Unique Plot, Acting Gives Life To Otherwise Cliche Film
Imagine this: You have spent your entire life living in an extremely racist town in Arkansas, and have never had a positive relationship with an African-American in your life. Then, after your mother dies, you discover a letter she wrote telling you that she is not your real mother.
Her closest friend at the time of your birth, a black employee of the family, became pregnant by your father. To cover up the scandal such an incident would doubtless cause, your father and his wife raise you. You never learned the truth, until now.
Also included in your letter is another bombshell. You have a brother, a black policeman living in Chicago. Your mother asks you, as her dying wish, to find this brother, and know him as family.
Such is the plot of “A Family Thing.” Add this fairly unique plot to the extraordinary acting abilities of Robert Duvall (as shocked son Earl Pilcher) and James Earl Jones (as brother Robert Murdoch).
When Pilcher goes to Chicago to find Murdoch, he is not received in the most positive way. Murdoch remembers him, and that he was a product of someone raping his mother, a just reason for anger.
Then, however, in a twist only Hollywood could produce, Pilcher is carjacked, robbed and injured on his way out of town. Since he asks that his family in Arkansas not be contacted, that leaves no one else but his new-found brother to take care of him.
So, Pilcher is taken home to Murdoch’s apartment, where we are introduced to the best part of the film, Murdoch’s blind “Aunt T,” played by Irma P. Hall. Hall steals every scene she’s in, not an easy task for a supporting character against Duvall and Jones.
Past this point, the movie is relatively forgettable. The excellent plot has been established, the best scenes have passed and we sink into an hour of movie cliches to complete the story.
One high point, though, is Aunt T taking Pilcher to the store with her. He asks why and she replies, “I’m as blind as a bat, that’s why!” Hall’s “I’m in control, don’t mess with me” attitude is enjoyable and gives Duvall quite a vehicle to play against.
What amazed me most about “A Family Thing” is it was able to say something about racism and the black experience in America without the Spike Lee approach of “African Americans are hopeless, and I’m going to dedicate my life to telling you about it,” always replete with sex and violence.
“A Family Thing,” on the other hand, tells its audience about racism and oppressiveness in society in a way viewers can’t write off. After a Lee film, it’s easy to say, “That’s inner-city Chicago, why should I care?” This film hits so close to home that it can’t be ignored.
And beyond that, “A Family Thing” was fun to watch. The interplay between such great performers as Duvall, Jones and Hall was unforgettable and, for a while, the plot was fascinating. All of this without Spike Lee. Amazing.
Grade: B+