• Tagline: If you’re hoping for the perfect family don’t hold your breath.
• Director: Nicole Holofcener
• Writer: Nicole Holofcener
• Release Date: 31 August 2001 (USA)
• MPAA Rating: Rated R for language and nudity.
• Parents Guide: View content advisory for parents
• Genre: Comedy | Drama
• Runtime: 91 min
• Box Office #’s: Here
The Marks family is a tightly-knit quartet of women. Jane is the affluent matriarch whose 3 daughters seem to have nothing in common except for a peculiar sort of idealism. Setting the tone of vanity and insecurity, Jane is undergoing cosmetic surgery to alter her figure, but serious complications put her health in real danger. Former homecoming queen Michelle, the eldest daughter, has one daughter of her own and an alienated, unsupportive husband. Elizabeth, the middle sister, has an acting career that is beginning to take off, but is timid and insecure, and habitually relieves her trepidation by taking in stray dogs. Only the youngest sister, Annie, an adopted African American 8-year-old, stands a chance of avoiding the family legacy of anxious self-absorption. If only her intelligence and curiosity will see her through what promises to be a confusing adolescence. Each of the women seeks redemption in her own haphazard way.
From the Gallery
Cast Highlights
• Catherine Keener … Michelle Marks
• Emily Mortimer … Elizabeth Marks
• Brenda Blethyn … Jane Marks
Quotes
Michelle Marks: Hi. I’d like to apply for the job.
Jordan: [laughs] No way.
Michelle Marks: Why not?
Jordan: You look like my mom.
Michelle Marks: [pause] If I haven’t developed pictures before, will somebody train me?
Jordan: I will.
Michelle Marks: Don’t look at me like that. You just said I look like your mom.
Jordan: My mom’s cute.
Michelle Marks: [pause] Can I have this job or not? Who do I have to talk to?
Jordan: My dad owns this place. Aren’t you going to give me a smile or something?
[pause]
Jordan: If I’m gonna give you the job…
[Michelle smiles halfheartedly]
Jordan: You’re hired.
Michelle Marks: Thanks.
Teenage Boy: [entering photo store] Hey, Splooge! Splooge! The pictures ready yet? You probably splooged all over them, didn’t you? You like the one of Jennifer topless, don’t you?
Jordan: Yeah, was that before or after her boob job?
Teenage Boy: Oh! Real perceptive for “cock boy.”
Jordan: Fuck you.
Teenage Boy: Oh! One hour photo boy said “fuck you!”
Jordan: Yeah, well some of us have to work, dickwad!
Other Teenage Boy: Work? Does that include splooging all over pictures of my girlfriend?
Jordan: I didn’t look at them. I didn’t splooge on them. I hate you.
Bartender: I need to see some ID.
Michelle Marks: Oh, he’s 22, I’ll vouch for him.
Bartender: [to Jordan] When were you born?
Jordan: Uh… 1947.
