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Reviewed by Elliot V. Kotek
(June 2011, screening at the 2011 Los Angeles Film Festival)

Directed by: Mike Akel
Written by: Mike Akel and Matt Patterson
Starring: Troy Schremmer, Greg Wise, Janelle Schremmer, Chad Miller, Steven Schaefer, Megan Minto and Lauire Coker

With the tagline “A week of vacation. A lifetime to unpack,” “An Ordinary Family” is shaken up when Seth (Greg Wise) decides that the family reunion is the time to introduce his boyfriend to his Christian family, the majority of whom not only don’t know about his significant other but are in some denial about his homosexuality. Portrayed with wonderful realism and shot with fly-on-the-wall measure, the vacation home provides physical confines within which each of the family members must accept or challenge their predispositions and prejudices.

While Chris (Steven Schaefer) and his wife (Seth’s sister) Sharon (Megan Minto) provide comic relief, Seth’s brother Thomas (Troy Schremmer) is defined by his position in the church — as a pastor, Thomas is protective of the manner and extent to which his brother’s relationship is represented to his children and is unsure of how to communicate with Seth. With Thomas’ wife Mattie (Janelle Schremmer) on the side of openness and affection, a stalwart mother who provides unconditional love to all via ordinary gestures, the brothers are forced to find each other on the other side of fear.

There’s prettiness to David Blue Garcia’s cinematography, especially when he moves the camera outside, that imbues the film with endearing warmth. And director Mike Akel’s pacing shows a confidence that refuses to push the story or the agenda ahead of its right time. As a result, “An Ordinary Family” has an undeniable beauty that should succeed in touching everyone with whom it comes into contact.

Photo courtesy Los Angeles Film Festival