Pass the Popcorn: Movies from where I Sit

One of my favorite comedies is directed by Diane Keaton, believe it or not.  And her exquisite photographic style is much in evidence.  "Unstrung Heroes" stars Andie MacDowell, Jon Turturro and Michael Edwards in a touching and funny story set in the 1950s about a disfunctional family seen through the eyes of the two children who must make sense of their weird uncles and bizarre father.  When the mother gets cancer and dies, their universe is shattered, as she is the anchor which has kept the family grounded.  Her uncles, hoarders and childlike, try to be there for the kids and the love in this family surmounts all obstacles.  Turturro is magnificent as the grieving father who has no fatherly instincts really, but loves his kids.  The uncles rise to the occasion and give the son the courage he needs to find his way to his new, altered life.  Richards and Maury Chaykin are delightful as the brothers who have social deficits but big hearts.  MacDowell is perfectly cast as the mother, tender and sad and struggling to hold these boy men in check.  You'll want to look closely at the sets, which are magnificent, and the pitch perfect costuming and period details.  I wish we'd seen more movies directed by Keaton, as this one shines many years later.