Staying Together

I have to admit, given I saw it close to when it was made, I cannot remember the whole film. I have flashes of Melinda Dillon's performance in my head and I absolutely refuse to say anything even remotely negative about Stockard Channing. What also sticks in my head, to this day, is a scene between the three brothers...all of them walking down the main road of the town at some ungodly hour after a good round of drinking and Sean Astin is trying to convince the other two that F*** you is actually a compliment. He has his reasons. It's worth watching. But that's my opinion. P.S. To the previous poster...the WORST movie ever? Well I only lasted about 20 minutes into Howard the Duck, but I certainly think it has the flop odor to top almost anything else.

A very carelessly written film. Poor character and idea development. The silly plot and weak acting by just about the ensemble cast didn't help. Seriously, watching this movie will NOT make you smile. It may make you retch.

Three brothers from a small town somewhere in South Carolina learn that their father sold the chicken business, because he hated eggs. Then their older brother moves out and he needed the job. Their middle brother got a job at a clothing store. The McDermott family spilts apart after their father sold the businness, and then reunite together after their father's death. A little bit good, and A little bit poor. ***1/2.

If you like bad films Staying Together is a decent choice. It's not wonderfully bad, but it's thoroughly bad. There is some OK to good acting, but fortunately the good acting is eclipsed by a predictable story, cheesy music, cliché characters, awful attempts at humor, and Sean Astin as a horny wise cracking bouncy teen with great 80s hair. Staying Together was rated R but that had to be for the use of the "f word" and one tasteful love scene (where we see the backside of a female actress). If those minor elements were gone Staying Together would be like an 80s made-for-TV movie (although not as enjoyably bad) or a pilot for a prime time soap opera.

Staying Together is cliched at times but ultimately it's an honest script with honest relationships and pretty good acting all around by the three leads. A film that always kind of touches the heart a little and makes you smile, definitely worth the watch for the endearment. Also Daphne Zuniga is worth watching on this one too.

God, did I hate this movie! I saw it at a sneak preview 13 years ago, and I STILL have bad flashbacks. It was, without a doubt, the WORST movie I ever paid to see. It was badly written, badly directed, and (surprisingly considering the cast) badly acted. I would rather be thrown off a rooftop onto razor sharp spikes, and then have my skin peeled off, than to sit through it again. Can you guess I didn't enjoy it?

I saw this when it originally played in theatres back in 1989. I remember being VERY underwhelmed by it. I walked out thinking "oh--I've just seen another movie". It's the story of three brothers growing up and having to deal with various crises. The problem is that ALL the plot lines have been done before...and better. I always knew how the stories were going to end and, to make it worse, the film drags everything out. Everything is done so quietly and in a matter of fact manner. Even when people were yelling or telling each other off it came across as strangely muted. The only thing that saves the film is that all the acting is good. Sean Astin and Dermot Mulroney especially stood out (and have gone on to successful careers). It's not a terrible film just a very predictable one with nothing new to say or add.

This slightly below average film explores a typical small town South Carolina family through some trials and tribulations. While it breaks no new dramatic ground, "Staying Together" takes a look at the coming of age of late teen brothers in an average American semi-rural setting. The talented Stockard Channing heads a handsome cast, all hard working to make the most of an earnest if uneven script. While the film isn't for everyone, those who can appreciate a story of an average smalltown American family may find these characters and situations of interest. Lee Grant is the director.