It Runs in the Family

It Runs in the Family

Year: 2003

Runtime: 109 min

Language: English

Director: Fred Schepisi

Drama

Filmmaker Joella Cabalu delves into the intricate relationships within her family, examining themes of identity and belonging within the LGBTQ community. Through candid conversations and personal reflections, the documentary explores the challenges and joys of navigating family dynamics and self-discovery.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen It Runs in the Family yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – It Runs in the Family (2003)

Explore the full timeline and setting of It Runs in the Family (2003). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

The story is set in contemporary times, reflecting present-day societal issues, including relationship struggles and personal crises. This period is marked by familial obligations and the quest for personal identity amid life's challenges.

Location

New York City

New York City, known for its vibrant culture and bustling lifestyle, serves as the backdrop for the Gromberg family’s narrative. The city symbolizes both their luxurious lifestyle and the personal challenges they face, highlighting the contrast between wealth and emotional turmoil.

🏙️ City 🏡 Family Home

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:36

Main Characters – It Runs in the Family (2003)

Meet the key characters of It Runs in the Family (2003), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Mitchell Gromberg (Michael Douglas)

Mitchell Gromberg is a patriarch dealing with the lingering effects of a stroke while managing his family's strife. His character reflects resilience amidst personal loss and the struggle to maintain family unity despite emotional upheaval.

👨‍👦 Family 💪 Strength

Alex Gromberg

Alex is a conflicted lawyer navigating his responsibilities at his father’s firm while confronting personal crises, including infidelity. His journey is one of self-discovery as he strives to reconcile his actions with his family's needs.

⚖️ Law 💔 Conflict

Rebecca (Alex's Wife)

Rebecca is a caring psychologist facing the emotional fallout of her husband’s betrayal. Her strong yet vulnerable character highlights the complexities of love and the challenges of confronting painful truths within a marriage.

💔 Betrayal 🧠 Psychology

Asher Gromberg

Asher, the younger son, embodies the struggles of adolescence as he faces issues related to peer pressure and substance abuse. His experiences reflect the impact of family dynamics on a young adult’s choices and identity.

⚠️ Youth 🚨 Challenges

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:36

Major Themes – It Runs in the Family (2003)

Explore the central themes of It Runs in the Family (2003), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💔 Betrayal

Betrayal is a central theme as Alex grapples with the consequences of his infidelity. It strains his relationship with Rebecca and highlights the fragility of trust within familial bonds. The family’s emotional journey showcases the complexities of love amidst personal failures.

🛠️ Reconciliation

The theme of reconciliation is prevalent as Alex navigates the fallout from his actions and seeks to mend his relationships. The family's attempts at healing, especially during challenging moments, emphasize the importance of communication and understanding in repairing bonds.

💼 Responsibility

Responsibility is explored through Alex's role as both a son and a lawyer, caught between personal aspirations and family obligations. The pressures of professional life juxtaposed with family crises illustrate the struggles many face in balancing duty and self-identity.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:36

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Bittersweet family dramas like It Runs in the Family

Stories where families confront past fractures to find a fragile hope.If you enjoyed the complex family dynamics and emotional weight of It Runs in the Family, you might like these movies. This thread gathers similar drama stories about grief, reconciliation, and identity crises that resonate with a bittersweet, hopeful tone.

melancholicdramaticgrievinghopefultenseintrospectivebittersweet

Narrative Summary

These narratives often begin with a catalyst—a death, a secret revealed, or a personal crisis—that forces family members to re-examine their relationships. The plot unfolds through candid conversations and emotional confrontations, exploring themes of identity and belonging. The journey is arduous, but the ending typically allows for a cautious, hard-won reconciliation rather than a perfectly happy resolution.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here because they share a core focus on the messy, painful, yet ultimately redemptive process of family healing. They balance heavy emotional themes like grief and betrayal with a steady, reflective pacing and a tone that is ultimately more melancholic than bleak.

Introspective documentaries about identity like It Runs in the Family

Quiet, personal explorations of identity against a backdrop of complex relationships.Fans of the personal, reflective journey in It Runs in the Family will appreciate these movies. This collection features similar stories with a moderate complexity that explore themes of self-discovery, identity crisis, and complex relationships through a candid, introspective lens.

introspectivesomberhopefuldramaticpersonalmelancholiccomplex

Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a central character as they unpack layers of their identity, often in response to a personal or familial catalyst. The structure is moderate, weaving the internal monologue or reflective interviews with external events and relationships. The focus is less on dramatic plot twists and more on the nuanced emotional and psychological evolution of the protagonist.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their primary focus on the internal, psychological journey of self-discovery. They share a melancholic yet hopeful tone, a steady pacing that allows for deep reflection, and a thematic core centered on questions of belonging and personal truth.

Unlock the Full Story of It Runs in the Family

Don't stop at just watching — explore It Runs in the Family in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what It Runs in the Family is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

It Runs in the Family Summary

Read a complete plot summary of It Runs in the Family, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

It Runs in the Family Summary

It Runs in the Family Timeline

Track the full timeline of It Runs in the Family with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

It Runs in the Family Timeline

It Runs in the Family Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of It Runs in the Family that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

It Runs in the Family Spoiler-Free Summary

More About It Runs in the Family

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about It Runs in the Family: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About It Runs in the Family

Similar Movies to It Runs in the Family

Discover movies like It Runs in the Family that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.