Everybody's Fine 2009
Directed by
Kirk Jones
Made by
Miramax Films
Plot Summary
Frank Goode, portrayed by Robert De Niro, is grappling with the challenges of life as a widower, having lost his wife eight months prior and recently retiring from a job in the communications industry that ironically led to a lung condition requiring medication. Determined to reconnect with his four children — Amy, Robert, Rosie, and David — he prepares to host them for a weekend, procuring steaks and fine wine to create a celebratory atmosphere.
However, when Frank begins to reach out to his children, he receives disappointing news. His son Robert is on tour with his orchestra, and as he reviews his answering machine messages, he realizes that the rest of his children are similarly unavailable. Feeling disheartened but resolute, Frank decides to surprise each of them with visits throughout the country, disregarding his doctor’s advice for rest.
His journey begins with a train ride to New York City to see David. During this trip, Frank shares with a fellow passenger the pride he takes in his past work, noting it was his contributions that facilitated communications worldwide. Yet, upon arriving at David’s home, he finds the place dark and gets no response. A brief stop at a gallery reveals a painting by David, stirring mixed emotions within him.
Continuing his quest, Frank ventures to Chicago to visit his daughter Amy, played by Kate Beckinsale. There, he unexpectedly finds her at home, only to discover the strained dynamics of her personal life. While there, Frank learns troubling news: David has been arrested in Mexico, a secret his children had hoped to shield him from, highlighting the burdens he unknowingly placed on them to succeed.
His travels take him next to Denver, where he learns from Robert that while he’s found contentment in his musical career, he bears the weight of his father’s expectations. Robert’s discomfort in confronting his father’s pride becomes palpable when he learns that he cannot host Frank due to an orchestra tour.
As Frank’s journey unfolds, he grapples with his own failures as a parent, fueled by a series of unfortunate misunderstandings and mishaps. A fateful encounter with a vagrant in Reno leads to a chaotic struggle over medication, crystallizing his growing sense of isolation and urgency.
Each interaction with his children, including Rosie and the tantalizing hint of her success as a performer, reveals deep-seated truths about their relationships. In profound moments of reflection, Frank realizes the high stakes he imposed on all of them through his relentless push for achievement, especially with David, the child he worried about most.
The emotional climax strikes when Frank suffers from a heart attack on a flight, prompting surreal visions of his children as young ones. He confronts them about their lives, revealing the unresolved tensions and the denial they carried about their shared experiences. Ultimately, when he regains consciousness, he learns of David’s tragic overdose, a shattering moment that brings his quest for understanding full circle.
The film takes a poignant turn as Frank revisits his late wife’s grave, wrestling with his guilt and longing for solace. As Christmas approaches, he decides to host the family gathering, hoping to foster new memories as they navigate life’s complexities together. While they prepare the turkey, Frank reflects on the cherished times and reveals the vulnerability of his character when he confesses that despite their individual struggles, “everybody’s fine.” The film closes on a heartfelt note with a song by Sir Paul McCartney, reinforcing the theme of reconciliation and love amidst life’s turmoil.
Timeline
Frank's Loss and Retirement
Frank Goode, played by Robert De Niro, is facing the challenges of widowhood after the passing of his wife eight months ago. Recently retired from a long career in the communications industry, he struggles with a lung condition that complicates his life even further.
Planning the Family Gathering
Determined to reconnect with his four children, Frank prepares for a weekend gathering at his home. He buys steaks and fine wine, hoping to create a festive atmosphere where they can bond and celebrate together.
Disappointing News about the Children
When Frank begins to reach out, he discovers that his children are unavailable for the get-together. His son Robert is on tour with his orchestra, leaving Frank feeling disheartened as he listens to messages revealing that the rest of his children are also busy.
A Decision to Visit
Despite receiving disappointing news, Frank is determined to surprise each of his children with personal visits. Ignoring his doctor’s advice to rest, he sets off on a journey across the country to reconnect with them.
Train Ride to New York City
Frank starts his journey with a train ride to New York City to see his son David. On the train, he shares his pride in his professional achievements, reflecting on how his work helped advance global communications.
An Unwelcome Surprise at David's Home
Upon arriving at David’s apartment, Frank is met with silence and darkness, receiving no response at the door. A brief visit to a gallery unveils a painting by David, evoking painful reflections on their strained relationship.
Visiting Amy in Chicago
Frank travels to Chicago to visit his daughter Amy, where he unexpectedly finds her at home. However, he soon uncovers the tumultuous state of her life, including shocking news about David's arrest in Mexico, a burden his children hoped to keep from him.
A Difficult Reunion with Robert
Continuing his journey, Frank arrives in Denver to visit Robert, who reveals that he is happy with his music career but struggles with the weight of Frank's expectations. Despite his pride, Robert cannot host Frank due to a conflicting orchestra tour.
Confronting Personal Failures
As Frank's travels continue, he reflects on his failures as a parent, shaped by misunderstandings and an urgent desire to connect with his children. Each encounter reveals the emotional burdens he has placed on them through his relentless need for achievement.
A Chaotic Encounter in Reno
During a stop in Reno, Frank has a startling encounter with a vagrant that leads to a chaotic struggle over his medication. This moment underscores his growing sense of isolation and the urgency to mend his fractured relationships.
Emotional Climax on the Flight
Frank suffers a heart attack while on a flight, which brings him face-to-face with surreal visions of his children as they were young. This critical moment forces him to confront the unresolved issues that have long plagued their family dynamics.
Receiving Devastating News
Upon regaining consciousness after his heart attack, Frank is informed of David's tragic overdose. This devastating news culminates his quest for understanding, revealing the emotional strife and denial that his children experienced.
Visiting His Late Wife's Grave
In the aftermath of his revelations, Frank makes a poignant visit to the grave of his late wife. There, he grapples with his feelings of guilt and remorse, searching for a sense of peace as he reflects on their shared lives.
Preparing for Christmas Together
As Christmas approaches, Frank invites his children for a family gathering in hopes of fostering new memories. While preparing the turkey, he reflects on their past joys and vulnerabilities, admitting to them that ‘everybody's fine’ despite their struggles.
Closing with a Message of Love
The film concludes with a heartfelt song by Sir Paul McCartney, emphasizing themes of reconciliation and love amidst life's challenges. Frank's journey comes full circle as he embraces his children with a renewed understanding of their complex relationships.
Characters
Frank Goode
Frank Goode is a widower navigating the challenges of loneliness and regret after his wife's death. He is portrayed as a well-meaning but flawed father whose relentless pursuit of his children's success often backfires. His character evolves throughout the film, moving from an ego-driven mindset to a place of vulnerability and understanding.
Amy
Amy, played by Kate Beckinsale, embodies the struggles of balancing personal ambition with familial duties. Her strained relationship with Frank showcases the often hidden tensions within their family. She is a character caught between the expectations of her father and her own life choices.
Robert
Robert is grappling with the weight of his father's expectations, showing a mix of pride and discomfort regarding his musical career. He symbolizes the children’s ongoing struggle to define their identities apart from Frank’s influence, revealing deeper layers to their family dynamics.
Setting
Time period
The story unfolds in contemporary times, reflecting modern familial relationships and societal expectations. The pervasive themes of connection and struggle are set against the backdrop of modern challenges such as career pressures and mental health issues. Christmas serves as a significant temporal marker, heightening the emotional stakes of family reunion.
Location
New York City, Chicago, Denver, Reno
The movie spans across various major cities in the United States, highlighting the distinct atmospheres of each location. New York City serves as the starting point of Frank's journey, signifying ambition and hope. Chicago showcases the complexities of family dynamics, while Denver brings an air of introspection. Reno emphasizes themes of struggle and isolation, rounding out the emotional landscape.
Themes
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Family
The film deeply explores the complexities of familial bonds, particularly the way expectations can shape relationships. Frank's journey reveals the subtle strains and unresolved issues that exist beneath the surface of family life. Ultimately, the narrative suggests that understanding and reconciliation are crucial for healing.
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Loss
Loss is a central theme, as Frank grapples with the death of his wife and the emotional void it has left. Each child's struggle reflects their own coping mechanisms, revealing the rippling effects of loss on family dynamics. This theme is poignantly illustrated through Frank’s reflections and their impact on his relationships.
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Self-Discovery
Frank's journey is also one of self-discovery, as he confronts his past and the father he has been. The misunderstandings and miscommunications with his children serve as wake-up calls that lead him to realize the true value of connection over achievement. The film poignantly navigates themes of regret and growth.
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