Janet Kaldhusdal

Perfect Thanksgiving film. Barry Levinson's family saga is resplendent with all the ideas that made America what it was, and to a certain extent what it has become. Immigrants, the old fashioned extended family unit, and the invention and eventual domination of television in Americans homes. This is his pre-cell phone American family narrative that tugs at the viewers heartstrings to return to what was a simpler, slower, compassionate America*. Beautiful and sometimes haunting soundtrack by Randy Newman. *Compassionate to the people who look like the people in power.