The opening line from Taylor Schilling in ‘Family’ trailer is, “This is me. I’m a senior level V.P. at a hedge fund in New Jersey” as she dawns the face paint of a Juggalo before getting slammed in the head by a bottle of Faygo.
OK. You have my attention.
‘Family’ is a look at how to cope with the growing stress of being an adult while trying to fit it and the parallels it draws to adolescents.
Kate Stone (Taylor Schilling) is career-focused, and enjoys her life that way. Her brash attitude keeps relationships at arm’s length, making her an outcast in her own right. When her estranged brother calls asking her to babysit her tween niece Maddie, Kate reluctantly agrees to help.
But babysitting overnight unexpectedly turns into a week, and Kate’s life spins into chaos.
As Maddie reveals stories of being bullied and of wanting to run away and be a Juggalo, the two form a unique bond. In ‘Family’, Schilling delivers a delightful and layered comedic performance. Laura Steinel’s debut feature has heart, reminding us that family can be found in all different forms.
Through it all, it is important to remember “…nobody is normal.”
THE FILM ARCADE Will Release FAMILY on April 19th.
