Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- wry
- bittersweet
- tense
- classic crime movie night
- family drama double feature
What critics said
Critics broadly found the talented cast underused by an unfocused screenplay that struggles to balance its heist plot with its family drama.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Adam's proposed burglary brings Jessie, Vito, and Adam together while exposing long-standing grievances.
Jessie's criminal career and Vito's shady past shape fears about Adam's future.
The burglary plot repeatedly gives way to conflicts between three generations of the McMullen family.
Vito tries to keep Adam straight while Jessie remains intrigued by the grandson's criminal scheme.
Films like Family Business, and why
The Anderson Tapes
shared heist framework, family conflict, and comedy drama tone
The Italian Job
shared intergenerational criminal partnership and uneasy family loyalties
The Sting
shared caper mechanics balanced against intimate family dysfunction
Movie Details
- Director
- Sidney Lumet
- Release Date
- 1989-12-06
- Runtime
- 110 min
- Rating
- 5.7 / 10 (292)
Cast
- Sean Connery
- Dustin Hoffman
- Matthew Broderick
- Rosanna DeSoto
- Janet Carroll
- Victoria Jackson
- Bill McCutcheon
- Deborah Rush
- Marilyn Cooper
- Salem Ludwig
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Family Business about?
- Three generations of New York criminals test whether family loyalty can survive one more burglary.
- What is Family Business like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Family Business as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Family Business violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Family Business as mild.
- What did critics think of Family Business?
- Critics broadly found the talented cast underused by an unfocused screenplay that struggles to balance its heist plot with its family drama.
- Which films are like Family Business?
- Films with a similar feel include The Anderson Tapes, The Italian Job, and The Sting.
- How long is Family Business?
- Family Business runs 110 minutes.
- Where can I watch Family Business?
- In United States, Family Business is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
