Destined to be a Christmas classic, Thomas Bezucha's dazzling dramedy, THE FAMILY STONE, manages to be both warmhearted and sentimental while possessing a razor-sharp hilarious mean streak. The fairly conventional story centers on Sarah Jessica Parker's uptight career woman, Meredith, and her run-in with the eponymous Stone family. With her permanently pursed lips and severe bun, SJP looks and acts the anti-Carrie Bradshaw here as, armed with cell phone and business-suit collection, she gears up to meet her fiance's oddball family, a tight-knit, colorful clan who border on bohemian. Matriarch Sybil (Diane Keaton) and patriarch Kelly (Craig T. Nelson) are a loving couple whose diverse children are affectionate and respectful. When Meredith's humorless aura infects the homestead, it is mom Sybil and sister Amy (Rachel McAdams), who sense a romantic mismatch and attack her venomously, sparking a tete-a-tete-a-tete between three feisty females. While this Battle Royal is waged, dramatic subplots brew in the background, one involving the deaf and gay brother Thad's desire to adopt a child, and the other a rather devastating secret on the verge of exposure. It is in the emergence of Meredith's refreshingly calm and breezy younger sister, Julie (Claire Danes), entering the film with a dramatic fall from a bus exit, that brings all conflict to a head.

Theatrical Release: December 12, 2005

DVD Features:

Region 1
Keep Case
Full Frame - 1.33
Audio:
Dolby Surround 5.1 - English
Dolby Surround - French, Spanish
Subtitles - English, Spanish - Optional
Additional Release Material:
Audio Commentary - 1. Sarah Jessica Parker, Dermot Mulroney - Stars
2. Thomas Bezucha - Director; Michael London - Producer; Jeffrey Ford - Editor
Behind the Scenes - 1. Featurette
2. "Fox Movie Channel presents Casting Session"
3. "Fox Movie Channel presents World Premiere"
4. "Inside Look: ICE AGE 2"
Deleted Scenes - With Optional Commentary (6)
Interviews - Cast Members (Q&A)
Outtakes - Gag Reel
Trailers - 1. Theatrical Trailer
2. CONFETTI
3. LITTLE MANHATTAN
4. JUST MY LUCK
Interactive Features:
Games - 1. Family Stone sings "It Came Upon A Midnight Clear"
2. Snow Globe Ambulance

Claire Danes: American Actress, LITTLE WOMEN (1994)
Diane Keaton: American Actress/director, LOOKING FOR MR. GOODBAR
Rachel McAdams: Actor, THE HOT CHICK (2002)
Sarah Jessica Parker: American Actress, SEX AND THE CITY
Dermot Mulroney: American Actor
Luke Wilson: Actor
Tyrone Giordano: 
Brian White: American Actor, ME & MRS. JONES (2001)
Elizabeth Reazer: 
Savannah Stehlin: 
Paul Schneider: Actor "George Washington"

Thomas Bezucha: Director, BIG EDEN (2001)

Michael London: Producer, THE GURU (2003)

3 stars out of 5 -- "Keaton, a sorceress at blending humor and heartbreak, honors the film with a grace that makes it stick in the memory."
"Parker has a great time being the anti-Carrie Bradshaw while Keaton-as-matriarch is a particular joy -- funny, beautiful, elegant, touching, and at ease..." -- Grade: B
"[S]tuffed with beguiling performances -- some of them unexpectedly good..."
"[I]ts offbeat mixture of highly choreographed comic crises and the occasional bite of reality make for an unexpectedly enticing blend."
"[It is] refreshing to see a modern update on the nuclear family..."