"BROTHERS & SISTERS: THE COMPLETE THIRD SEASON"
DVD Review
by Kevin Carr
| MOVIE: ***1/2 (out of 5 stars)
DVD EXPERIENCE: *** (out of 5 stars) STARRING Calista Flockhart as KITTY Sally Field as NORA Rachel Griffiths as SARAH Ron Rifkin as SAUL Balthazar Getty as TOMMY Patricia Wettic as HOLLY Dave Annable as JUSTIN Matthew Rhys as KEVIN Rated TV-PG Studio: ABC Studios Back to DVD Review Home |  |
WHAT IT’S ABOUT
The drama of the Walker family continues for another season. In this year, Nora (Sally Field) is trying to build a business of her own while Holly (Patricia Wettic) is sinking her claws deeper into Ojai Foods. In an attempt to get Ojai back in the family, Tommy (Balthazar Getty) puts his career and family in jeopardy while Saul (Ron Rifkin) strikes out on his own. Sarah (Rachel Griffiths) starts work with an internet company while Kitty (Calista Flockhart) and Robert (Rob Lowe) face challenges while they try to start a family. More drama ensues when Nora tracks down another illegitimate child of her husband, which also puts a strain on the budding relationship between Justin (Dave Annable) and Rebecca (Emily Van Camp).
WHAT I LIKED
Here is me, virtually slumping to the reader with my figurative tail between my legs. Back during the first season of “Brothers and Sisters,” I avoided the show after watching my weekly dose of “Desperate Housewives.” When the second season came around, I watched the DVD in order to review it. Now, after having seen the third season in its broadcast run and then revisited it on DVD, I have to say that it has grown on me.
In fact, compared to the slate of other straight dramas from ABC Studios (which include “Desperate Housewives,” “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Private Practice”), I have to say this is probably my favorite one. No longer do a cringe before I watch it. In fact, I welcome the show, as it has warmed up to me rather nicely.
Sure, the Walkers are an endlessly irritating family, but they stick together. And within all their drama is a healthy dose of realism that can help anyone relate to their own family. I may not like the characters’ actions all the time. In fact, their actions are sometimes downright nasty. But they all fit within the context of their own make-up. And everyone (or at least most everyone) is trying to do the right thing from their point of view.
The acting in this show is quite good, with only a few soft spots. Even actors like Sally Field, whom I normally can’t stand, fit their characters well and bring them to life in an endearing way. I don’t know why this show has grown on me like it has, but I don’t have a problem watching it, and I keep finding myself rooting for the Walkers at almost every turn.
And considering my tastes lean more towards ABC’s “Lost,” that says a lot for this series.
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE
Don’t mistake all this praise as a declaration that “Brothers and Sisters” is a flawless show. There are some rough patches, mainly in certain storylines that seem forced. When Nora goes looking for her other non-child, it was clear that things were going to get ugly, and I find it hard to believe that she never foresaw this. Plus, the drama between Tommy and Holly was whisper thin, and that didn’t always settle right. Finally, there are some revelations about Rebecca near the end of the season that seem thrown in with no relevance to her character but instead as a way to extend the drama.
DVD FEATURES
This six-disc DVD set has a nice selection of special features considering it’s a third season, and the bonus material often settles after the second season. The special features are scattered throughout the six discs and include commentary on select episodes and deleted scenes on many of the episodes.
There’s also a blooper reel and three featurettes. “The Ojai Experience” follows the cast to a real-life family winery where they learn how a company like Ojai Foods might really work. “In-Between Scenes” shows the shenanigans that go on during the filming. Finally, “The Mothers of Brothers and Sisters” take a look at the different mothers featured on the show and how they remind different crew members of their own moms.
WHO’S GOING TO LIKE THIS MOVIE
People looking for a solid family drama on prime time television.
