The second feature film to be directed by Jodie Foster (this time behind the camera only) is a moderately eccentric comedy about the horrors of a Thanksgiving family gathering. The material is sufficiently universal that, at some point or points, it is bound to come within tickling distance of just about everybody. It might have remained at that distance with greater consistency if it hadn't kept pressing so hard (Auntie issuing a conversation-stopping bugle call out her tailpipe). Much of the pressure could have been eased if Foster had not been so intent on taking sides in every situation: Sis is to be viewed as a spoilsport for getting ruffled when an entire roasted turkey lands in the lap of her best dress. (The dress, we are made to understand, is strictly squaresville, so screw her!) It's particularly difficult to go along with Foster's apportionment of sympathies in the matter of the madcap son (Robert Downey, Jr., with eyebrows elevated to a perpetual proclamation of innocence), who appears hell-bent on living up to every definition of the word "gay." Holly Hunter, Dylan McDermott, Anne Bancroft, Charles Durning, Geraldine Chaplin, Cynthia Stevenson, Steve Guttenberg. (1995) — Duncan Shepherd
This movie is not currently in theaters.