Watch Family Business

Family Business is a 1989 comedy-drama directed by Sidney Lumet, starring Sean Connery, Dustin Hoffman, and Matthew Broderick. The movie follows the lives of three generations of a family, who find themselves tangled in a web of crime, loyalty, and family values. Vito (Dustin Hoffman) is a small-time crook who dreams of making it big in the criminal world. He is constantly at odds with his father, Jessie (Sean Connery), a retired thief who now runs a successful liquor store. When Vito's son, Adam (Matthew Broderick), gets involved with their illegal business, the family's conflicts and secrets threaten to destroy them all.

The movie's central theme revolves around the conflict of old-school values versus modern ideas. Jessie, who has left his criminal past behind, wants his family to live an honest life and to stay away from the crimes he committed in his youth. Vito, on the other hand, desires to succeed in the world of crime and leads Adam down the wrong path.

The movie is set in the heart of New York City, with all its mobster stereotypes, colorful characters, and distinct city life. The trio's illegal activities range from robbing safes of wealthy businessmen to smuggling drugs across the city in cake batter. Despite their criminal ways, the audience still roots for the family as they navigate through their moral dilemmas.

What makes Family Business an interesting watch is not just the crime genre, but the emotional depth of the characters. Sean Connery gives a compelling performance as the patriarch, Jessie, who is torn between his love for his family and his desire to protect them from their own criminal impulses. Jessie is a man who wants to do what's right, but his past and his family's actions often conflict with his moral compass.

Dustin Hoffman's performance as the ambitious Vito is equally notable. Vito is a complex character who is both selfish and devoted to his family. At times, he is callous and manipulative, but he genuinely believes that his actions are for the betterment of the family.

Matthew Broderick, who plays Adam, represents the younger generation who are not bound by the same values and experiences as their fathers and grandfathers. Adam is a college dropout who's uncertain about his future and finds himself caught up in his family's illegal activities.

The chemistry between the three leads is what makes the movie work. The trio's dynamic is not just about their criminal activities, but also their shared history, conflicts, and love for each other. Though the film primarily focuses on the men, the women in the movie, played by Rosanna DeSoto and Janet Carroll, also have significant roles and contribute to the family's dynamic.

The movie may not be perfect, and some of its plot points and dialogues are contrived. However, the family's relationships and conflicts are engaging enough to keep the audience invested. Family Business is not just about the world of crime; at its core, it's a story about the bond between family and the lengths they will go to protect it.

In conclusion, Family Business is a crime-comedy-drama that delves into family dynamics and moral conflicts. With its stellar cast, notable performances, and emotional depth, the movie transcends the crime genre and becomes a poignant story about family, loyalty, and the struggle to do what's right.

Family Business is a 1989 crime movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 50 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.7 and a MetaScore of 54.