Stuart Saves His Family

Al Franken brings his Saturday Night Live character Stuart Smalley to the big screen in this unexpectedly downbeat comedy about a man desperately trying to overcome his dysfunctional upbringing. Stuart hosts a TV show on public access TV in which he offers bits of New Age wisdom on self-help, often ...more

Stuart Saves His Family is that rarest of films, a very serious comedy. Al Franken's screenplay manages to walk a very thin line, satirizing the language and attitudes of 12-step programs while simultaneously showing that they work. There are a lot of damaged people on display in the film. Stuart's best friend (and Al-Anon sponsor) delivers a heartbreaking story about her father, while Stuart's brother Donnie (Vincent D'Onofrio in a great performance) is quickly becoming a "big drunk" just like ...more