'Everybody's Fine' review

Robert De Niro (Credit: Abbot Genser/Miramax)

Lonely widower Frank (Robert De Niro) is saddened when all of his four children cancel their visit to see him. So he embarks on a cross-country trip to visit each child—on whom we learn he always leaned hard with high expectations—in hopes of spending some time with each and confirming they're happy. Kate Beckinsale, Sam Rockwell and Drew Barrymore co-star.

The buzz: De Niro hasn't delivered a good movie or good performance in a long, long time. For what it's worth, at least this remake of the 1990 Italian film takes a more honest, restrained look at families around the holidays and doesn't star Vince Vaughn ("Four Christmases," "Fred Claus").

The verdict: This is the best De Niro has been in years—intimidating when he's tough and heartbreaking when he lets his guard down. In fact, "Everybody's Fine" is great at revealing a father's complete self, not just as his kids saw him when they were younger. Frank's visualizations of his children as actual children get old, as does the hook of him leaving each of his kids with a secret envelope. (The movie's engaging without us having to wonder what's in there.) Even if "Everybody's Fine" dips into sentimentality, though, it really got to me. Holiday movies should make you appreciate family, and the film, which explores lies that are meant to protect, is a warm-hearted ode to real connections and imperfections.

Did you know? Frank receives help selecting wine from a grocery store employee, who directs him to English wines from France and Italian wines from all over Europe. Some people were not born to be a sommelier.

Movie Trailer: