SnoopyStyle It's 1957 Haley, Illinois. Brothers Jacey (Billy Crudup) and Doug Holt (Joaquin Phoenix) live with their mother (Kathy Baker). Lloyd Abbott (Will Patton) is the rich and powerful man around town who is constantly throwing lavish parties. He has 3 daughters. Jacey flirts with middle daughter Eleanor Abbott (Jennifer Connelly). Doug likes the youngest Pamela (Liv Tyler) but also falls for Eleanor. The latest party is to celebrate the announcement of oldest daughter Alice (Joanna Going)'s shotgun wedding. Jacey tells Doug that Lloyd Abbott screwed their family out of money from their father's patent which saved Abbott's company. Lloyd warns the girls against Jacey.First of all, I hate the narration. It adds nothing but annoyance. I hate that Michael Keaton is narrating as an older Joaquin Phoenix. Phoenix could have done it himself. The whole thing frustrates me every time it comes up. As for the actors, some of them don't seem to fit. Billy Crudup is suppose to be a ladies man and that's at the edge of his range. Joaquin Phoenix is suppose to be shy and awkward but he's outgrown that Parenthood character. Generally, I don't like the light breezy tone. The material seems to be build for something darker. The movie just doesn't have any tension.

tieman64 "When one is nothing, one invents. It fills a void." - Diane Setterfield Pat O'Connor directs "Inventing the Abbotts" (1997), a film based on a short story by novelist Sue Miller. A fine portrait of 1950s America, its class tensions and assumptions, the film features cute performances by Joaquin Phoenix, Jennifer Connelly and Liv Tyler.At its best, though, "Abbotts" captures the qualities of good literature. The film may be thin in places, and O'Connor's climax mostly awful, but it nevertheless evokes well the tempo, tenor and wisdom of America's better short-story writers (John Cheever, Raymond Carver etc). At times it even resembles something torn from the pages of Henry James, John Updike or Flannery O'Connor. Co-starring Will Patton.8/10 – Worth one viewing. See "Larger than Life", "Shadow of a Doubt", "Pump up the Volume", "Everything Must Go" and "Happiness".

Chrysanthepop Pat O'Connor's coming of age period piece 'Inventing The Abbotts' tells the story of two brothers and the Abbott family from their point of view (even though Doug does the narrating). Most have described this as a romantic film but I see it more as a human drama about relationships and growing up in the 50s. It also works very well as a character-driven film and there's plenty of symbolism in Ken Hixon's screenplay, giving the film (in combination with the score and beautiful cinematography) a lyrical feel.'Inventing The Abbotts' boasts of a wonderful ensemble. The Abbott sisters are played by beauties Jennifer Connelly, Joanna Going and Liv Tyler while the Holt brothers are played by Billy Crudup and Joaquin Phoenix. Tyler does a decent job while the rest of the actors are excellently cast. Phoenix portrays Doug's recklessness, frivolity and growth with conviction while Crudup demonstrates Jacey's obsession and resentment with élan. Connelly (as the wild and tragic sister), Baker (as the quiet, strong and fragile mother), Patton (the ruthless father) and Going (the doomed sister) are superb.O'Connor has successfully captured the look of the 50s and 60s. The art direction is splendid. There are some beautiful shots of breathtaking landscape.In the end, 'Inventing The Abbotts' is a very human story. It stresses on human flaws, the perception of them and how it can lead to ones destruction and how 'loving no matter what' can help overcome any obstacle.

preppy-3 This takes place in Illinois from 1957 to 1960. It's about two poor brothers--Doug (Joaquin Phoenix) and Jacey (Billy Crudup)--who are infatuated with three rich sisters--Alice (Joanna Going), Eleanor (Jennifer Connrlly) and Pamela (Liv Tyler) Abbott. It follows their relationships over the years.Why this film was made remains a mystery to me. It's very well-done with an attractive cast and beautiful settings--but there's nothing even remotely new here. The conflicts and story lines here have been done countless times before (just here they're updated with minor nudity and some very R rated language). Also, at almost two hours, it's far too long. I was basically pretty bored during the last hour and was just patiently waiting for things to reach their utterly predictable conclusion. Also the acting by Connelly and Crudup was pretty terrible. Connelly just giggles and acts vacant and Crudup seems unwilling to move one muscle in his face. He always has this blank expression on his face no matter what's happening in his scenes. The great acting by the rest of the cast (especially Phoenix and Kathy Baker) and the lush settings make this worth watching at least once. But seriously--you've seen this all before. Narrated by an unbilled Michael Keaton. I give it a 6.