A self-help advocate struggles to put his dysfunctional family in its place.
Starring: Al Franken and directed by Harold Ramis (95 Minutes)
Stuart Smalley (orginally created as an SNL character played by Al Franken) is a Chicago resident who participates in several twelve-step programs and hosts Daily Affirmation, a self-help program on a public-access television station.
Stuart comes from a very dysfunction, codependent family. Dad (Harris Yulin) is an alcoholic and puts down his kids (“I’ve fed you well — that’s painfully obvious” because his daughter, son and wife are fat!). Mom (Shirley Knight) responds to her husband’s by spending her time putting enormous meals on the table. Sis Jodie (Lesley Boone) is a compulsive overeater, and brother Donnie (Vincent D’Onofrio) smokes way too much pot,.
Stuart loves his family and tries to explain them (“My father grew up in the Great Depression – his mother’s”). This is a hilarious parody of 12 Step recovery programs with every motto, trope, bromide being used keeps one laughing continuously throughout the entire movie. And, although it pokes fun at 12 Step programs, it has many salient points and lessons to be learned about codependent behaviour and its destructive effects on interpersonal relationships.
This movie is a must see for anyone who belongs to a 12 Step program. It’s funny, sad, and sensitively sweet.
Cameron F.