Review of Family Plot

Introduction

Quick, name a Hitchcock film.

Chances are, it`ll be something like "Psycho", "Rear Window", Vertigo, or "The Birds". Possibly even, "Rope", "North By Northwest", or "The Trouble With Harry". It is highly unlikely that you would come up with "Family Plot", Hitch`s last film which is little known and, to a large extent, deservedly so.

Family Plot is built on a fairly light premise. Blanche (Barbara Harris) and her boyfriend, George (Bruce Dern), are frauds who are trying to con a rich, old widow into believing they can find her lost heir. Arthur (William Devane) and his girlfriend, Fran (Karen Black), are an unscrupulous (are there any other sort?) pair of kidnappers. Through the usual labyrinthine Hitch plot, these two pairs of rogues find that they have something in common.

Video

Video is a widescreen Anamorphic 1.85:1 transfer and, while the print exhibits some dirt and grain, colour is richly presented and the image detail is generally good.

Visually, it is the usual Hitchcock treat of unusual composition and camera angles. However, the film was released in 1976 and, as with many films of this era, looks dated - more so than many of Hitchcock`s classics.

Audio

The mono soundtrack is adequate - dialogue is clear and the music (by John Williams) is well presented.

Features

In addition, to some trailers and a dull Art Gallery, there are two features of note. The documentary is comprehensive and interesting (often more so than the movie). Most of the cast and crew reminisce about their roles and their experiences of working with Hitchcock. The storyboard section is also fascinating, giving a graphical breakdown of the runaway car sequence. Overall, we have a decent set of features.

Conclusion

Family Plot is an uneasy mixture of the comedic and the macabre - often ploughing the same furrow as "The Trouble With Harry" but with less success. The plot is unable to retain the viewer`s interest and, while the cast are generally good (especially Dern), the characters are wholly unsympathetic and unbelievable.

It is not a complete disaster. There is some pleasure to be had from the lighter scenes and from spotting references to earlier films, but it is unlikely to be how Hitch would want to have been remembered. I`m going back to watch "North By Northwest" now.