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Robert Duvall, James Earl Jones, Michael Beach, Irma P. Hall, Grace Zabriskie ... see more see more... , Regina Taylor , Xander Berkeley , Wanda Christine , James N. Harrell , Willo Hausman , Roy Hytower , Mary Jackson , Don James , Paula Marshall , Antoine Roshell , Rufus Thomas , David Keith , Meg Thalken , David Spenser , Tony Brown

In this family drama, a white Southerner discovers that his family history isn't what he thought it was -- with the fact that he's half-black only one of his many surprises. Earl Pilcher, Jr. (Robert ... read more read more...Duvall) runs a gas station in Arkansas; he's a typical middle-aged Southern man who likes his pickup truck and loves his momma. Shortly after his mother's death, he receives some very unexpected news; she wasn't really his mother after all. It seems that years ago, Earl Sr. (James N. Harrell) raped the family's African-American maid, Willie Mae, who nine months later died while giving birth to Earl Jr. To avoid further scandal, Mrs. Pilcher simply raised Earl Jr. as her own. While the family has kept the matter a secret all these years, Earl Jr. has a half-brother living in Chicago, and it was his mother's wish that the two should some day meet and become friends. Earl travels to Chicago and tracks down Ray Murdock (James Earl Jones), a veteran police officer and Willie Mae's other son. Earl Jr. quickly learns that Ray has little interest in getting to know him better; he knows all the facts behind the matter, and he's always blamed Earl for the death of his mother. However, Earl Jr. isn't used to life in a big city up north, and after he's mugged and carjacked, Ray grudgingly takes in his half-brother, letting him stay in the home he shares with his son Virgil (Michael Beach) and Aunt T. (Irma P. Hall), who raised Ray as a boy. A Family Thing was written by Billy Bob Thornton shortly before his breakthrough as writer, director, and star of Sling Blade. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Flixster Users

62% liked it

2,451 ratings

Critics

73% liked it

22 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 49 min.

Directed by: Richard Pearce

Release Date: March 29, 1996

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DVD Release Date: May 8, 2001

Stats: 89 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (89)

  • ileo
    January 27, 2008
    ileo
    Great movie.
  • mistachy
    November 10, 2010
    mistachy
    This is one of the best dramas I've seen to date. A Caucasian man finds out that his real mother is black and that he has a black brother as well, and that's when the intrigue really kicks in. This movie was very interesting and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It told such a warm heartf... read moreelt story and everyone put on a good performance.
  • clooneyfan
    February 7, 2009
    clooneyfan
    Imagine being a 60 year old white man. After your mother dies, she leaves you a letter telling you that your father raped the black servant and you are really her birth child.

    Robert Duvall and James Earl Jones were perfect in this!
  • BettyWhaCknUt
    October 27, 2008
    BettyWhaCknUt
    a film that makes you realize that we can all get together if we just put our differences behind us.
  • splittailluvr
    November 12, 2006
    splittailluvr
    Talk about 'Guess Who's Coming To Dinner' this is not that bad of a movie about aging race relations between Robert Duvall and James Earl Jones.

View All A Family Thing Reviews

Critic Reviews

Susan Wloszczyna
January 1, 2000
Susan Wloszczyna, USA Today

It's likely to be overrated by some and underrated by others, and both contingents will be wrong. One can't, however, overrate the performances, with auntie ruling the roost in more ways than one.

Lori Hoffman
August 17, 2006
Lori Hoffman, Atlantic City Weekly

Underrated family drama; Duvall and Jones are terrific

James Sanford
August 4, 2003
James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette

A just-OK teaming of two major talents

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
August 27, 2002
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice

Uplifting film that celebrates the ties that link people together despite vast differences. Full Review

Brian Webster
January 1, 2000
Brian Webster, Apollo Guide

Restrained, thoughtful, and ultimately very successful. Full Review

Steve Rhodes
January 1, 2000
Steve Rhodes, Internet Reviews

A poignant and beautifully life affirming film. Full Review

Godfrey Cheshire
January 23, 2009
Godfrey Cheshire, Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

Stephen Holden
August 30, 2004
Stephen Holden, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Peter Stack
June 18, 2002
Peter Stack, San Francisco Chronicle

Click to read the article Full Review

Kenneth Turan
February 14, 2001
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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A Family Thing Trivia

  • Kathy Bates acted in all of the following films EXCEPT:  Answer »
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