Luke & David...separated at birth??

I just finished watching "The Family Stone" and I couldn't get past how much Luke Wilson looks like David Duchovny! They could be brothers...or maybe they are part of some form of X-Files cloning program?! :o) Seriously - don't you think they look very similar? Now, I'd take David over Luke any day of the week but that is for another post. David Duchovny - drool! ;o)

The movie was much better than I anticipated. Even Brian stayed awake for the whole film - a miracle - and seemed to enjoy it despite the presence of Sarah Jessica Parker (whom he loathes). At first glance, the film seemed like it was going to be one of those typical farcy Hollywood ensemble things that gets cranked out over and over, but then they threw in some real issues and I got hooked. Everyone did a good acting job (except for Dylan Mulroney who couldn't act his way out of a wet paper bag!), and as dysfunctional as it sounds, it reminded me greatly of my own family issues. I think they should have ended the film without the last 5 minutes (which is seen in the future), and without the weird Dylan Mulroney close-up near the end, but it was still very entertaining. It's certainly worth picking up at Blockbuster.

One scene which struck a particular cord within me is when SJP's character was excluded (by accident? I think not!) in the family photo. The exact thing happend to me! Brian and I were engaged (and expecting) and were attending his step-sister's wedding in Chicago. His step-mother rushed to our table to gather the "family" for an informal shot with the bride and groom. I was sitting next to my future brother-in-law's fiancee (they were married one month before us), when my soon to be mother-in-law took her by the hand and said, "Sally, dear, you are practically family...join us!" She didn't even look at me. I was left sitting there alone! I felt like "Baby" in Dirty Dancing...but where was my Patrick Swayze?!

And just like in the film when SJP's boyfriend doesn't get why she might be upset or insulted over the slight, Brian too was clueless. Of course - he was wasted, so that didn't help. He sure as hell didn't stand up for me and insist I be included - nor did SJP's onscreen guy.

A bonus follow-up to this tale is now when I visit a member of his family, I get to see that picture over and over - isn't life lovely?! It doesn't take a genius to figure out how well I get along with my in-laws. :o)

'Nite all!