Family Business

Family Business

Year: 1989

Runtime: 110 min

Language: French

Director: Sidney Lumet

DramaComedyCrime

When Hélène's health hangs in the balance, her two brothers engage in a sibling rivalry like no other - a high-stakes battle of wits and cunning, where only one can emerge victorious and save their sister's life.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Family Business (1989)
Explore the full timeline and setting of Family Business (1989). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

September 1946

September 1946 marked a post-World War II era of rebuilding and transformation in America. Many families were reestablishing themselves after the war, leading to demographic shifts and economic changes. The struggles and aspirations of immigrants during this period significantly shaped the cultural fabric of cities like New York.

Location

New York

New York is a vibrant metropolis known for its iconic skyline, cultural diversity, and rich history. In the mid-20th century, it was a hub for immigrants seeking better opportunities and bustling with various industries. The wholesale meatpacking district along Twelfth Avenue represents a significant aspect of the city's industrial landscape.

🏙️ City 🥩 Business 🏛️ History

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:08

Main Characters – Family Business (1989)
Meet the key characters of Family Business (1989), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Jessie McMullen

Jessie is a charismatic and roguish former criminal with a proud sense of his unruly past. As a Scotch-Irish American immigrant, he embodies the complexities of the American experience, caught between his former life of crime and his family's conventional values. His influence on his grandson creates a lasting bond that complicates family dynamics.

👴 Grandfather 💼 Criminal ❤️ Legacy

Vito McMullen

Vito is Jessie's son who resists the criminal lifestyle his father embraced. As a devoted family man, he manages a successful business while striving to instill traditional values in his son, Adam. Vito faces moral dilemmas as he struggles to protect his family from the allure of their past.

👨‍👦 Father 💼 Businessman 💔 Struggle

Adam McMullen

Adam is the ambitious yet disillusioned grandson who yearns for adventure beyond his father's planned future. His fascination with his grandfather's past leads him to make reckless decisions, highlighting the conflict between his upbringing and his desires. Adam's journey is pivotal to the narrative, emphasizing themes of betrayal and identity.

👨‍🎓 Graduate 🤔 Rebel 🚨 Misguided

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:08

Major Themes – Family Business (1989)
Explore the central themes of Family Business (1989), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

👨‍👦‍👦 Family Dynamics

The movie intricately explores the complexities of family relationships across three generations. It highlights how the past influences present choices and the challenges of loyalty versus morality. The characters navigate their family legacy while grappling with the impact of their decisions on one another.

⚖️ Betrayal and Consequences

Betrayal within the family serves as a central theme as Vito ultimately turns in Jessie to save Adam. The repercussions of their choices unravel, leading to emotional turmoil and a redefinition of family bonds. The characters experience the weight of their actions, illustrating the complicated nature of loyalty.

🌌 Search for Identity

Throughout the film, characters struggle with their identities shaped by family history. Adam's journey reflects a search for self against the backdrop of his grandfather's criminal past. This theme emphasizes the tension between familial expectations and individual aspirations.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:08

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