The nature, tone and graph of every personality is archetypal and follows a dynamic sequence that opens up the film to Streep's showy performance.
While it is fascinating to observe the layers of this family unfold with brilliant performances from the lead pair, Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts, it is the climax that seems unnatural, rigid and borderline over-the-top, a bit disappointing considering that the two ladies are such natural actors.
Juliette Lewis as Karen brings a much needed flightiness and amusing relief to the brawl, but her reactions are often tacky, misleading her act as a stereotypical bimbo whereas Julianne Nicholson as Ivy, who innocently and patiently waits to put up her defences when the conflict inevitably pushes her away from her family, seems to be lost in the farce.
Being a matriarchal family, you realize that the men are relegated to the background and are wasted.
