Vincent (Ed Harris), a former criminal, has long retired and is enjoying a peaceful family life with his young wife Sandy (Gabrielle Union) and son DJ (Miles J. Harvey). The retired hitman has kept his past a secret from his family. As Christmas and New Year approach, the family heads to a secluded country house with picturesque views. However, their tranquility is soon disrupted by the arrival of Vincent’s ex-wife Ruth (Jennifer Coolidge), his son Rocco (Lewis Pullman), and Rocco’s pregnant girlfriend, Marina (Emanuela Postacchini). Meanwhile, Vincent’s old accomplice Lefty (Bill Murray) and a new gangster partner Lonnie (Pete Davidson) are on his trail.
Bill Murray as Lefty in “The Family Plan”
A Star-Studded Affair
Dito Montiel’s crime comedy primarily captivates with its incredibly stellar cast. Murray, Coolidge, Harris, Davidson, and others enact a familiar tale of a retired criminal haunted by his past, infusing this schematic plot with charisma and energy. Without such outstanding actors, the film would likely crumble within the first few minutes, descending into B-movie territory. In that case, there would be no reason to watch it at all. However, with its star-studded cast, “The Family Plan” might even bring viewers some enjoyment. After all, it’s not every day you see Murray with a shotgun or Coolidge hitting on Harris in the woods.
Jennifer Coolidge as Ruth in “The Family Plan”
Montiel’s Directorial Style
Director Dito Montiel has a history of making uneven films, yet he magically manages to attract excellent performers time and again. In the drama about PTSD in a post-apocalyptic America, “Man Down,” Shia LaBeouf played the main character. “Empire State” features Liam Hemsworth and Dwayne Johnson, and in “Boulevard,” Montiel had the opportunity to work with Robin Williams. “The Family Plan” premiered at last year’s Toronto International Film Festival. The script was written by John Pollono (“Stronger” and “Small Engine Repair”), who is better known as an actor in “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Masters of Sex.”
Predictable Plot, Redeeming Performances
In “The Family Plan,” a bloody resolution feels inevitable from the start. It’s a film reminiscent of the Coen brothers but lacks their brilliant dialogue, hidden depths, and reflections on the nature of evil or exploration of human flaws. Montiel’s Vincent forgets that a criminal past never truly lets go and that hiding in a country house and starting a new life is impossible, especially when the hapless Rocco is likely to get into trouble.
Bill Murray as Lefty in “The Family Plan”
A Twisted Christmas Tale
Besides the first-rate actors, Montiel’s film offers a paradoxical reinterpretation of the Christmas movie. There are some successful moments in the script. Initially, viewers are presented with an almost idyllic holiday film where numerous relatives gather in a secluded family nest, but this is merely a facade. There are no gifts in sight, the twinkling Christmas tree is just a necessary attribute of the season, and sitting down together at the table is out of the question. Vincent has been lying to Sandy and DJ for years, and Ruth, Rocco, and Marina have come to visit not out of kindness but in the hope of hiding from pursuers. Of course, everything hidden will be revealed, and regaining trust in the future will not be easy.
Final Verdict
The director’s film feels disjointed. As a pure genre film, “The Family Plan” lacks dynamism and action – there’s too much talking, and not all of it is justified. There’s no real drama on screen, nor are there hilariously funny episodes, so all that’s left is to watch familiar faces in ridiculous circumstances. There are no surprises in the plot – we’ve seen similar stories hundreds of times. And yet, one wouldn’t want to dissuade fans of Harris, Murray, and Davidson from watching: all three have unusual roles here, which are interesting to follow. The spectacle is disposable but doesn’t pretend to be a genre revolution or any serious statement.