The Talent Given Us

Play trailer

The Talent Given Us

2004,

1h 38m,

Comedy/

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

57%

49 Reviews

Tomatometer

46%

100+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

57%

Tomatometer

49 Reviews

46%

Popcornmeter

100+ Ratings

Filmmaker Andrew Wagner cast his own mother, father and sisters to portray themselves in this film, which is partially based on their own experiences. Elderly New Yorkers Judy and Allen Wagner wish they were closer to their son, Andrew, who is currently trying to make his mark in Hollywood. The couple drag their adult daughters, Maggie and Emily, along with them on an odyssey across the United States to reunite with Andrew. Along the way, the family's regrets and secrets begin to surface.

Critics Consensus

The Talent Given Us is an odd hybrid of reality and fiction, but works due to its engaging characters.

Read Critics Reviews

Damon Smith

Time Out

Oct 13, 2005

Faux documentary, home movie or unexpurgated family therapy? The Talent Given Us, a funny, surprising ride with a mercurial New York clan, is all three.

Go to Full Review

Christopher Kelly

Fort Worth Star-Telegram/DFW.com

Oct 13, 2005

B+

[A] one-of-a-kind movie that sends the family road-trip genre happily spinning into these self-obsessed, overanalytical times; it's National Lampoon's Vacation as re-imagined by Dr. Phil.

Go to Full Review

Shauna Lyon

The New Yorker

Oct 13, 2005

The notion that there is no escape from one's family is elevated-and ameliorated-by the inkling that the Wagners' story is, in fact, real.

Go to Full Review

Felix Vasquez Jr.

Cinema Crazed

Apr 29, 2009

It's a self-indulgent, utterly painful film that attempts to explore all sorts of genres, but it fails.

Go to Full Review

Doris Toumarkine

Film Journal International

Mar 1, 2007

The ranting, whining, kvetching, self-involved family begins to outstay its welcome [...] so that time spent with them can feel like entrapment at a raucous bar mitzvah reception.

Go to Full Review

Robin Clifford

Reeling Reviews

Dec 1, 2005

B+

The unwashed talent and originality of "The Talent Given Us" makes it a compelling and fascinating film.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Andrew Wagner

Director

Judy Wagner

Judy

Allen Wagner

Allen

Emily Wagner

Emily

Maggie Wagner

Maggie

Judy Dixon

Bumby

Swimmers

80%

74%

Swimmers

Watchlist

The Italian

58%

The Italian

Watchlist

Mullet

43%

Mullet

Watchlist

Lbs.

81%

67%

Lbs.

Watchlist

The Motel

88%

64%

The Motel

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

Filmmaker Andrew Wagner cast his own mother, father and sisters to portray themselves in this film, which is partially based on their own experiences. Elderly New Yorkers Judy and Allen Wagner wish they were closer to their son, Andrew, who is currently trying to make his mark in Hollywood. The couple drag their adult daughters, Maggie and Emily, along with them on an odyssey across the United States to reunite with Andrew. Along the way, the family's regrets and secrets begin to surface.

Director: Andrew Wagner
Producer: Andrew Wagner
Screenwriter: Andrew Wagner
Distributor: Daddy W. Productions
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 17, 2004, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 14, 2014
Runtime: 1h 38m
Sound Mix: Stereo

Join The Newsletter

Join The Newsletter

Cookie Settings