Watch Staying Together

Staying Together is a 1989 coming-of-age drama film that follows a group of siblings as they navigate the challenges of adulthood and family dynamics. The film stars Sean Astin, Stockard Channing, and Melinda Dillon in lead roles, with supporting performances from Tim Quill and Dermot Mulroney. The story begins with three brothers, Brian (Tim Quill), Kit (Dermot Mulroney), and Duncan McDermott (Sean Astin) returning to their hometown in upstate New York for the summer. Their father, Tom (Jim Haynie), is the owner of a failing restaurant and has hoped to pass it on to his children when he retires. However, the brothers have all pursued other careers and have little interest in taking over the family business.

Brian is a successful lawyer who is engaged to a woman named Kitty (Suzy Amis), but is hesitant to commit to marriage. Kit has dropped out of college and is trying to make it as a musician, though he struggles to get gigs. Duncan is the youngest of the three and is still figuring out his place in the world.

As the summer progresses, the brothers reconnect with each other and with their hometown. They also begin to confront their own personal issues - Brian begins to have doubts about his upcoming wedding, Kit grapples with his musical ambitions, and Duncan starts to realize the limitations of his privileged upbringing.

Their mother, Nancy (Stockard Channing), plays a central role in the film, offering guidance and support to her sons as they struggle to find their way. She also has her own issues to deal with, including a strained relationship with her husband and a desire to pursue her own dreams.

The relationships between the siblings are complex and realistic, with each brother having his own distinct personality and struggles. The film also touches on themes of class, privilege, and the American Dream, as the McDermott family tries to hold onto their business and their way of life.

The performances in Staying Together are strong across the board. Sean Astin, in particular, shines as the naive and idealistic Duncan, who learns some hard truths about the world and himself over the course of the summer. Stockard Channing is also a standout as Nancy, bringing both warmth and toughness to the role.

The film's soundtrack, which includes songs by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Bruce Springsteen, and The Smithereens, is a highlight as well. The music helps to set the tone of the film and adds to the overall feeling of nostalgia that permeates the story.

Staying Together is an engaging and poignant film that explores the complexities of family relationships and the challenges of growing up. It is a film that will resonate with anyone who has grappled with questions of identity and purpose, and who has struggled to find their place in the world. At its core, it is a film about the power of family and the importance of staying together through thick and thin.