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The Talent Given Us

Play trailer Poster for The Talent Given Us Released Jun 17, 2004 1h 38m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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58% Tomatometer 50 Reviews 46% Popcornmeter 100+ Ratings
Filmmaker Andrew Wagner cast his own mother, father and sisters to portray themselves in this film, which is partially based on their own experiences. Elderly New Yorkers Judy and Allen Wagner wish they were closer to their son, Andrew, who is currently trying to make his mark in Hollywood. The couple drag their adult daughters, Maggie and Emily, along with them on an odyssey across the United States to reunite with Andrew. Along the way, the family's regrets and secrets begin to surface.
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The Talent Given Us

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Critics Consensus

The Talent Given Us is an odd hybrid of reality and fiction, but works due to its engaging characters.

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Critics Reviews

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Damon Smith Time Out Faux documentary, home movie or unexpurgated family therapy? The Talent Given Us, a funny, surprising ride with a mercurial New York clan, is all three. Oct 13, 2005 Full Review Christopher Kelly Fort Worth Star-Telegram/DFW.com [A] one-of-a-kind movie that sends the family road-trip genre happily spinning into these self-obsessed, overanalytical times; it's National Lampoon's Vacation as re-imagined by Dr. Phil. Rated: B+ Oct 13, 2005 Full Review Shauna Lyon New Yorker The notion that there is no escape from one's family is elevated-and ameliorated-by the inkling that the Wagners' story is, in fact, real. Oct 13, 2005 Full Review Felix Vasquez Jr. Cinema Crazed It's a self-indulgent, utterly painful film that attempts to explore all sorts of genres, but it fails. Apr 29, 2009 Full Review Doris Toumarkine Film Journal International The ranting, whining, kvetching, self-involved family begins to outstay its welcome [...] so that time spent with them can feel like entrapment at a raucous bar mitzvah reception. Mar 1, 2007 Full Review Film Threat Rated: 4/5 Dec 6, 2005 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member An engaging, often hilarious family portrait that seamlessly blends reality and fiction. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Audience Member Filmed like a documentary, but some decently-scripted performances are on display... if you can get past a lot of whining. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/28/23 Full Review Audience Member India from friend Andrew Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/09/23 Full Review Audience Member These characters explode off the screen. There's a very blurry line between what's real and what's not and I enjoyed that. RIYL: Arrested Development, Curb Your Enthusiasm. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/02/23 Full Review Audience Member From my perspective, to become interested in the movie, you have to be interested in the characters... There was really nothing about the characters I wanted to become interested in... Rated 1 out of 5 stars 02/07/23 Full Review Audience Member Indie feature continually walks the line between poignant character study and obnoxious dysfunctional family comedy - with very mixed results. The performances by the non-actor cast bring a raw honesty of fully-realized characters that you see in very few other films. On the other hand, these characters - as real as they me be - are so annoying, their 90 minute road trip feels like hours of screeching and inane banter. Some of the twists in the loose plot and the broad characterization of the one of the sisters feels very contrived, and it's never really all that funny - but it's still almost worth watching for the naturalistic performances. The generic upbeat score seems out of place and ruins several scenes. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/28/23 Full Review Read all reviews
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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis Filmmaker Andrew Wagner cast his own mother, father and sisters to portray themselves in this film, which is partially based on their own experiences. Elderly New Yorkers Judy and Allen Wagner wish they were closer to their son, Andrew, who is currently trying to make his mark in Hollywood. The couple drag their adult daughters, Maggie and Emily, along with them on an odyssey across the United States to reunite with Andrew. Along the way, the family's regrets and secrets begin to surface.
Director
Andrew Wagner
Producer
Andrew Wagner
Screenwriter
Andrew Wagner
Distributor
Daddy W. Productions
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 17, 2004, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 14, 2014
Runtime
1h 38m
Sound Mix
Stereo
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