Staying Together (1989)

Just what I expected

This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

Blistering performances.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

Writer Monte Merrick had his work cut out for him here: crafting an intimate, average American family drama that takes place in a small town. Opportunities for high drama seem limited from the start. Unless one creates a "Peyton Place" or "King's Row" type situation full of scandal, there's really not much excitement going on in these environments.Merrick wisely chose a "coming of age" situation with the boys, matched with parental business ambition, and worked up an engaging script. Director Lee Grant likewise fell right into the small town environment and keenly expressed the hopes, dreams and ambitions of its key residents.The result is an often touching enactment with interesting characters and situations. True, it often rings familiar with TV sitcoms, but then there's just so much one can make of these basic ingredients. The cast is uniformly strong, with Sean Astin, Dermot Mulroney, and Tim Quill as the boys and Stockard Channing as an ambitious local politician. I saw this film when it first came out and I must say it made a positive impression, so memorable that I've returned to it via DVD over the years. There are not many small town, average family dramas out there, and "Staying Together" is a touching piece of work in this limited genre.

Brotherly Love doesn't come out the way it would. It's where you live in a small town where small town values is boss. You have three brothers: Brian (Tim Quill) the total hothead, Kit (Dermot Mulroney) the horn-dog one, and Duncan(Sean Astin) the prankster. Despite the success of working at a chicken restaurant, the father,Jake (Jim Haynie) decided to close it for good. This decision drives the wedge into the family. When the other brothers find new jobs, each one of them find themselves in the world. Duncan gets frisky with the waitress he worked with. Brian gets himself involved with the upcoming mayor (Stockard Channing) before setting his sights of the single mother. Kit gets himself involved with Beverly(Daphne Zuniga), the engaged friend. brothers are brought closer to each other following the father's passing. Brian had to put his anger beside him later. And each brother had to find a way to do something about life. All too common, somewhat predictable, life it what you make of it. Could have used more to it. But the cast of the movie is great. A lot of language was used, should have more romance themes to make it a hit. Watchable to say the least. 2.5 out of 5 stars.

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.

It's the story of three brothers pulling together in the midst of hardship and loss, and learning that the really important things in life are family, love, trust, and forgiveness. The entire cast manages to pull in a powerful performance despite a few lousy one-liners. A great film for fans of true to life problems befalling believable families. Also worth a look for fans of Dermot Mulroney or Sean Astin. They both do an astounding job, often bringing you to tears. Take my word for it and rent this today!