It's entirely possible that sending the audience out feeling lousy was intentional

One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

The acting in this movie is really good.

Almost every aspect about this movie seemed quite absurd and drastically unrealistic in my point of view. Characters were extremely shallow and so most of the time I was just cringing for the poor girl who could not catch a break. Please don't waste your time with this movie like I did.

The Family Stone has talented actors, but the entire movie plot is horrible, what was the Director thinking?! The Family Stone is just 2 hours (or however long it is) of a bunch of people being nasty to someone who is supposed to be joining their family via marriage, there's no message to this flick except to conform, what is wrong with being different? why can't this family accept that the lady is not like them and that that's okay?! Why they're so offended by her, no one knows, she is polite, she is not a laid back and relaxed person like them - but is that any reason to mistreat the poor woman?! Bottom line, they knew she wasn't right for him - so they decide to act like 7 year old's in a school playground, there are scenes where a couple of them tell the guy not to marry the fiancé, but he doesn't listen, so then the beef is with him, not her, be nasty to HIM instead! And that awful scene at the dinner table...i'm sorry but if someone shouted at me like that i would have nothing more to do with that family and definitely would not go back in that house, even if i got an apology.The Family Stone is a 100% negative motion picture, the best they could have done with the script is by the end have Meredith leave Everett and have nothing more to do with the family, let Meredith's sister be with the guy instead or whatever, but at least give Meredith some self- respect by having nothing more to do with the people that treated her like crap.If you have to watch a movie with a slightly similar story line, watch "Christmas With The Kranks" instead, that's not a great film either, but it's better than this garbage.

***** This Review May Contain MINOR Spoilers! ***** The Previews of The Family Stone seemed to hold out the promise of a genuinely light and thoroughly amusing comedy, perhaps a bit over-the-top, but focused on the cultural differences between a very liberal family, (giving the impression that the parents were, perhaps, "Hippies" back in the 60's) and a super-conservative and tightly wound woman, engaged to one of their sons.The problem is that the film showcased in the theatrical trailer plus the marketing campaign launched to promote it, vs. the actual movie you see in the theater have absolutely nothing in common! Unfortunately, previews sole raison d'etre apparently is to get people into the theater. It doesn't seem to matter in the least to these people if the expectation generated by the short is totally out of sync with the experience given by the film.Thusly, it is easy to understand the plethora of reviewers who were livid with these bait and switch tactics! At its core, Family Stone is much more of a serious film that attempts to underscore the importance of cohesive family life, and how family unity can overcome obstacles that initially seem insurmountable, such as sharing and then getting over the pain of the loss of one of their own.The cast is remarkable. Sarah Jessica Parker, Luke Wilson, Dermot Mulroney, Claire Danes, Diane Keaton, Rachel McAdams and Craig T. Nelson. Almost all of them renowned actors, who conform a superb ensemble cast. If you enjoy family dramas with a healthy dose of comic relief, Family Stone is far and away better than most films of its kind… 8*STARS....ENJOY/DISFRUTELA! Any comments, questions or observations, in English o en Español, are most welcome!

After reading some of the reviews this film appears to be like Hillary Clinton. Either you love it or you hate it. I certainly don't care for Hillary, but I did enjoy this movie. Never was a big Sarah Jessica Parker fan but thought her portrayal was top notch. Diane Keaton was good as always. Craig T Nelson also gave a good performance. Claire Danes has a somewhat minor part. Rachel McAdams is delightfully catty. Had never heard of the protagonist, Dermot Mulroney prior to watching this. Much of the plot is not especially believable but for goodness sake it's a movie. Is there no such thing in love at first sight in Hollywood? Having some dysfunctional aspects in both sides of my family made this enjoyable to watch. If you're Ward and June Cleaver you might not enjoy this film.