Reviews
It Runs in the Family (1994)
Nice try.
I have enjoyed Charles Grodin's work in a number of films (e.g., "Midnight Run"), but he is a problematic factor in this sequel to "A Christmas Story". Darren McGavin portrayed The Old Man as eccentric, volatile, bemused and usually funny. Grodin's portrayal made him seem close to insane and occasionally a bit scary. Mom was fine and the kids were acceptable. The best thing about the movie was the Bumpus clan...really the only reason to watch it.
Smoke Signals (1998)
Its emotional impact reminds me of "Field of Dreams".
"Smoke Signals" is about Native Americans to the same extent "Field of Dreams" is about baseball. The father-son relationship continues -- and can grow -- after the death of the father. (I believe it was Freud who said that the most important event in a man's life is the death of his father.) The recognition of this truth is what makes this "little" film so powerful.