They Are Part of ONE BIG HAPPY FAMILY (Review)
Coming to theatres from director Matt Sohn and Electric Entertainment comes a relatable story about family and what that really is when trying to be ONE BIG HAPPY FAMILY.
Actress Rachel (Lisa Brenner) is celebrating her 40th birthday and planning daughter Sammie’s (Lumi Pollack) bat mitzvah. It doesn’t help that young daughter Amanda (Dylan Chance) and husband Marcus (Dante Basco) are the eternal optimist pep squad! While hanging out with bestie Gerry (Sabrina Cofield), she asks Rachel if has taken a look at the DNA test they took together. That being said almost immediately the results are in and Rachel’s Jewish heart doesn’t believe what she’s seeing. Apparently, she has a grandfather the same age as she is left with the only choice – to call mom Lenore (Linda Lavin) to ask what she knows but instead gets the Jewish mom response which is frustrating.
Deciding to talk with sister Sara (Kat Cunningham), the happy go lucky musician, Rachel is thrilled that she is going to take the test as well. The only other option is to talk to “grandpa” Bobby (Josh Fadem) to see what he knows about it all even though Rachel isn’t as thrilled as Bobby seems to be. All of this is just adding fuel to Rachel’s in-the-red stress level but no time to deal with it because she has to pick up mom from the airport. The ride takes a turn when Lenore admits a family secret to Rachel and the tailspin begins.
Now, Rachel and Lenore decide to follow the road into the past to discover what it truly means to be a family.
Brenner as Rachel is a over-reactive, neurotic, self-absorbed woman in the middle of a Jewish crisis. Believing that she now has no identity, it is emotional mayhem every step she takes. Wishing she could be more carefree like Sara or even as clever as mom Lenore, she feels that her life is one big lie. Brenner rides the rollercoaster of madness and it is a reminder that families are complicated. Lavin as mom Lenore is absolutely hilarious as she explains things with a what’s-the-problem? attitude and brushes things off with ease. I absolutely love her line delivery while be able to give goo-goo eyes at the same time. Lavin continued to be a star in her own right with her passing in 2024. Her comedic timing can be seen in the 1976 series ALICE which ran for nine seasons and still remains one of my favorite television shows.
Basco as Marcus is Rachel’s husband and a doctor who has all the optimism in the world for just about everything. If Basco seems familiar, well hope into your time machine and hit 1991 and you will see him as the young and slightly arrogant Rufio in the film HOOK with Robin Williams. As Marcus, he is a supportive husband and loving dad who tries to keep Rachel’s meltdowns to a minimum. Fadem as Bobby is a man who is thrilled at the idea of having a sister, even if she’s a little hard to handle. Fadem is such a calm, laid back dude who goes along to get along.
Cunningham as Sara is a mixture of Lenore and Rachel with the attitude of a hippie but the reaction of a crazed little sister. She adds the cherry on the frosted chaotic babka! Chance as Amanda is absolutely charming as is Pollack as Sammie. Both are seeing the adults act a little crazy yet they stay cute and cut ups. Cofield as Gerry is the one responsible for starting all the madness but is a supportive friend adding another layer of charm.
Other cast include Lydia Carter as young Rachel, Mark Parker as Jacob, Vincent Vargas as Javi, Kassandra Mahea as Denise, Charla Bocchicchio as Rabbi Josephine, Dave Martinez as Pablo, Keri Jackson as Quiet Jimmy, Sean Dillingham as Douglas Franklin and Tim Russ as Lawrence.
Electric Entertainment develops and produces full-length feature films which have included BAD SAMARITAN starring David Tennant and Robert Sheehan, the award-winning film SAY MY NAME starring Lisa Brenner and Nick Blood as well as the critically acclaimed documentary WHO KILLED THE ELECTRIC CAR? Most recently, Sumalee Montano and Emma Fischer star in THE DEAL. For more of what they have to offer please visit www.electricentertainment.com.
ONE BIG HAPPY FAMILY is actually a film I was looking forward to seeing. I’ve spent the past few years doing my own family tree after DNA test and trust me when I say it has been one jaw drop after another. I totally understood Rachel’s reaction and even understood her neurosis although once I got past a few generations, it becomes more like history than my own history. This film gave me reason to laugh understanding that families are more complicated with technology as secrets come to the surface.
The cast is an amazing mixture of personalities and reactionaries that are so different yet fit right in with each other. The film is fun, funny, heartwarming and a bit crazy in all the right ways. It feels as if director Sohn let the story flow effortlessly but that isn’t surprising as has worked on such fun shows as The Office, Parks and Recreation and Brooklyn Nine-Nine, all of which are hilarious. ONE BIG HAPPY FAMILY was the Official Selection at the Miami Jewish Film Festival, Phoenix Film Festival, Rehoboth Beach Jewish Film Festival and the Albuquerque Jewish Film Festival.
So gather together and discover the twists and turns of Rachel’s family which will make you appreciate the craziness of your own.
In the end – every family has their secrets!
Link to article: https://www.militarypress.com/they-are-part-of-one-big-happy-family/