Family Business

Family Business

Year: 1989

Runtime: 110 min

Language: French

Director: Sidney Lumet

DramaComedyCrime

As Hélène’s health deteriorates, her two brothers find themselves locked in a fierce and complex rivalry. Determined to save her, they employ increasingly elaborate strategies and cunning maneuvers, leading to a high-stakes competition where only one can succeed and secure their sister's future.

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Family Business (1989) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Family Business (1989) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In a quiet town where the rhythm of daily life is punctuated by the looming presence of an aging family matriarch, Hélène’s fragile health becomes the silent catalyst for a battle of wills. Her two brothers, bound by blood but divided by ambition, find themselves thrust into an unexpected contest as they scramble to secure the future she deserves. The film opens with a tender portrait of sisterly devotion, quickly expanding into a broader canvas that captures the weight of legacy and the urgency of time.

The elder sibling carries the quiet confidence of a man who has long shouldered responsibility, while his younger counterpart radiates restless ingenuity, each embodying a different philosophy of care and survival. Their rivalry is less a brutish clash and more a delicate chess match, played out against the backdrop of a home that whispers stories of generations past. The tone balances the poignancy of impending loss with a sharp, almost playful tension as each brother devises increasingly elaborate plans to outmaneuver the other, turning ordinary family interactions into high‑stakes negotiations.

Stylistically, the film weaves together warm, domestic imagery with moments of kinetic energy, reflecting the duality of love and competition that drives the narrative. The cinematography lingers on intimate details—a trembling hand, a lingering glance—while the score subtly escalates, echoing the brothers’ growing resolve. This atmosphere invites the audience to feel the pulse of a household on the brink, where every gesture could tip the balance between triumph and tragedy.

At its core, the story is a meditation on loyalty, sacrifice, and the lengths to which family members will go when faced with an impossible choice. As Hélène’s condition shadows every decision, the brothers’ clash becomes a compelling study of character, ambition, and the fragile thread that holds a family together, promising a journey that is as emotionally resonant as it is suspenseful.

Last Updated: August 10, 2025 at 13:37

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Family Business Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Family Business

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Family Business

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