Movie Overview
The Family is a 2013 action-comedy directed by Luc Besson that offers a chaotic blend of mafia violence and suburban satire. Starring Robert De Niro and Michelle Pfeiffer, the film chronicles the adventures of the Manzoni family, a notorious Brooklyn mob clan. After betraying their associates, they are relocated under the Witness Protection Program to a sleepy village in Normandy, France. The plot focuses on their struggle to maintain a low profile, a task made nearly impossible by their ingrained criminal instincts and short tempers. As they terrorize the local populace while trying to appear like a normal family, they must also evade the ruthless mafia hitmen dispatched to silence them forever.
The cast is led by screen legends Robert De Niro and Michelle Pfeiffer, who play the family patriarch and matriarch, Giovanni and Maggie Manzoni. They are supported by Dianna Agron as their teenage daughter and John D'Leo as their son, each bringing their own flair for trouble to the dynamic. Directed by Luc Besson, known for high-octane films like *Léon: The Professional* and *Taken*, The Family carries his signature stylized action but leans heavily into dark humor. The production background highlights a collaboration between French, British, and American studios, resulting in a multilingual film that contrasts the gritty American mob genre with the picturesque backdrop of rural France.
In terms of tone, The Family oscillates between brutal violence and family comedy, exploring themes of identity, redemption, and the inescapable nature of one's upbringing. The critical reception was mixed, holding a low 28% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a score of 42/100 on Metacritic. While some critics found the tonal shifts jarring, others appreciated the performances of the lead cast. Despite the lukewarm reviews, the film garnered some recognition, securing 1 win and 1 nomination at various award ceremonies. For viewers looking to watch online, The Family provides a unique entry in the Netflix comedy catalog. If you enjoy crime capers that do not take themselves too seriously, this movie is worth a watch.
