Plot: What’s it about?
Claudia Larson (Holly Hunter) is sort of having a bad day and of course, it couldn’t have come at a worse time. Just as she has started to really love her work and make some real progress, she is fired and if that isn’t enough, she even kisses her boss. But she remains sane long enough to head to the airport with her daughter, where she learns that while she is at the family Thanksgiving event, her daughter (Claire Danes) will be having sex for the first time. Next she loses her expensive coat as she walks through the airport and once she’s been seated, she ends up next to an unsympathetic woman and calls her brother, only to leave a pathetic answering machine message. So as she prepares to take in another family holiday, Claudia is not totally stable and as bad as things have been, she is certain they will become even worse. But as her parents, brother (Robert Downey, Jr.), his friend (Dylan McDermott), and various other relatives all settle down for a holiday feast, what will become of Claudia and her current situation?
I was pleased to see MGM release this movie, as I have always liked it and will be glad to finally add it to my DVD collection. As directed by Jodie Foster, the film has a very natural, realistic feel to it and with this kind of subject matter, that is very important. Unlike some family driven pieces, this movie is never overly mean spirited or outlandish, it is a little quirky yes, but we all have quirks in our families, so it makes sense to have them here. As expected, there are some clashes and arguments, even some pretty dramatic moments, but none seem out of place and since they’re well executed, they seem to slide right into place, I think. The cast is also very believable within their roles, which adds a lot of depth and realism also, very good casting all around. I found Holly Hunter to be wonderful here, while Robert Downey, Jr., Anne Bancroft, and Charles Durning highlight a very talented and well chosen supporting cast. This movie has always been on my list of wanted releases, so I am of course giving it a solid recommendation. MGM has covered the basics, included a couple of extras, and slapped on a low price, so don’t hesitate to pick this one up.
The main reason this movie works is the lead role, which is well written and performed to perfection by Holly Hunter. I think that without such a well develop, complex, and well acted central figure, this movie would have fallen apart at the seams. Hunter is given a normal, but also offbeat character here and she balances it well, with no real missteps to discuss. I never found her to be too harsh or overly tolerant, which is just how this role should have been played, I think. As her character is in a stressful time period, but she is still a good person, which is how Hunter is able to come across within the role. You can also see Hunter in such films as Copycat, Raising Arizona, Broadcast News, Crash, and Living Out Loud. The cast also includes Robert Downey, Jr. (Chaplin, Natural Born Killers), Charles Durning (State and Main, The Hudsucker Proxy), Anne Bancroft (G.I. Jane, The Elephant Man), and Dylan McDermott (Three to Tango, Steel Magnolias).
Video: How does it look?
Home for the Holidays is presented in a 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer. I have owned this film on both VHS & laserdisc and never been too pleased with the transfers, but now we have a terrific looking edition of this movie. This transfer is sharp and much more refined than prior ones, which lets more detail shine through, as intended. The print here is clean, though some small defects are present, while contrast is firm and stark, but never obscures detail in the least. The colors range from natural to bold, depending on the needs to the material, which is how it should be. I am very pleased with MGM’s efforts here, let’s hope all applicable future catalog titles are issued with lush, anamorphic transfers, like this one has been.
Audio: How does it sound?
Although this movie isn’t a haven for dynamic audio, the included Dolby Digital 5.1 surround track provides an acceptable, natural experience. The main surround presence comes from the music, but a few scenes have some spark, which enhances the atmosphere, of course. The main element is the dialogue and it is clean, crisp, and on the mark, with no errors in the least I could detect. The volume balance is proper at all times, so nothing is ever lost in the mix, which leaves me to report this is a solid overall track. This disc also includes a French language option, as well as subtitles in French and Spanish.
Supplements: What are the extras?
This disc includes the film’s theatrical trailer, as well as an audio commentary with director Jodie Foster. I found this to be a real treat, as Foster talks about all kinds of topics, from the cast to the music to the locations, very insightful indeed. I loved Foster’s comments on the track for The Silence of the Lambs and I wasn’t disappointed here either, one of the better solo tracks I’ve heard. A few silent spaces, but on the whole, Foster offers an engaging session, I think.
