthy tribute to all things Douglas.

Rated: 71/100

Jul 7, 2004

Full Review

Brian Gibson

Vue Weekly (Edmonton, Alberta)

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.

Dec 1, 2003

Full Review

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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
Executive Producer: Michael Douglas, Kerry Orent, 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
Sound Mix: Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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