The basic premise of this movie - a mobster getting into comic hijinks while in witness protection - isn't a new one (think of the Steve Martin movie "My Blue Heaven"), but it could have worked again, especially with the capable cast the producers were able to wrangle up. But pretty much every aspect of the movie manages to be screwed up. Although the movie attempts to be a comedy, it sure doesn't feel like one. One reason for that is that the level of humor here doesn't go for big laughs, but instead tries to be "cute" instead. That might have been okay, except for the fact that these "cute" moments more often than not come across as harsh and mean spirited. There is a considerable amount of violence on display (especially in the climax), and the bloodshed and broken bones are so jarring that one can't possibly be charmed or tickled by the movie. It's all capped off with a final scene that really doesn't tie things up very well, and leaves the viewer kind of hanging and frustrated. Maybe the producers were thinking of making a sequel, but I'm sure glad that never happened.
Review of The Family
