Stone appeals to your soft side

Damn you "Family Stone." Damn you for making me watch a Christmas movie in May, instead of waiting for a December release. Damn you for advertising yourself as a "Meet the Parents"-type comedy when you're really a serious drama. Damn you for having a conclusion so sappy it'd make a Garry Marshall film blush. But damn you, mostly, for appealing to my soft side, which forces me to enjoy crappy movies doomed for TBS syndication ("The Wedding Planner," anyone?). \nIn the movie, uptight Meredith (Sarah Jessica Parker) heads to her boyfriend Everett's (Dermot Mulroney) family home for Christmas, and finds a lukewarm reception. Among the Stone clan is domineering matriarch Sybil (Diane Keaton, magnificent as always), tranquil dad Kelly (a natural Craig T. Nelson, who should do more film work), unkempt, grouchy sister Amy (Rachel McAdams, yet to make a bad film), and stoner brother Ben (a smug Luke Wilson). Oh yeah -- also sister Susannah (Elizabeth Reaser) and brother Thad (Tyrone Giordano) who, because they're not played by famous people, are pushed to the side.\nThe clan ostracizes Meredith -- but it's hard to sympathize with her, as her own ignorant comments and tense personality undermine her attempts to fit in. Yet, at the same time, the Stones can be big jerks as well -- so, why does she bother trying so hard? After the introductions, a family secret is eventually revealed, shifting the plot from Meredith's awkwardness to more serious family issues. Suddenly, all the horrible things these people have done over the past days disintegrate. In the end, the "despite our differences, we're still family" message is hard to resist. Fight your hardest -- but come the closing credits, you'll most likely wear a smile with a tear in your eye. I'm angry at myself for liking this movie, but that doesn't conceal the fact that I did. \nThe special features primarily exist to remind viewers of the film's all-star cast. There's a casting session featurette (the film was originally supposed to be an independent feature, but Keaton's signing on brought the other stars flocking to the film), a red carpet premiere special (any compliments given to Craig T. Nelson should be revoked after seeing the mullet he sported to the opening), and a Q&A session with the cast at the Screen Actors Guild Theater. Writer/Director Thomas Bezucha must have overseen the creation of the special features, as they're practically a love letter to him. Everyone comments on how aaaamazing he was, and how hard he worked to make this film, and blah blah blah. Sure, he did a lot -- but there were other people on set too. \nPeople like production designer Jane Anne Stewart -- who made the Stones' New England home both meticulously, disastrously cluttered and charmingly picturesque (damn, doncha just wanna snuggle on the couch near that fire place?) -- that should be given their due credit. Several deleted scenes are also available -- but none are longer than thirty seconds, and most are filled with silence, so there's no point to them. The "outrageous" gag reel is anything but. Is somebody forgetting their lines, smiling, then saying "sorry" really that great of a blooper? Cast, director and producer commentaries are also included.\nReally, the only yuletide thing about "The Family Stone" is that it takes place during the holidays -- yet, nonetheless, the DVD should come with a tag that reads "do not open 'til Christmas." And, yes, watch it with your family.