When the COVID-19 pandemic forced the entire world to quarantine within their homes until told otherwise, many major life events were missed. In Family Squares, Stephanie Laing’s star-studded sophomore feature, the entire Worth family risks missing the passing of Mabel (June Squibb), a family matriarch who enjoys the occasional posthumous stirring up of household drama.
In order to all be together with Mabel as she passes, the Worths organize a group Zoom call that immediately turns into familial sparring. But once the quarrels subside and Mabel breathes her last breath, her attorney reveals a series of videos she recorded prior to her death. Each video is intent on exposing secrets and creating conflict, but the ultimate goal of the diaries is to bring the Worths closer together in a time when they are forced to be apart.
Like Host and Language Lessons before it, Family Squares uses the web-based film genre to tap into the isolation and frustration that so many people have experienced in the past two years and change. Stephanie Laing’s first film Irreplaceable You also deals with themes of love and death, but to a less endearing result. Where her first film fails to capture the raw and real aftermath of a close passing, her second effort conveys grief in a much more effective way by blending in a number of comedic scenes that highlight the roller coaster of emotions that can come from death.
It is impossible not to have admiration for any artist who managed to persevere and create something during the 2020 quarantine, but Family Squares is on a separate plane of accomplishment. The ensemble cast, made up of Henry Winkler, Judy Greer, Ann Dowd, Sam Richardson, Elsie Fisher, and Rob Reiner, only to name a few, is impressive, to say the least. The fact that they all banded together to make a competent and entertaining film out of glitchy webcam video and a whole lot of arguing is borderline staggering.
For all of its flaws, Family Squares is one of the most collaborative projects to come out of the pandemic. Additionally, it gives an accurate and hilarious depiction of what many family units turned into when the pandemic began. It could make for interesting programming in a series focusing on pandemic films or art created in isolation.
What kind of film collection would this title be suitable for?
This film could fit into a family drama collection or a collection focusing on large ensemble casts.
What public library shelves would this title be on?
This film could be included on Comedy and Drama shelves.
What type of library programming could use this title?
A program focused on pandemic filmmaking could use Family Squares due to the unique circumstances in which it was made.