Diane Keaton as Sybil Stone smiling warmly in The Family Stone.Image via 20th Century Fox
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Mauricio Cueto
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Mauricio is a Mexican guy who gets attached to cancelled TV shows, likes to read Marvel comics about underdog teams, and has been told one-too-many times he looks like Penn Badgley, specifically in his stalker-y roles. He discovered his passion for pop culture with Power Rangers and the Star Wars Special Edition re-releases. Professionally, he's got a degree in International Finance and has been in the real estate business for almost 10 years now (yikes!). Magically, he's 83% Ravenclaw and 17% Slytherin. Musically, he thinks Jack Antonoff is a multiversal being with the key to create bop after bop.
He specializes in over-analyzing his favorite shows like Glee, Lost, Community, Ugly Betty, and Grey's Anatomy; as well as his favorite actors' performances, like Olivia Colman, Olivia Colman, and Olivia Colman. Just kidding, other faves include Anna Kendrick, Rachel Bloom, Lee Pace, Maggie Smith, Elizabeth Olsen, and Olivia Colman.
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With holiday season just around the corner, the inevitable avalanche of cheesy films is about to invade airwaves and streaming platforms. While these are enjoyable because of their light-heartedness, the craving for deeper seasonal family stories may also flourish during this time. One of the most notable – and underrated – examples of this list is The Family Stone. The movie, which is turning 20 years this December, shines a light on family problematics that become sharper during the holidays.
The Family Stone tells a tight story that works perfectly as a one-off. Still, with the drama that they all brewed during their 2005 Christmas, it’s inevitable to wonder what has happened to the Stone clan ever since. In an interview with CNN, writer and director Thomas Bezucha stated that – following Diane Keaton’s recent passing – he’s begun working on a sequel. There are risks to reviving such a beloved holiday classic, but there’s no better time to bring The Family Stone back – and it would fit perfectly as a touching way to honor Keaton’s legacy.
A ‘The Family Stone’ Sequel Would Be the Perfect Way To Honor Diane Keaton
Diane Keaton as Sybil Stone smiling with a Christmas tree in the background in The Family Stone.Image via 20th Century Fox
Many particular situations and confrontations unfold in The Family Stone. At the center of the turmoil are Keaton’s Sybil and Sarah Jessica Parker’s Meredith, the girlfriend of the eldest Stone son, Everett (Dermot Mulroney). The Stones have to balance dealing with Meredith as an outsider, while also coming to terms with the fact that this might be Sybil’s last Christmas. Thus, through a one-year flash-forward, the film ends on a bittersweet note by revealing that – spoiler alert – Sybil effectively passed away sometime during the year.
At the time, The Family Stone’s ending was sentimental. With Sybil’s presence still looming at the Stone household, the family honors her in a final scene that perfectly mixes longing and acceptance. This year’s rewatch, the pathos will be elevated by the raw sentiment of Keaton’s death. Sybil left a void in the Stone family 20 years ago, and Keaton’s passing has now left a void in the entertainment industry. One of the best ways to honor Keaton's legacy relies on producing a sequel to one of her most memorable roles of the 21st century.
The Original Cast of ‘The Family Stone’ Is Willing To Return for a Sequel
In the same CNN interview, Bezucha also shared a vital piece of information – he has contacted the original cast, and they would be up for a Stone family reunion. The film ends by teasing a new family dynamic. Meredith is finally embraced as part of the Stones, but as the girlfriend of another sibling, Ben (Luke Wilson). Meredith’s sister, Julie (Claire Danes), in turn, is the one who ends up with Mulroney’s Everett. This couple switcheroo alone would be a delight to follow-up on – and see what toll time has taken on the quartet.
A sequel to The Family Stone should also expand on the other Stone siblings, perhaps even putting them at the center of the commotion this time around. At the end of the film, Rachel McAdams’ Amy ends up rekindling a past flame, while Tyrone Giordano’s Thad becomes a dad along with his partner Patrick (Brian J. White). A second outing should explore where they are now after those life-defining decisions. Last but not least, there ought to be justice for Elizabeth Reaser’s Susannah. For the whole film, she is the most balanced element of the family, but ends up underdeveloped because of it. Being the eldest sibling, she could now become the head of the family, as she deserves to be.
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Posts 1 By Dawson Nyffenegger Dec 21, 2024We Haven’t Had an Awkward Christmas Movie Like ‘The Family Stone’ in a Long Time
The cast of The Family Stone sitting at the table at an awkward dinner scene.Image via 20th Century Fox
Many Christmas films end up falling in the awkward or cringey categories. But The Family Stone’s magic relies on embracing its awkwardness and making it a vital part of its narrative. There aren’t many movies that can boast having achieved this successfully. Perhaps the last one that dabbled into this territory and came out semi-unharmed is another one of Keaton’s holiday entries – 2015’s Love the Coopers. With Bezucha at the helm again for a second outing in the Stone family saga, some level of consistency with the original film’s tone should be guaranteed.
Some classics – particularly Christmas ones – are better left alone. But, in the case of The Family Stone, a follow-up should be awkwardly nice. This imperfect family has lived in the collective mind of die-hard Christmas fans for 20 years now. It’s only logical to bring them back and see what they’ve been up to all these years – even more if the original cast is enthusiastic about the idea. Also, while Sybil’s death brought the fictional family together all those years back, Keaton’s passing should be enough reason to reunite the work family once again.
The Family Stone
Like PG-13 Release Date December 16, 2005 Runtime 104 Minutes Director Thomas BezuchaCast
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Claire Danes
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Diane Keaton
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Rachel McAdams
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Dermot Mulroney
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Diane Keaton
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