The Family
Dir: Luc Besson
2013
***
The Family feels very much like a cross between what you'd expect from a Luc Besson produced film and a Luc Besson directed film. I liked the premise; the ongoing struggles of an ex-Mobster and his family in a witness protection program. It's a comedy of sorts but not the dreadful bumbling spoof you might think. It's no masterpiece either though but pleasantly quirky and original enough to not fit into any one category comfortably. It's a film of performances rather than story, which works pretty well. Each family member has their arc but nothing too complicated but then nothing too ridiculous or contemptuous either. Drama, comedy and action are in unison with each other which doesn't usually work but this is where Besson plays to his strengths. That said, one does have to ask whether the action is there to perk up the lack of drama or consistency of comedy. I like it but I'm used to it now from him, he's still a director I love but I'm sorry to say this is nothing compared to his earlier work.