Stuart Saves His Family

And, in fact, it offers a message that wouldn't be out of place at an Al-Anon meeting (although with the laughs). Dad (Harris Yulin) is an abusive drunk, Mom (Shirley Knight) is an enabler, Sis is an over-eater, and Brother has a problem with his temper. Though it seems like a one-joke premise, this spinoff of Al Franken's "Saturday Night Live" character, self-help nerd Stuart Smalley, actually has some substance. And he brings a certain sympathy and resolve to the lisping, cross-eyed Stuart. To be sure, it's not your typical "SNL" movie. Stuart, fired from his cable TV self-help show, goes home to resolve a family crisis. The film turns serious, but Franken actually makes the drama interesting, using humor to leaven it. "--Marshall Fine"

The film turns serious, but Franken actually makes the drama interesting, using humor to leaven it. Dad (Harris Yulin) is an abusive drunk, Mom (Shirley Knight) is an enabler, Sis is an over-eater, and Brother has a problem with his temper. --Marshall Fine And, in fact, it offers a message that wouldn't be out of place at an Al-Anon meeting (although with the laughs). Though it seems like a one-joke premise, this spinoff of Al Franken's Saturday Night Live character, self-help nerd Stuart Smalley, actually has some substance. And he brings a certain sympathy and resolve to the lisping, cross-eyed Stuart. Stuart, fired from his cable TV self-help show, goes home to resolve a family crisis. To be sure, it's not your typical SNL movie.