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All Happy Families...

All Happy Families is a comedy-drama film written and directed by Haroula Rose in her feature directorial debut, based on a story by Coburn Goss. The film stars as Graham Landry, an aspiring actor navigating personal and familial turmoil, alongside an including as his brother Will, Chandra Russell as Dana Allen, John Ashton as the family patriarch Roy, and as the matriarch Sue. Set in , the story follows the Landry family as they reunite in their childhood home for a weekend project, only for an incident at the matriarch's party to unravel long-simmering tensions and expose the complexities of their relationships. Premiering at the International , the film explores themes of family dysfunction, parental expectations, and personal reinvention through a blend of humor and heartfelt drama, drawing its title from Leo Tolstoy's famous opening line in : "All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way." Rose, a Chicago native known for her previous work including the film Once Upon a River, co-wrote the screenplay with Goss, infusing the narrative with authentic Midwestern sensibilities and a leisurely pace that highlights character-driven interactions over plot contrivances. Produced by Haroula Rose, Liz Cardenas, Coburn Goss, Ian Keiser, and Mary Muñez, with executive producers including Michael Shannon and Radnor, the movie was distributed by Freestyle Digital Media and released theatrically in select U.S. cities starting September 20, 2024, before becoming available on digital platforms. The film won the Audience Award at the 2023 Lone Star Film Festival. Critically, it has received praise for its strong ensemble performances—particularly Baker's portrayal of the resilient mother—and its relatable depiction of imperfect family bonds, earning an 86% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 29 reviews, though some critiques note its familiar tropes in the dysfunctional family genre. With a runtime of 90 minutes, All Happy Families stands as a poignant reminder of the unique ways families endure and evolve amid life's unexpected challenges.

Cast

Starring

All Happy Families features an portraying the Landry family and their associates, centered on themes of familial reunion and personal challenges. portrays Graham Landry, an aspiring actor facing career and family struggles while returning to his childhood home. plays Will Landry, Graham's successful brother who joins the family for the renovation project. Chandra Russell appears as Dana Allen, Graham's wife navigating the family's dynamics. Becky Ann Baker stars as Sue Landry, the resilient matriarch organizing the family gathering. John Ashton depicts Roy Landry, the family patriarch dealing with retirement and past issues.

Guest starring

David Pasquesi portrays Jerry, a sleazy associate connected to the family's social circle. Colleen Camp plays Lila, a supporting figure in the family's interactions. Rodney Crowell appears as Dino, contributing to the film's musical and character elements.

Character milestones

First appearances

As a standalone , all characters appear for the first time in All Happy Families. The ensemble introduces the Landry family members during their reunion, with key figures like Graham Landry () and his son (Tyler Stentiford) central to the unfolding family dynamics. Supporting characters, such as Will's wife Cynthia (Aimee Garcia) and the family matriarch (Becky Ann Baker), are introduced in the context of the home renovation project, setting up the relational tensions.

Final appearances

No characters make final appearances in an episodic sense, as the film concludes the narrative arcs for all involved without continuation in a series.

Deceased characters

The film features no deceased characters; the story focuses on living family members navigating personal revelations and relationships without fatal events.

Plot

Synopsis

All Happy Families follows the Landry family as they reunite in their childhood home for a weekend project. Graham Landry (), a struggling and in his 40s, lives in the aging duplex and is envious of his older brother Will (), a successful star. Will unexpectedly arrives with his 16-year-old daughter Evie (Ivy O'Brien), who has recently come out as , bringing underlying family tensions to the surface. The family's matriarch, Sue (Becky Ann Baker), has just retired from her long-held position as an administrative assistant after an uncomfortable incident at her retirement party involving unwanted advances from her boss, prompting her to question her marriage to Roy (John Ashton), a retired man grappling with drinking and gambling problems. Graham interviews potential tenants for the downstairs apartment and selects Dana (Chandra Russell), an old college acquaintance, whose presence rekindles a past attraction and offers Graham a chance at personal reinvention. As the family tackles home repairs—highlighted by a discovering a dead symbolizing buried issues—long-simmering resentments emerge. Will's faces potential scandal, Roy's financial woes strain the family, and Evie's identity and rebellious behavior challenge the parents' adaptability. The gathering spirals into chaos with revelations and confrontations, but ultimately reinforces the family's resilient bonds through humor and heartfelt moments.

Thematic elements

The film's title references the opening line of Leo Tolstoy's : "All happy families are alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way," highlighting the unique dysfunctions within the Landry household. It explores themes of family resilience amid personal crises, including generational conflicts, the impact of parental expectations, and the challenges of reinvention in midlife. Central to the narrative is the tension between success and stagnation, embodied in the brothers' dynamic—Graham's unfulfilled dreams contrasting Will's fame—and the cyclical nature of familial patterns, such as Roy's vices echoing in Evie's struggles. The story critiques suburban complacency and workplace inequities through Sue's arc, while Dana's role underscores themes of second chances and unspoken desires. Overall, the film portrays imperfect families navigating change with a mix of and empathy, emphasizing that enduring love persists despite individual unhappiness.

Production

Development

All Happy Families was written by Haroula Rose and Coburn Goss, and directed by Rose in her second feature film after (2019). The script originated from a story by Goss and developed during the , focusing on family dynamics and personal reinvention with a character-driven approach suitable for a smaller budget. Rose, a native, drew from her experiences directing television episodes for series like The Affair and Billions to infuse the narrative with authentic Midwestern sensibilities. The film was produced by Chicago Media Angels, Neon Heart Productions, Glass Bead Films, Lucky Number 8 Productions, Attic Light Films, and Pogi Studios, with Marisol Adler and Ian Keiser as producers. Executive producers included , who joined in 2022, along with Liz Cardenas, Mary Munez, Rose, and Goss. Shannon's involvement helped secure financing and casting, including leads and . Casting emphasized ensemble chemistry, starting with veterans and John Ashton as the family matriarch and patriarch.

Filming

Principal photography took place in , , primarily in the Irving Park and Andersonville neighborhoods, from July to August 2022. The production utilized local locations to capture the story's setting, including a two-flat home, Hidden Cove restaurant on Lincoln Avenue, an upscale restaurant, and a pub, reflecting the film's Midwestern authenticity. was handled by Johanna Coelho, with all department heads being women, emphasizing intimate interactions through tight framing and natural lighting. The shoot adhered to protocols, prioritizing a lean crew and to enhance performances.

Music

Featured songs

All Happy Families features original songs co-written by Haroula Rose and Oliver Hill.

Original score

The original score for All Happy Families was composed by and Oliver Hill.

Reception

Viewership

All Happy Families premiered at the 2023 International on March 23, 2023. It received a in select U.S. cities starting September 20, 2024, distributed by Freestyle Digital Media (formerly Bulldog Film Distribution). Due to its status, specific figures are minimal; worldwide gross stands at approximately $1,261 as of early 2025, primarily from a limited release on March 14, 2025. The film became available on digital platforms and VOD starting October 18, 2024, and can be streamed on services including Prime Video, , , and as of November 2025. No comprehensive viewership metrics for streaming are publicly available, but the film's festival circuit exposure and positive word-of-mouth contributed to its accessibility on multiple platforms.

Critical response

All Happy Families has received generally positive reviews from critics, earning an 86% approval rating on based on 29 reviews, with an average score of 7/10. The site's consensus praises the film for its "strong ensemble performances and relatable depiction of family dynamics." Roger Ebert's review awarded it 3 out of 4 stars, commending the "excellent cast" and noting that "strong performances... transcend heavy-handed metaphors and a meandering storyline." Variety described it as a film that "carves out space in a crowded genre" through "small, lived-in moments," though it critiqued some familiar indie dramedy tropes. The Guardian called it a "likable indie drama" but noted it has "a few too many storylines, none of them fully explored." On IMDb, it holds a 5.9/10 rating from user reviews.

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