FAMILY BUSINESS
A film review by Robert Dorsett
Copyright 1989 Robert Dorsett
FAMILY BUSINESS stars Sean Connery as an elderly burglar in New York. Dustin Hoffman appears as his estranged son, Dustin Hoffman, and Matthew Broderick as *his* son.
The dynamics of the film are complicated. Suffice it to say that Connery's character is a professional burglar. Hoffman's used to be one as well, but gave it up, in favor of "legitimate" business. There is a conflict between father and son. Broderick is portrayed as a smart kid who mysteriously drops out of a master's degree program--to "join the family business." His father isn't very happy about that, but his grandfather is supportive. The rest of the movie deals with a caper and the various conflicts among the three men.
This is a relatively serious movie, with good characterizations all around. It's the first "serious" film Connery's been in in a LONG time (he tends to favor action/adventure films, which he invariably shines in). Broderick is surprisingly good as the grandson. Hoffman's well, Hoffman. Everyone has a nasty side to himself: this isn't a gooey-feel-good Christmas movie.
Don't get the impression that this is another THE GREAT TRAIN ROBBERY. (which was also a good movie) It isn't.
Rating: 8/10.
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