Lechuguilla Although I liked the film's visual and musical style, and the production design was good, "Friends And Family" suffers from a terrible script and poor casting. The idea that two gay lovers would be part of a mafia ring is both silly and not credible. And the subplot of the paramilitary militia, as comedy, is stupid in the extreme. When you take these two plot contrivances out of the script, you don't have a story. I don't know what the screenwriter and the director were thinking; but this dreadful concept does not work.The other big problem here is the casting. The two male lead actors (Greg Lauren and Christopher Gartin, both of whom are obviously straight) have zero chemistry as gay lovers. Did they have in their contracts some stipulation that they would play gay roles only if they didn't have to touch each other? That's the impression that their so-called "performances" convey. Whatever reason, their on-screen "relationship" is more like best buddies with girlfriends who never show up. Casting truly gay actors, no matter how little talent they had, would have been more convincing.With the gay Richard character so flamboyant, and with all those drag queens, one wonders if the real intent of this film was actually to perpetuate gay stereotypes.As such, this movie seems like some cheaply made cinematic throwback to an earlier era, say the early 1980s, closer in time to "The Godfather", and when "gay" TV sitcoms and movies like "Tootsie" existed for viewers to laugh at gay people. "Friends And Family" is strictly for the Disney crowd and retro viewers. It's comfy, palatable, shallow fluff lacking in both real-world credibility and thematic depth.

ales_kovarik The main idea of this movie - gay couple in mafia - was interesting and this alone could make a good movie with the parents facing their son as a killer for mafia. But some things made the movie so stupid, that it felt almost like the writer got drunk, wrote some "funny" lines and a movie was made. I'm talking about the military parents. If the producers cut this part off the movie they could save some money on the bad actors portraying the militants and invest it to improving the script.And the usual complain: no kiss and except for the last scene, there was no touch between the gay couple. But to be impartial, the other people in the movies didn't kiss as well.

jennifergerbil What a cute movie! I must have watched this five times, the first time I rented it, although I had to hide the remote to keep from going back to the close-up shots of the actors. It certainly didn't hurt that they were just gorgeous.The acting overall was what I expected and I didn't have a problem with the pace of the movie. It helps to go into this looking to have fun and not some sort of connection to the plot or characters. This is meant to be fun and lighthearted (its not the Sopranos) and it delivers. There were several chuckle-worthy scenes, although watching them try to cook was more a 'laugh in horror' kind of thing. And I loved the role the two played with the mob family -- they are part of the family. I thought it was adorable the way the Don was almost protective of them, and Jenny... too funny! I was a bit disappointed with the fact that Stephen and Danny had very few affectionate gestures at first but with the second and third viewings... well, those glances were pretty heavy and the lack in the beginning made that final "almost kissed" scene even more powerful. Although my daughter ("That's it?! He's not gonna kiss him?!), didn't think so. Ah well.Oh, if you get a hold of this, be sure to check out all of the features. I liked the deleted scene that shows a tense moment between Stephen and Danny. It's a shame it didn't make the final cut but I can see why -- it's almost harsh compared to how upbeat the rest is.

btx I watched this flick the other night with my roommate (he picked it out; I didn't), and it was unbelievably bad. We both agreed it was one of the worst movies we'd ever seen. The jokes, about mothers, midwesterners, mafioso, et. al., are hideous and lame. The characters are all horrible cliches. The plot marches on in a ludicrous fashion that really grates on the nerves. Cuts between scenes that are meant to subtly emphasize the irony of the situation only reveal the insipid obviousness of the plot. On top of it all, the over-the-top, hammy acting reinforces so many stupid stereotypes that you wind up wanting to yell at the screen. Despite this, my roommate and I resolved to finish the movie. Don't ask me why -- perhaps we were hoping for a sex scene that never happened.