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Sam & Kate Reviews

Sam and Kate is a deeply unassuming dramedy that offers no great revelations about the human condition, but doesn’t intend to. It’s lightly poignant fodder made for adult viewers weary of spectacle

Full Review | Aug 11, 2023

As you'd expect from generations of Hollywood royalty, it's beautifully acted throughout.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Apr 18, 2023

Dull conversations and lackluster scenes prevent Sam & Kate from being the great romantic dramedy that it wants to be. The acting is admirable though, and the film's best moments make up for any flaws. The movie is better at depicting grief than romance.

Full Review | Dec 7, 2022

This is pretty good. I would say the casting is a trick, but it's a natural.

Full Review | Nov 30, 2022

Parents and kids working together adds to an overall sense of niceness that suffuses Sam and Kate as its characters sort through challenges many people face in an ordinary world.

No one wears a cape, but all four of these people, says LeGallo, who wrote the script, are heroes. They’ve survived to this point overcoming personal obstacles. Now fate brings them together and it’s not as obvious as you might think.

Full Review | Nov 22, 2022

Two generations of talent provide the warmth and charm for this enjoyable romantic comedy.

Full Review | Original Score: 7/10 | Nov 18, 2022

There’s a sweetness to the story that doesn’t overwhelm but there’s also more than a couple of narrative contrivances that simply don’t ring true.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/4.0 | Nov 16, 2022

The storyline may make it a fine choice for adult children to watch with their parents or grandparents, but there's not much here to entertain teens.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Nov 15, 2022

It’s good to see a couple of family members working so closely together and it’s nice to see that such great actors as Hoffman and Spacek have inspired their children.

Full Review | Nov 15, 2022

There's nothing terribly original going on here, but writer-director Darren Le Gallo and his ace cast infuse the film with the charm of a comfy armchair by a cracking fireplace.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/5 | Nov 15, 2022

Hoffman, Spacek (and their kids) enliven sweet, but slight, generational romance.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/4 | Nov 14, 2022

Dustin Hoffman & Sissy Spacek unfortunately are not playing the title characters. Their instant, natural chemistry cannot be replicated by their real-life children whose roles are too awkwardly distant to survive a shift into a hoarder storyline.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/4 | Nov 14, 2022

Predictable, mawkish and shallow relationship feel-good family drama.

Full Review | Original Score: C+ | Nov 14, 2022

“Sam & Kate” may be the cinematic equivalent of comfort food, but there’s a reason people seek out comfort food – it makes them feel good, and “Sam & Kate” sure will make you feel good.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Nov 12, 2022

Better with the in-between moments...When the chaacters are just interacting quietly they convey a great deal and the events interrupt the delicacy of those scenes.

Full Review | Original Score: B | Nov 11, 2022

... doesn’t give the parallel courtships much depth or complexity, although there are snippets where all four actors shine, particularly in its portrayal of seniors finding love.

Full Review | Nov 11, 2022

In naming the film Sam & Kate instead of Bill & Tina, Le Gallo seems to have been trying to pass the baton from one generation to the next, but he forgot to come up with a good story in the process.

Mother and daughter Sissy Spacek and Schuyler Fisk are mother and daughter opposite Dustin Hoffman and Jake Hoffman. Perfs are solid and while a bit dour, the film offers gentle respite from the noise of provocative, demanding awards season entries.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | Nov 11, 2022

These lessons are all fine and good, but it takes well over an hour into the 110-minute run time for “Sam & Kate” to reveal any conflict worth paying attention to.

Sam & Kate Review: A Heartwarming Dramedy with a Standout Cast

The debut feature film from Darren Le Gallo pulls on the viewers' heart strings, while offering strong performances from acting legends.

Sam & Kate is a new drama-comedy feature film from director Darren Le Gallo that stars Jake Hoffman ( The Wolf of Wall Street ), Schuyler Fisk ( Castle Rock ), Dustin Hoffman ( The Graduate , Rain Man ), Sissy Spacek ( Carrie ), and Henry Thomas ( E.T. the Extraterrestrial , The Haunting of Hill House ). The film follows father-and-son duo Sam and Bill (played by the Hoffmans), who live together and have a close relationship that often has them both stuck in their own ways, even as Sam takes care of Bill through a myriad of health issues. In an accidental meeting, the two come upon Kate (Fisk) and Tina (Spacek), a mother and daughter who are also sessile in their own lives. Through new friendships, the four find themselves learning new paths in their lives, and unlocking emotions that have been tucked away for years.

The film premiered at the Austin Film Festival earlier this year, and releases on November 11th, 2022, in select theaters.

A "Family" Film

One of the shining areas of Sam & Kate comes from the incredible chemistry of its actors and performances. All the characters' emotions feel real, which makes sense due to the fact that not only are Bill and Sam played by real-life father and son, Dustin and Jake Hoffman , but Kate and Tina, the love interests of Bill and Sam, are played by real-life mother and daughter, Sissy Spacek and Schuyler Fisk. The latter two have acted together before, as Fisk played the younger version of Spacek in Hulu's Castle Rock .

The back-and-forth banter is real; the tears are genuine, and the hugs pull on the heartstrings, as the two duos are able to put their real love for their parents and children on screen. Fisk and Jake Hoffman are especially memorable, being handed the torches by two legendary actors, and keeping the audience focused on their story. Both actors have their own emotionally raw and incredible moments that are burned into the audience's brains well after the film ends.

Related: Dustin Hoffman Joins Star-Studded Cast of Francis Ford Coppola's Megalopolis

The Old Guard Still Has It

Dustin Hoffman and Sissy Spacek may not be the popular names they once were in Hollywood, but Hoffman is a seven-time Academy Award nominee , and a two-time winner for Best Actor ( Rain Man and Kramer vs. Kramer ), while Spacek is a six-time nominee, and won for Best Actress ( Coal Miner's Daughter ). Even well into their 70s and 80s, the two deliver powerhouse performances in Sam & Kate . Hoffman is still able to seamlessly weave between the dramatic and the comedic, making Bill both extremely lovable, while still capturing the frigid sadness of an aging man trying to find meaning after the death of his spouse. Spacek is still able to unlock the laid-back, yet instantly serious calm that she's presented throughout her 50+ year career. Both actors play off of one another brilliantly, making the audience wish they'd seen the duo team-up in their acting primes. Regardless, Hoffman and Spacek are iconic, and they still continue to do phenomenal work.

From Grief Comes Forward Progress

The story of Sam & Kate covers many different areas on the spectrum of sadness and grief. Bill, having previously lost his wife, is stuck in his ways, and reluctant to venture into anything new, while simultaneously belittling his son for doing the same. Sam is affected in a completely different way, as his sense of purposelessness and self-loathing have kept him from becoming who and what he truly wants to be. Kate is still recovering from a devastating loss in her life, and a reluctance to move forward, and Tina suffers from a mixture of disability and pride, not allowing herself to be helped by anyone. The four characters show that while bad things can and do happen, sometimes it takes the right connection with the right person to move forward out of a rut. It's an important lesson to remember for everyone, and the film does a great job of reminding us of that.

Related: The Best Acting Performances in Horror Movies, Ranked

A Nice Comedy Balance

Although the film is marketed as a comedy, it's mostly an emotionally-driven drama. However, there are a lot of fantastic comedic moments that help offset the rough moments in the film, mostly at the hands of Dustin Hoffman's character, Bill. Obviously, Bill has been through his share of traumatic experiences, but there are many times when his wittiness and humor shine through to carry the moment into the light, particularly in the back-and-forth chatter with his son. People often forget that Hoffman does extremely well in comedic films and that he shined in Hook , Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium, Meet the Fockers , and as Master Shifu in the Kung Fu Panda franchise .

Henry Thomas also does a great job of bringing some humor to the film. Thomas portrays Sam's best friend, Ron, who works with Sam, and encourages him to take the needed steps to fulfill himself. It's nice to see Thomas in a more light-hearted role, especially after his run in several of Mike Flanagan's horror shows , like Midnight Mass and the upcoming The Fall of the House of Usher .

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‘Sam & Kate’ Review: Dustin Hoffman and Sissy Spacek Family Project Disappoints

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“Sam & Kate” is a family affair, which is essentially the entire conceit for the film’s existence. Dustin Hoffman and Sissy Spacek play Bill and Tina, while Jake Hoffman and Schuyler Fisk (Spacek’s daughter with production designer Jack Fisk ) play their respective kids, Sam and Kate. It’s the story of young adults and their challenging relationships with their quirky aging parents, fumbling toward a kind of grace in spite of their pasts.

The appeal of the film is its gimmick: watching two legendary actors who defined New Hollywood in the 1970s playing parents to their own children and the unique chemistry that comes from that. It also helps that the kids look a lot like their parents.

But Hoffman and Fisk aren’t carbon copies of their parents, and neither have their careers. Both have been acting since childhood, but Hoffman has gone the indie route, having directed the feature “Asthma,” while also appearing in such films as “Wolf of Wall Street.” Fisk was somewhat of a Y2K ingenue, starring in “Snow Day” and “Orange County,” before pursuing a music career in the mid-aughts and slowly returning to acting in the past few years.

Also Read: Dustin Hoffman Joins Francis Ford Coppola’s ‘Megalopolis’

It’s also a family affair behind the scenes, as “Sam & Kate” is the directorial debut of actor and painter Darren Le Gallo, who is married to Amy Adams, who serves as executive producer on the film. Le Gallo wrote and directed “Sam & Kate,” which has a low-key, understated energy, melancholy tone and languid pace, slowly, eventually, making its way to the point.

One has to wonder if Le Gallo’s idea for the film was to put these actors together with a few plot points (and an idea to incorporate Fisk’s musical talents) and then let them improvise the entire thing, because the script does not give the cast much to work with, and the internal structure of each scene feels flabby and disorganized.

Crafted in a slightly different register (with more light, color and humor), this story could work as an easily digestible holiday movie (and frankly, that version sounds more fun). Sam has recently returned home to his small town, leaving behind a career in comic books, to care for his ornery father Bill. He works at a chocolate factory and otherwise gets stoned and sketches.

Also Read: Rachael Leigh Cook and ‘The Baby-Sitters Club’ Cast Stage a Reunion (Photo)

On Christmas Eve, he spots Kate in the window of her bookshop and instantly falls hard; his awkward flirting doesn’t get him very far, but he and Bill always seem to be there when Kate and Tina are in a pinch, needing a ride home from church or offering to fix Kate’s car in exchange for a home-cooked meal.

In one of those classic rom-com tropes, it seems like months pass, but it’s only New Year’s Eve by the time Sam ropes the cagey Kate into a roller-skating date (although the week between Christmas and New Years’ does seem longer than usual). Despite her mysterious hang-ups, Sam and Kate start a halting but sweet romance. Bill and Tina seem destined for the same outcome, enjoying a New Year’s dinner date, but Tina’s got secrets of her own, and Bill’s failing health and grief over losing his wife dooms the relationship before it starts.

Also Read: How ‘Tootsie’ Director Sydney Pollack Tricked Dustin Hoffman Into Behaving on the Famously Fraught Set (Exclusive Book Excerpt)

Part of the message of “Sam & Kate” deals with people learning to extricate themselves from their parent’s issues, which can be hard if you’re living with them or otherwise in close proximity. But not everything can be blamed on dear old mom and dad, and the second half of that lesson is getting over your own baggage in order to show up for the right person.

These lessons are all fine and good, but it takes well over an hour into the 110-minute run time for “Sam & Kate” to reveal any conflict worth paying attention to. That first hour is a meandering mope fest of Sam asking for Kate’s number and getting turned down. But then we finally get to the interesting stuff, the treatment is simply bizarre. Music cues and camera movements tell us something is dark or foreboding, thematically, but what’s then revealed isn’t all that shocking, and the characters’ outsize reactions to those reveals make little sense.

It’s clear in the aesthetically and emotionally stripped-down “Sam & Kate” that Le Gallo is going for something that resonates as achingly human and authentic in his treatment of the challenges and obstacles that people face in everyday life, often through stoicism or shutting down. Fisk and Hoffman (the younger) make a fine pair on screen with a natural chemistry; it’s nice to see her back in a romantic leading role. You just wish the two had more substantive material to work with. In fact, the Hallmark holiday version of this film would likely have been more entertaining, or at least shorter.

“Sam & Kate” opens in US theaters Nov. 11 via Vertical Releasing.

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‘Sam & Kate’ Review: Dustin Hoffman and Sissy Spacek Family Project Disappoints

It’s fun to watch these legends play parents to their real-life offspring, but this rom-com offers little beyond that central gimmick

“Sam & Kate” is a family affair, which is essentially the entire conceit for the film’s existence. Dustin Hoffman and Sissy Spacek play Bill and Tina, while Jake Hoffman and Schuyler Fisk (Spacek’s daughter with production designer Jack Fisk) play their respective kids, Sam and Kate. It’s the story of young adults and their challenging relationships with their quirky aging parents, fumbling toward a kind of grace in spite of their pasts.

Dustin Hoffman Francis Ford Coppola Megalopolis

“Sam & Kate” opens in US theaters Nov. 11 via Vertical Releasing.

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New york african film festival to feature ‘over the bridge’, ‘dilli dark’, short film ep’d by spike lee and more, ‘sam & kate’ austin film festival review: dustin hoffman & son, sissy spacek & daughter make indie drama a family affair.

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‘Sam & Kate' Review: Dustin Hoffman & Sissy Spacek's Kids Steal The Spotlight From Their Parents in Excellent Drama

Jake Hoffman and Schuyler Fisk steal the spotlight from their Oscar-winning parents.

There are so many movies about love. There are so many movies about grief. These two subjects lend themselves to stories quite well because at some point, whether we like it or not, we all will experience these things. Not only are love and loss universal themes, but they are also malleable, bending and twisting to our unique circumstances. Hollywood has a habit of romanticizing love and loss, favoring drama over authenticity. Sam & Kate , however, isn’t like other films. This delightful breath of fresh air evades certain tropes, leans into others, and exceeds expectations.

While everything harmonizes in this movie, with an honest script, sharp direction, and dynamic characters, the casting is what makes it really sing. Darren Le Gallo ’s feature directorial debut follows the intermingling of two dysfunctional parent-child relationships. Bill ( Dustin Hoffman ) is an easily irritated but mostly caring older man who is frustrated with his current circumstances. His heart troubles and overall habits (smoking, eating, drinking) are putting his already poor health at an even greater risk, and his adult son Sam (brilliantly played by his real-life son Jake Hoffman ) has moved back in with him to keep a closer watch on his old man.

Sam isn’t exactly thrilled to be back home in the middle of nowhere in the middle of the country. When he’s not taking his dad to the doctor, he’s working his shift at the chocolate factory and working on his impressive sketches that never see the light of day. This father-son dynamic is quite endearing (Sam calls his father “Bill” per his dad’s request) and their bond is further cemented by the shared trauma of losing a wife and mother to cancer. Despite their frequent bumping of heads when Sam tries to sneak any form of nutrition into Bill’s diet (don’t tell him it’s tofu bacon) and Bill’s constant comments about Sam’s future, it’s clear the pair cares deeply for each other.

RELATED: 'Sam & Kate' Trailer: Dustin Hoffman & Sissy Spacek Team Up With Their Real Children for Cozy Rom-Com

We meet the other half of the film’s title when Sam walks past a local antique bookstore. In the window is Kate ( Schuyler Fisk ), the girl-next-door-type owner who likes to focus her attention on anything but herself. Though Sam initially lets his self-doubt get the better of him and walks past the entrance, he backpedals and enters the store. Their meet-cute—which Sam did his best to organically orchestrate—drips with chemistry while also remaining incredibly realistic. What’s refreshing and charming is how upfront both are right away. “I was wondering if I could call you, we could hang out?” Sam says with a hesitant smile after speaking to Kate for under five minutes. “I’m not really dating right now,” Kate says after a beat, to which Sam replies, “That’s perfect, because I’m not dating anyone right now.” Though this elicits a smile from Kate, it’s ultimately no dice for Sam. Kate isn’t playing “hard to get” to create a sense of intrigue or mystery, but is rather working through some of her own trauma that is delicately revealed later in the film. Given these two characters are the title of the movie, it’s safe to assume that they would be crossing paths again.

Sam & Kate doesn’t lean too much into stereotypical rom-com moments, but the times it does, it works. And let’s be clear: this is not a romantic comedy. It's less of a “love” story and more of a “life” story that happens to feature budding romances that come about when you both least expect it and most need it. Chance encounters are a common occurrence in this film, which is convenient from a storytelling perspective, but thanks to Le Gallo's beautifully curated world and genuine care for his characters, these run-ins flow very well. After Christmas Eve mass, Bill prepares to confront the driver who took his usual parking spot, only to learn that it’s Tina ( Sissy Spacek ), a woman who used to sing in the choir. It just so happens that Tina is accompanied by her daughter, Kate, which leads to a delightfully awkward reunion between the titular pair and kicks the narrative into gear. Spacek is also Schuyler’s mother in real life, and, similar to the Hoffmans, their effortless rapport is simply a joy to watch.

Sparks fly for Tina and Bill, though both are reluctant to light the fire. They are angry and scared at their loss of control in life and get irrationally possessive and frustrated over benign things. Bill, for example, doesn’t understand why it was decided that red lights mean “stop” and green means “go,” much to Sam’s exhaustion. Tina and Bill often take their grievances out on their children who are simply trying to help. Tina is a hoarder (or as she prefers to be called, a “collector”), and Bill feels suffocated by his health changes. Though it’s hard, both are able to let go of their pent-up stresses when they are together, making for beautiful moments of connection. It’s on a candlelit date where we learn a bit more about Bill and Tina’s past and hear them speak sweetly about their children. Spacek and Hoffman speak with hesitation, almost guilty for enjoying the moment. It even takes Tina to say, “Let’s just not worry about anything for a minute,” for the pair to really enjoy the moment.

While the Hollywood legends don’t disappoint, it’s their children who steal the spotlight. Being able to hold your own in—let alone carry — a movie alongside those heavyweights is no easy feat, but it’s especially impressive considering Schuyler and Jake are not household names. Their one-on-one interactions, almost always initiated by Sam, are unabashedly vulnerable and deep without at all feeling contrived. It doesn’t feel like you are watching a movie but rather eavesdropping on their coffee date. Or as Sam so smoothly puts it to a skeptical Kate, “Not a date, just a friendly chat with caffeine.” Le Gallo’s dialogue for Sam and Kate is genuine, playful, and consistently captivating, and Jake and Schuyler do it justice. The authenticity spills from their mouths, complete with all the necessary pauses and mannerisms to demonstrate that they are getting increasingly comfortable with the other.

These intimate interactions serve as a respite from life’s at-times mundane reality. Sam is fed up with his job at the chocolate factory picking out the “imperfect” candies with his eccentric buddy Ron (hilariously played by E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial 's Henry Thomas , who also wrote and performed certain songs on the soundtrack). Kate, though she owns the quaint yet successful bookstore, still feels something is missing. It isn’t until they take charge of their unique narratives that their lives start to mold into the ones they deserved all along.

Sam & Kate reminds us that life is unpredictable in the best and worst of ways, and that you shouldn't wait to pursue who or what you are passionate about.

Sam & Kate is now playing in theaters.

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Sam & kate, common sense media reviewers.

Pot-positive drama about family isn't intended for teens.

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Themes of loving family members despite their flaw

Both title characters are adults who are taking ca

All main characters are White (some are Jewish), t

Plot is about two developing romances, and there's

Strong language includes "a--holes," "damn," "dumb

A can of Budweiser is shown with half of the label

All of the characters smoke, whether it be cigars,

Positive Messages

Themes of loving family members despite their flaws and getting a second chance at love.

Positive Role Models

Both title characters are adults who are taking care of their aging parents; they treat them with kindness, empathy, and compassion, despite each parent's frustrating behaviors.

Diverse Representations

All main characters are White (some are Jewish), though there's a close interracial friendship. A man is shown to be vulnerable, sweet, caring. Female business owner. Romance between senior citizens. One character is dealing with a mental behavior disorder and gets support.

Did we miss something on diversity? Suggest an update.

Sex, Romance & Nudity

Plot is about two developing romances, and there's kissing, hand-holding, and dancing. Sex is implied by seeing a couple in bed together after the fact, as well as a verbal reference. Sexual euphemisms expressed with harshness between characters.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.

Strong language includes "a--holes," "damn," "dumbass," "hell," "s--t," "f--k." Sexual slang, used to shame a man. Also "jerk," "idiot," "schmuck."

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Products & Purchases

A can of Budweiser is shown with half of the label visible.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

All of the characters smoke, whether it be cigars, pot, or cigarettes. Marijuana is shown in an overwhelmingly positive light, with 2/3 of the characters smoking it and talking about or visually demonstrating the benefits. Characters drink wine and beer, including at a bar.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Sam & Kate is a dramedy starring father-son pair Dustin and Jake Hoffman and mother-daughter duo Sissy Spacek and Schuyler Fisk . The storyline follows two adult children who are taking care of their aging parents, with both the older characters and the younger ones pursuing romances. Expect flirting, dating, kissing, and implied sex (characters are shown in bed together after the fact). All of the characters smoke, whether it's cigars, pot, or cigarettes. The pot use in particular is presented very positively. Counter-stereotypical portrayals include a man who's sensitive, caring, and emotional. The film also offers a compassionate look at a mental behavior disorder. And it addresses loss, including the loss of a child. There's some swearing and insult language ("a--holes," "f--k," etc.), as well as sexual slang. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails .

Where to Watch

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What's the Story?

When SAM & KATE initially meet, they don't realize how much they have in common. Both are the sole caretakers of their aging parents, Bill ( Dustin Hoffman ) and Tina ( Sissy Spacek ). When Bill and Tina start pursuing a romantic relationship, it pulls Sam ( Jake Hoffman ) and Kate ( Schuyler Fisk ) together, too.

Is It Any Good?

On its face, this is a sweet romance about a couple of 40ish adults trying to live their lives while managing difficult parents who are getting toward the end of theirs. But on another level, Sam & Kate feels like it has an agenda of promoting cannabis use among adults. One of viewers' first glimpses into the life of Sam, a fantastic character brought to life with gentle complexity by Jake Hoffman, is him schlepping through his menial job in a chocolate factory. We don't know much about his life prior to this, just that he was an artist who put his professional aspirations on hold to come back to his small hometown to care for his aging father. On break, he and his musician friend, Ron ( Henry Thomas ), smoke pot. His dad reprimands him for his pot use and, later, the fact that he's high does have a consequence -- but it's not emphasized. What is glowingly highlighted is two older women talking secretively about how marijuana offers benefits. And when one of them tries it, the sky parts and sunshine lights her face -- just a few puffs, and it seems she's healed of all that ails her.

Whether or not extolling pot use was writer-director Darren Le Gallo's intent is beside the point: Sam & Kate isn't really for kids. The storyline may make it a fine choice for adult children to watch with their parents or grandparents, but there's not much here to entertain teens. Adults may be tickled by seeing Dustin and Jake Hoffman playing father and son, and Spacek and Fisk playing mother and daughter. Those relationships, not to mention the actors' physical similarities, create a wonderful familiarity and authenticity. What's even more fun is that while, yes, of course, the Academy Award-winning actors give fantastic performances, their 40-year-old progeny are the ones you can't keep your eyes off of. Jake Hoffman and Fisk are both working actors, but Le Gallo really gives them their moment to shine here -- and they run with it. When they smile, it reaches into your soul and leaves you wanting to see more from these two talents.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about how Sam & Kate portrays smoking and drug use . Are they glamorized? Are there realistic consequences? Why does that matter?

Three acting families are involved in this film: the Hoffmans, the Spacek-Fisks, and writer-director Darren Le Gallo and his wife, Amy Adams , who executive-produces. When family members work together, do you see it negatively (i.e., as nepotism), or do you like seeing families working together? How do you think the familiarity affects the final product in Sam & Kate ?

Are Bill and Tina stereotypical love interests? What about Sam and Kate? Why or why not? Why is positive representation of all kinds important?

How do Sam and Kate treat their parents with empathy and compassion ? What's the difference between these two life skills, and why are they important?

Movie Details

In theaters : November 11, 2022
On DVD or streaming : February 1, 2023
Cast : Jake Hoffman , Schuyler Fisk , Dustin Hoffman , Sissy Spacek
Director : Darren Le Gallo
Inclusion Information : Female actors
Studio : Vertical Entertainment
Genre : Drama
Character Strengths : Compassion , Empathy
Run time : 110 minutes
MPAA rating : R
MPAA explanation : some drug use and language
Last updated : July 29, 2023

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Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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Find Your Film

Review ‘Sam & Kate’ Is A Family Affair To Remember

One of my favorite aspects of Find Your Film is discovering movies that fellow cinephiles should watch. Sam & Kate tops my list on this week’s Find Your Film episode. Details on the feature, which stars Dustin Hoffman , Jake Hoffman , Sissy Spacek , and Schuyler Fisk , is in our post!

Directed and penned by Darren Le Gallo , Sam & Kate centers on the budding relationship of the titular characters ( Jake Hoffman , Schuyler Fisk ). Sam’s father Bill ( Dustin Hoffman ) is a widower with health problems and Kate’s mom Tina ( Sissy Spacek ) is a hoarder.

Check out our Find Your Film review of Sam & Kate on our YouTube Channel!

Kate is initially reluctant to delve into a romantic involvement with Sam, a thirtysomething who is discontentedly working at a chocolate factory with his stoner buddy Ron (a scene stealing Henry Thomas ).

Running at 110 minutes, Sam & Kate is an emotionally rich story about processing grief and caring for the ones you love. Family dramas can often traverse into maudlin territory, but Le Gallo refuses to litter his narrative with honey dripped cliches.

Hoffman and fisk are fantastic as the adults who are trying to balance their fidelity to their respective parent while attempting to carve out their own lives. casting hoffman and spacek as their parents may be deemed as stunt casting, but for this movie it absolutely works., most movies these days open up on vod and digital, and it’s refreshing to see a first rate story like sam & kate open in theaters. this is a movie that, if you love resonant and truthful family dramas, is worth checking out. plus, schuyler fisk’s song “life after” perfectly fits into the movie’s thematic fabric:, there are several emotionally manipulative beats that, in fairness, would have been forgiven by most cinephiles (including myself). darren le gallo could have summoned dynamic monologues from the hoffmans, spacek, and fisk. thankfully, he chose restraint and crafted a beautifully rendered tale., the final moments of sam & kate knocked me over (in a good way), and hopefully you will give this movie a shot report back and share your thoughts on the film.

All three of us recommend the feature (Bruce and I gave it 4/5 stars and Eric came in at 3.5/5). Sam & Kate hits theaters November 11.

Sam & kate, along with paradise city, the friendship game, and weird: the al yankovic story are reviewed on the latest find your film episode:.

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Movie Review – Sam & Kate (2022)

November 10, 2022 by Robert Kojder

Sam & Kate , 2022.

Written and Directed by Darren Le Gallo. Starring Jake Hoffman, Schuyler Fisk, Sissy Spacek, Dustin Hoffman, Henry Thomas, Elizabeth Faith Ludlow, Dylan McNamara, Elizabeth Becka, Larry Larson, DeMorris Stroud, and Tyler Labine.

Bill is an ailing larger-than-life father being taken care of by his son Sam, who has returned home to care for him. While home, Sam falls for a local woman, Kate. At the same time, Bill starts to fall for her mom, Tina.

First-time writer and director Darren Le Gallo has the novelty of that one but two parents acting opposite their offspring. Starring Dustin Hoffman and Sissy Spacek as the parents to the titular Sam & Kate , the film wisely knows its strengths lie in allowing everyone involved to act with nuance.

Sam (Jake Hoffman) has his hands full looking after his somewhat ill father, Bill, someone that he doesn’t refer to as dad since the old man believes doing so beyond childhood feels strange (although one gets the sense that by not calling each other as father and son, it helps them step out of their real-life dynamic and further into these characters). Nevertheless, between providing care, serving as a chauffeur, and running shopping errands, Sam has put his artistic ambitions on hold (not that he currently has the confidence to get the drawings published anyway) and doesn’t have much of a dating opportunity. The same could be said for Bill, who is also visibly lonely in his cantankerous old age and would probably benefit from making a connection.

Sam immediately takes an interest in bookstore owner Kate (Schuyler Fisk, the daughter of Sissy Spacek), once a talented singer but uncomfortable talking about that particular chapter in her life. Nevertheless, Sam is attracted even though she assures him multiple times she is not interested in dating. In what occasionally comes off as pushy but well-meaning, Sam continues to flirt and weasel his way into a meeting here and there, going as far as researching her with Google, which justifiably puts Kate off for a brief moment. Kate does recognize the good in Sam, eventually hitting it off further and meeting each other’s parents, who also seem like a match but require some good-intentioned egging on to interact and hang out.

In Tina’s (Sissy Spacek) case, she is still heavily grieving something, as made evident by overwhelming junk hoarding and general sadness. But the reality is that all four of these characters are suffering from something inside, with the script taking its time rather than forcing that inevitable drama front and center. Even during bits where Bill ridicules his son’s lack of manliness, the dialogue is grounded and comes from a place of misguided support with other reasons buried underneath the surface that eventually come to light. Sam & Kate is content letting viewers observe these character dynamics, watching them grow, and does all the more emotionally moving for it in the end.

That’s not to say Sam & Kate doesn’t fall into its fair share of clichés and one or two overwrought sequences, because it does. However, the performances from the central quartet here ring true and honest, unquestionably elevated by interacting with their real-life parents on screen. It’s earnest and moving while also leaving one coming away that the project was not so much a nepotism endeavor but something sincere; happy that we got to see Jake Hoffman and Schuyler Fisk share the screen with their celebrated acting parents.

Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★

Robert Kojder is a member of the Chicago Film Critics Association and the Critics Choice Association. He is also the Flickering Myth Reviews Editor. Check here for new reviews, follow my Twitter or Letterboxd , or email me at [email protected]

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Movie Review: Oscar Winners Spacek and Hoffman — and their children — lift “Sam & Kate”

Sweet, slow and unassuming, “Sam & Kate” is a romantic melodrama that came into being because two Oscar winners relished the chance to act on screen with their acting progeny. So whatever sparks Sissy Spacek and Dustin Hoffman set off in their scenes together are augmented by the pleasure of their kids playing the long-suffering offspring of two very different and sometimes difficult — downright prickly — elderly parents.

A small town in Georgia is the setting. How small? Well, somehow, the folks who might be the only resident Jews there have a church they’re not shy about attending, especially when Christmas programs roll around.

Hoffman plays Bill, a widowed curmudgeon inclined to stir up trouble, even from the seat of a store-provided scooter at their local home improvement warehouse.

“You don’t like me but I like YOU,” is his re-assurance that his kvetching and kvelling to the only employee on duty is all in good fun.

Jake Hoffman is long-suffering Sam, who is over 30, still lives with the old man, still works at the local candy factory and still takes weed brakes with his musician stoner pal (Henry Thomas ) and still has no direction in his life and no clue what to do when he first casts his eyes on the lovely bookstore owner with the long, auburn hair.

Kate ( Schulyer Fisk ) has an electric smile and a friendly manner, even when she’s shooting down this persistent not-really-a-customer who clumsily makes his desire for her phone number obvious.

“I’m not really dating right now.”

But that church, and that Christmas sermon and performance gives him another chance. Not exactly. Kate’s car won’t start, stranding her and her mom Tina (Spacek) after the service. Jake is quick…to let his mechanically-inclined dad take a look, and just as quick to let Dad suggest that they give the ladies a lift, as it’s not just a dead battery.

Thus begin two sort-of courtships, with bluff and temperamental Bill charmed by the ethereal Tina, and Sam wholly smitten with Tina’s daughter.

But you know how romances and rom-coms work, especially the ones labeled “melodramatic.” We need “obstacles.” Everybody has her or his “secret.” Everybody has “issues.” Some seem solvable, within the 110 minutes of this should-be-90-minute dramedy. Some won’t.

The young couple gets most of the screen time here, even if their accomplished parents out-sizzle and outshine them, especially in the early going.

Hoffman the elder is amusingly brittle and snippy about his “talented” son. “Maybe some day he’ll do something with it.” Bill shrugs off doctor’s orders and knows his days are limited.

“I’m on GRAVY time!”

The father-son arguments here can seem contrived, but relatable. It’s the mother-daughter disagreements that ring truest, downright triggering. Their “secrets” are the bigger ones.

Thomas, the “E.T.” kid, leans into his supporting role and lays back in his line-readings, creating a fun “local character” in just a few scenes. If you’ve not followed the fact that he now sings and plays guitar, you’re in for a treat.

There are just enough of those treats in the painfully “out of your league, dude” attempted courtship of Sam and Kate, and in the sparkle of Spacek and the bite of Hoffman to make this sweet nothing of a movie worth your while.

The character arcs are predictable, and abruptly traversed at times in actor-turned writer-director Darren Le Gallo’s debut feature. Yes, he got lucky with his casting. Yes, few are likely to get that lucky a second time, in that regard.

But as long as their are little lives worth a little intense scrutiny, there’ll be indie films like “Sam & Kate,” pleasant diversions that give legendary stars the indulgence of a victory lap, this time with their kids along for the ride.

Rating: R for some drug use and (profanity).

Cast: Dustin Hoffman, Sissy Spacek, Schuyler Fisk, Jake Hoffman and Henry Thomas.

Credits: Scripted and directed by Darren Le Gallo. A Vertical release.

Running time: 1:50

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Stream It Or Skip It: ‘Sam and Kate’ on Hulu, a Gentle Dramedy About Parents and Their Adult Children Starring Dustin Hoffman and Sissy Spacek

Where to stream:.

Sam & Kate
Stream It Or Skip It

Stream It Or Skip It: ‘The Outreau Case: A French Nightmare’ on Netflix, a Journalistically Sound Examination of a Grueling and Complex Sex-Abuse Case

Stream it or skip it: ‘24 hours with gaspar’ on netflix, an indonesian crime-drama about a detective who’s gonna be dead by dawn, stream it or skip it: ‘aníkúlápó: rise of the spectre’ on netflix, a six-episode series sequel to the hit nollywood fantasy film, stream it or skip it: ‘wish’ on disney+, an exercise in corporate self-congratulations.

Novelty, thy name is Sam and Kate (now on Hulu): This medium-heavyweight drama stars real-life father-son duo Dustin Hoffman and Jake Hoffman as a fictional father-son duo, and real-life mother-daughter duo Sissy Spacek and Schuyler Fisk as a fictional mother-daughter duo, each working through age-appropriate romances with the other. Neat! And tidy! But credit writer/director Darren Le Gallo for giving them plenty of well-considered material that downplays the casting gimmickry in lieu of genial, realistic drama that plays to the actors’ strengths.

SAM AND KATE : STREAM IT OR SKIP IT?

The Gist: Bill (Dustin Hoffman) tools around a discount store on a scooter, annoying the employees as his son Sam (Jake Hoffman) lounges on some marked-down patio furniture, looking not patient, but not impatient either. Sam’s used to his father’s incorrigible personality, identifiable for its stubbornness, defiance and irascible charm. He also always seems at least a little bit drunk, but it’s hard to tell for sure one way or the other. They live together for reasons that aren’t made plain, but they seem to need each other. Sam looks to be pushing 40 but works a dead-end job at a chocolate factory, smoking weed on his breaks and sketching in his notebook with enough skill that, if he pushed himself, might get him somewhere, at least in the creative-fulfillment department; all this is movie shorthand for “unfulfilled potential.” Bill, meanwhile, probably needs someone there most of the time; he has heart problems, but refuses to follow his doctor by eating clean and avoiding the beer and cigars. Notably, Sam always refers to his father as “Bill,” because Bill doesn’t believe his adult son should call him “Dad.”

It’s Christmastime. Sam stops at the local independent bookstore – they apparently live in a small town with a cute main street lined with coffee shops and the like – to get his pops a tome on gardening, and kinda clicks with the owner. That would be Kate (Fisk), who shows a big smile but sad eyes and very gently pushes back on his mildly awkward advances: “I’m not dating right now.” She seems to say that reluctantly, mind you, because there’s a spark between them that she’d rather not acknowledge, and that’s movie shorthand for “she’s probably depressed about something.” Kate doesn’t live with her mother, Tina (Spacek), possibly because there’s not much room in Tina’s house, which is piled with all the telltale signs of a hoarder. But they’re tight, and they clearly need each other for reasons that’ll slowly be revealed over the course of the movie.

Sam and Bill attend the Christmas church service, where they first interact with Kate and Tina. A few chance encounters later – like I said, small town – the guys are helping the ladies fix Kate’s car in exchange for a dinner invite. Bill and Tina dance in the living room while Sam and Kate lean in for a kiss in the kitchen until they’re interrupted by Bill’s drunken stumbling. The next day, Sam puts the cards on the table for his old man to see: “You need to get laid,” Sam says. Bill huffs. But he asks Tina to dinner for New Year’s Eve, while Sam convinces Kate that they should go – and here I pause to let you come up with a Very Cute Outing for this couple. Got one? Let’s see if it’s right: Sam convinces Kate that they should go roller skating. One date goes very well, and the other does not. Such is life, right? And life will keep playing out for the next hour or so here.

What Movies Will It Remind You Of?: Middle-of-the-road character-driven adult dramas are like wheat pennies – you just don’t see ’em like you used to. I’ll randomly remember a couple off the top of my head: Feast of Love pops in there for some reason (it was kind of ludicrous), and Everybody’s Fine , a family drama starring Robert De Niro. I’m just grateful that Spacek isn’t finding herself in pandering junk like 80 for Brady or Book Club .

Performance Worth Watching: Spacek and the elder Hoffman do what they do, and what we know they can do. They’re typically good – deep in character, sometimes playing a bit big, sometimes pulling back. It’s a fine balance. But Fisk stands out as the cast member who holds back enough to give her character an air of mystery, and her part of the story a little more dramatic heft.

Memorable Dialogue: “You don’t like me, but I like you.” – Bill has himself pretty accurately pegged when he says this half-jokingly to an annoyed store clerk

Sex and Skin: None.

Our Take: Sam and Kate is enjoyable and involving in the moment, but a day later? Well, some of it sticks, although nobody will confuse it for Oscar bait. It’s an above-average character study in which elder folk struggle mightily to change who they are and what they do, while their children exist in a kind of meandering state of ill-defined personal identity. Bill and Tina’s problems are plain as day, and they resist addressing them. Sam and Kate’s problems are tougher to define: He needs to work on himself, but taking care of his handful of a father seems to be eating up a lot of his time. She carries pain around with her like luggage through the airport of life; it weighs her down and saps joy and prompts her to say no to a sweet, well-meaning guy when she probably should say yes. Everyone here is relatable. Change is hard; resisting it seems natural, and embracing it seems painful. So, as the wise man once said, it goes.

And that mediumweight sentiment is what keeps the film afloat. It doesn’t lean too heavily into comedy or drama, with a few predictable story beats that meet but don’t exceed expectations. Most laughs stem from Dustin Hoffman’s amusing eccentric-old-man shtick, which doesn’t challenge him as an actor, but at least keeps us entertained, and has a layer or two of complex emotional fodder (grief, self-loathing) because Hoffman doesn’t do simple. Le Gallo seems fully aware that his screenplay is nothing special, but his cast is very much so, and that they’re very much capable of elevating this type of mean-average, bittersweet melodrama to something that prompts our emotional investment. Take the scene in which a couple embraces on a park bench beneath a sky full of exploding fireworks – it’s a cliche, but beautiful nevertheless, and comforting. This is a warm, tender story about four people who we learn to appreciate for their assets and their faults. It’s a slice of life that isn’t quite real life, but is just real enough to make us give a damn.

Our Call: Sam and Kate is a deeply unassuming dramedy that offers no great revelations about the human condition, but doesn’t intend to. It’s lightly poignant fodder made for adult viewers weary of spectacle, so if that’s you, STREAM IT and appreciate the strong performances and gentle escapism it offers.

John Serba is a freelance writer and film critic based in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

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Sam & Kate - Everything You Need To Know

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The year 2022 was a big one for romantic movies. Julia Roberts and George Clooney resumed the throne as queen and king of the rom-com in "Ticket to Paradise." Joe Wright gave us a lavish adaptation of a classic with "Cyrano," and Billy Eichner made history with the first gay rom-com to be released theatrically by a major studio, "Bros." There was the bittersweet "Hello, Goodbye, and Everything in Between," the sexually frank "Good Luck to You, Leo Grande," and titles like "Father of the Bride," "Persuasion," "My Policeman," and "Cha Cha Real Smooth."

And in that mix of romance, there's "Sam & Kate," a dramedy about a father-son duo meeting a mother-daughter duo and all the sparks that fly and complications that arise as a result. With Sissy Spacek and Dustin Hoffman at the helm, the dramedy made its theatrical release on November 11. And now that it's out, we're going to dive into this unique romance that has a fun twist on family, both on the screen and in real life. Read on for everything you need to know about "Sam & Kate."

What is the plot of Sam & Kate?

Set in a small American town, "Sam & Kate" starts off with one-half of the titular duo — Sam and his grouchy dad, Bill. Sam has moved back home to take care of his aging, ailing father, although he finds himself pretty miserable working at the local chocolate factory. Still, despite his dad's cantankerous nature, the two do love each other, and Sam likes to spend his time drawing — a skill he's pretty good at — although he isn't exactly sure which direction his life needs to go.

Eventually, Sam crosses paths with bookstore owner Kate, and while he wants to take her out, Kate doesn't feel like dating anyone right now. That starts to change one Christmas, when Sam and Bill bump into Kate and her mom, Tina, in a church parking lot. Tina's car has broken down, and Bill offers to give the two a ride, which starts the relationship ball rolling between not just Sam and Kate but also Bill and Tina. As a result, the foursome must deal with their romantic entanglements, troubled pasts, and uncertain futures, including something about Tina that we won't spoil here.

Who stars in Sam & Kate?

Perhaps the biggest selling point of "Sam & Kate" is the film's all-in-the-family casting, with two huge stars at the helm. Dustin Hoffman and Sissy Spacek play Bill and Tina, and they barely need an introduction. Between the two of them, they have three Academy Awards – Hoffman for "Kramer vs. Kramer" and "Rain Man" and Spacek for "Coal Miner's Daughter" — and 10 more nominations.

Hoffman and Spacek's real-life children play their on-screen kids — Jake Hoffman and Schuyler Fisk as the titular Sam and Kate. It's not the first time that the actors have collaborated with their parents. Jake acted alongside the elder Hoffman in "Rain Man," "Hook," and "I Heart Huckabees," and is known for his roles in "Click" and "The Wolf of Wall Street." Spacek and Fisk can be seen together in "Castle Rock," "The Long Walk Home," "Trading Mom," and "Hard Promises."

In addition to the main four, the film also stars Henry Thomas. He's best known for playing Elliott in "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial," but since then, he's made quite a name for himself teaming up with director Mike Flanagan in works like "The Haunting of Hill House," "Doctor Sleep," "Midnight Mass," and "The Midnight Club." Other members of the cast Elizabeth Ludlow ("Peacemaker"), Tyler Labine ("Tucker and Dale vs. Evil"), Dylan McNamara ("First Kill"), and Elizabeth Becka ("She-Hulk").

Who directed and produced Sam & Kate?

"Sam & Kate" is directed, written, and co-produced by Darren Le Gallo . The romantic dramedy marks Le Gallo's directorial debut, and his credits as an actor include "Date Night" and "The Master." His other pursuits include music and painting , and he's also credited for working in the art department in "Imposter" and "The Matrix Reloaded."

Le Gallo's wife, Amy Adams, serves as executive producer on "Sam & Kate" with Stacy O'Neil under their Bond Group Entertainment banner. Speaking with People , Le Gallo gave Adams a ton of credit for helping to inspire the film. "I had a different project that I was trying to get off the ground," he explained, "and, honestly, it was my wife that was like, 'You need to write your next thing.' So I had started to assemble the characters and such for this, some of it being lifted from my childhood growing up in the Bible Belt in Texas. Over time it started to come together."

Robert Yeoman serves as cinematographer. Yeoman is perhaps best known for his work with Wes Anderson and was nominated for an Academy Award for his work on "The Grand Budapest Hotel." "I am thrilled and humbled to have the incredible cast and Oscar-nominated cinematographer Robert Yeoman to be a part of bringing this story into a reality," said Le Gallo in a statement (via Deadline ).

What is Sam & Kate rated?

Rather than being a raunchy rom-com for teens, "Sam & Kate" is more of an adult-friedly dramedy. As a result, it should come as little surprise that the film is rated R for "some drug use and language." Marijuana is almost a character in the film, contributing to the drug use that earned the film its R. There's also a bit of cursing, including the dreaded F-bomb (via Common Sense Media ). However, as far as the R-rating goes, this one is pretty light, and there isn't any explicit sexual content or nudity. After all, with Dustin Hoffman and Sissy Spacek in leading roles, it's a film geared toward older audiences, with a mature take on romance.

How are critics and audiences responding to Sam & Kate?

By and large, critics and audiences seem to feel basically the same way about "Sam and Kate," with the overall takeaway being, "It's pretty good!" At the time of this writing, the Dustin Hoffman/Sissy Spacek romance has 25 critical reviews on Rotten Tomatoes , giving it a score of 68%. Rich Cline of Shadows on the Wall summed up the vibe nicely, writing, "There's nothing terribly original going on here, but writer-director Darren Le Gallo and his ace cast infuse the film with the charm of a comfy armchair by a cracking fireplace." Audiences seem to feel the same way. With fewer than 50 reviews on the site, the audience score is sitting comfortably at 64%.

Where to watch Sam & Kate

The Darren Le Gallo-directed romance hit theaters on November 11, but it's now online if you want to watch this cozy film in the comfort of your own home. "Sam & Kate" is available to rent for $6.99 on Amazon Video , Vudu , and Redbox . Or — if you just want to spend a few extra bucks and own the Jake Hoffman/Schuyler Fisk film — you can buy "Sam & Kate" for $9.99 on those exact same sites.

2022, R, 110 min. Directed by Darren Le Gallo. Starring Dustin Hoffman, Sissy Spacek, Jake Hoffman, Schuyler Fisk, Tyler Labine, Henry Thomas.

Reviewed by richard whittaker , fri., nov. 11, 2022.

The novelty of Sam & Kate is in the casting, of having Dustin and Jake Hoffman play father and son, and Sissy Spacek and Schuyler Fisk play mother and daughter. The novelty inevitably wears off but what's under that gimmick is a surprisingly touching drama about death, aging, loss, and, yes, the bonds between aging parents and their adult children.

The title seems like a misnomer, as it begins with Sam (Jake) and Bill (Dustin), two generations of Jews in a small town somewhere in the heartland. Sam got out and had something like a career in comics, but when Bill gets too infirm to look after himself Sam moves back, takes a job at the same chocolate factory he worked in before college, and falls straight back into a deferred postgraduation rut. Bill grumps and complains, ignores medical advice, and throws a fit and a sausage when Sam tries to feed him something healthy, but in ways that are comforting to both. After all, as Bill notes, he hasn't got long left. That's just life.

Sam, however, has a little romance left in his heart, and so starts mooning over Kate (Fisk) after a chance meeting, followed by a second chance intersection of their paths, this time with both Bill and Kate's mom, Tina (Spacek), in tow.

In a less demanding film, of the kind that might have been greenlighted for the elder Hoffman and Spacek 30 years ago when they would first have been considered "too old" for Hollywood, double dating hijinks would have proliferated. There would inevitably have been a scene where the two generations met in rapidly wrapped sheets in a hallway, and the audience would get a cheap laugh about old people getting laid.

But Sam & Kate is not that film. There are a few sparks flying between Bill and Tina, but they only seem bright because of the twilight of their lives. And they are both difficult – Bill with his cantankerous nature, Tina with a quieter challenge that she keeps behind closed doors. That does not make them unlovable, and the connective tissue between them and their children – each navigating the increasing complexities of looking after an aging parent – is lovingly explored in the quiet, charming, and often touching script by first-time writer/director Darren Le Gallo.

And if this sounds like it could fall into mawkish cable tearjerker territory, there's more than enough of the respective charisma and more-than-proven talent of both generations of actors to give both depth and warmth to the story. Le Gallo's filmmaking resonates with Zach Braff's similarly themed Wish I was Here , with lives given a little more urgency because of the constant and purposefully ignored knowledge that life's end could be imminent. There're no big statements here, but charming observations. Neither Sam nor Kate is trying to change their parents, but instead quietly accept that's who they are and try to cherish them while at least softening their worst habits. At the same time, both Hoffman and Spacek bring that sense of ticking clocks with them, of a certain honesty earned by age and by a refusal not to live on their own difficult terms.

Amid all this there is also a tender little rom-com, with two somewhat-loves going on – more serious between Sam and Kate, more weatherworn and instantaneous between Bill and Tina (that tick-tick-tick never quietens). Its laughs are delicate, but as the film received its world premiere during the Austin Film Festival, the round of guffaws as Bill ogles a dancing Tina may have been one of the biggest the Paramount has ever heard. But there was no meanness in it, rather the sweet sound of recognition. Sam & Kate doesn't try to elicit big emotional responses, but that's exactly why it gets them.

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April 5, 2024

Soundscapes, Bat Books, and More Arts Events for the Week

Sam & Kate , Darren Le Gallo , Dustin Hoffman , Sissy Spacek , Jake Hoffman , Schuyler Fisk , Tyler Labine , Henry Thomas

Now streaming on:

On the Netflix screen for “Kate,” the description says “this movie is Violent, Exciting.” That first adjective is quite accurate—this film is wall-to-wall carnage. I must respectfully disagree with that second adjective, however, unless you enjoy watching someone else play an uninvolving video game for almost two hours. If this type of thing turns you on, please have at it. There’s a cynical air to the lackluster proceedings, as if the filmmakers assume you’ll stumble across “Kate” and watch it simply because it’s there and you’re too lazy to scroll down the screen for something better. That appears to be Netflix’s rationale for their mid-budget actioners, and it can provide much satisfaction if there’s a good story welded to the set-pieces. But Umair Aleem ’s script is so paint-by-numbers familiar that it leaves you wishing you’d watched one of the better movies it’s ripping off. I believe Netflix also carries several of those.

After her superb and memorable turn in “Birds of Prey,” Mary Elizabeth Winstead is handed the reins of her own action movie. Winstead is not only a very credible agent of violence, she also provides interesting approaches to her scenes. There’s something off-kilter and unique about her, something you can’t quite put your finger on, yet you feel its presence. I find her compulsively watchable, which is why I found this dreck so aggravating. She’s clearly having fun here, but she deserves better than the warmed-over plot details every single female assassin movie must contain. The assassin is always a lone wolf, deserted by family before being adopted by a male authority figure who trains and mentors her before ultimately becoming some form of adversary she must deal with against her will.

Here, the male mentor is phoned in by Woody Harrelson . And I don’t mean that just figuratively—80% of his performance is literally on the phone. If you look closely into his eyes, you can see the ATM where he deposited the check from this movie. Harrison’s Varrick is the handler for Winstead’s titular character, the one person Kate trusts. When the film opens, she’s in Osaka, Japan on an assignment that predictably goes awry. Despite the rules against shooting people with children present, Kate takes a shot that takes out her target in front of his kid. Fast-forward to Kate’s “last mission,” where she’ll eventually team up with a rambunctious teenager named Ani (Miku Patricia Martineau). Guess what her connection is to that prior execution?

Before we get to Ani, Kate engages in rumpy-pumpy with a guy who fatally poisons her with something that will kill her in 24 hours. She’ll not only need to find out why she’s been murdered, but she’ll also need to avenge her own death. The only thing that keeps her going is hourly shots of adrenaline. So, we’ve got an injection of “D.O.A.” here (the hideous '80s remake, that is, not the original). In addition to the gruesome external wounds and scars Kate will endure battling countless adversaries, the poison is quickly rotting her from the inside out. Numerous scenes of barfing ensue, as well as some teeth falling out and blood pouring out of unwelcome places unprovoked. This adds a healthy dash of “The Fly” to the proceedings (the awesome '80s remake, that is, not the original).

I dug the body horror and how Winstead rolls with it. It gives Kate a physical vulnerability that wages war with the genre’s insistence that its protagonists are crack shots while their competition can’t hit the side of a barn. It’s when “Kate” tries for emotional vulnerability that it fails. Ani is kidnapped by Kate because she’s a relative of Kijima ( Jun Kunimura ), the man who may have ordered the poisonous hit. Flashbacks draw parallels between Ani and her kidnapper, and after it appears Ani’s family wants to kill her, Kate drags her along on her quest. Martineau does her best playing a rebellious teenager whose tough exterior masks a scared kid, but the script gives the two actors the barest minimum of bonds to play. It’s far more superficial than moving.

Ani keeps referring to Kate as “a Terminator,” but this movie owes a lot more to Ah-nuld’s '80 classic, “Commando,” especially when Kate has to save her ward from the bad guys. Mark Lester handled Schwarzenegger mowing down an entire military with a much lighter and more entertaining touch than director Cedric Nicolas-Troyan does here. He depicts violence in joyless and monotonous fashion. There are only so many ways bullets can enter heads and torsos, and while I enjoy the majority of those ways, it gets real tired real fast here.

“Kate” also wants to be as cool as the Asian action movies it seeks to emulate with a White lead, but the end result fetishizes Asian culture and Japan with the embarrassing fervor of a horny dog humping a leg. The overdone effect is too hilarious and embarrassing to be offensive, but it is cringe-inducing. A major death scene is highlighted by a gigantic, smiling and waving neon kitty cat. J-Pop blares on the soundtrack while Kate strolls toward the camera flanked by Yakuza hitmen. There’s even a gay adversary who is introduced getting a fish pedicure before unveiling a back covered in letter tattoos. The camera ogles him like he’s some exotic object before he preens and sways while battling Kate. He quickly meets one of the most gruesome demises offered up as red meat to a bloodthirsty audience, which is a shame as he’s more interesting than any of the main villains. In a film as dully derivative as this, I’ll take my pleasures where I can.

On Netflix today.

Odie Henderson

Odie "Odienator" Henderson has spent over 33 years working in Information Technology. He runs the blogs Big Media Vandalism and Tales of Odienary Madness. Read his answers to our Movie Love Questionnaire here .

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Kate (2021)

Rated R for strong bloody violence and language throughout.

106 minutes

Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Kate

Miku Martineau as Ani

Woody Harrelson as Varrick

Tadanobu Asano as Renji

Michiel Huisman as Stephen

Jun Kunimura as Kjima

Miyavi as Jojima

Amelia Crouch as Teen Kate

Ava Caryofyllis as Child Kate

Cedric Nicolas-Troyan
Umair Aleem

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Lyle Vincent
Elísabet Ronaldsdóttir
Sandra Montiel
Nathan Barr

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Sam & Kate

A son returns to his small hometown to take care of his ailing father.
A life-affirming family dramedy that takes place in a small town in the heart of the country. Dustin Hoffman plays Bill, a larger-than-life father to Sam (Jake Hoffman) who has returned home to take care of Bill, whose health is failing. While he's there, Sam falls for local woman Kate (Fisk); at the same time, Bill starts to fall for Kate's mom Tina (Spacek). The course of true love never runs smooth, and these four will be forced to confront their pasts while trying to make new love work in their lives.

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Dustin Hoffman, Sissy Spacek, Schuyler Fisk, and Jake Hoffman in Sam & Kate (2022)

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‘Femme’ Review: Bad Lovers

In this white-knuckle thriller set in London, a drag performer seduces his attacker, an intensely closeted hustler played by George MacKay.

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By Beatrice Loayza

In “Femme,” a white-knuckle erotic thriller directed by Sam H. Freeman and Ng Choon Ping, the formula of the conventional revenge plot is scrambled. The victim in the film uses his sexuality to break down his attacker, but along the way he develops a dubious affection for his foe that explores the performance of gender and its kinky connection to dynamics of dominance and submission.

By night, Jules (Nathan Stewart-Jarrett) is a headlining drag performer at a queer nightclub in East London. In the beginning of the film, a few blocks from this sanctuary, he’s brutalized by a thuggish homophobe with neck tattoos.

Months later, Jules heads to a gay sauna where he finds his aggressor, Preston (George MacKay), lurking in a corner. Preston doesn’t know that Jules is the same man he beat up, and the two begin regularly hooking up. Jules’s terrible secret and Preston’s short fuse give the film its underlying current of menace, while jittery, intimate camerawork homes in on the men’s wary, jaw-clenched faces, their bodies seemingly always on the verge of violence.

Jules is weirdly turned on by Preston’s bullish machismo, though he plans to gain the other man’s trust long enough to shoot a sex tape. Outing the intensely closeted Preston is Jules’s intended form of revenge. Preston’s toxic-bro roommates always seem to be hovering when the men plan their trysts, so Jules has plenty of opportunities to blow Preston’s cover. Yet Jules goes through the bulk of the film in a hoodie and slacks (his straight-guy costume), per Preston’s request.

On the one hand, “Femme” makes a lot of effort to humanize its homophobe, played by a stellar MacKay with the defensive swagger of an abused dog. But it’s a questionable focus when the story is ostensibly about a Black man’s rehabilitation and victory over his white abuser. Yet the film avoids a cut-and-dried triumphalism for something more slippery and, perhaps, more meaningful, too: Sometimes vengeance pales in comparison to the realization that your enemy is too small and pathetic to bother kicking around.

Femme Not rated. Running time: 1 hour 39 minutes. In theaters.

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COMMENTS

'Sam & Kate' Review: It's a Family Affair
The movie stars two real-life parent-child pairs: Dustin Hoffman and Jake Hoffman play a father-son duo, Bill and Sam, while Schuyler Fisk and Sissy Spacek appear as Kate and her mother, Tina.
Sam & Kate
A life-affirming family dramedy starring Oscar®-winners Dustin Hoffman and Sissy Spacek, Sam & Kate takes place in a small town in the heart of the country. Hoffman plays Bill, the larger-than ...
Sam & Kate (2022)
Sam & Kate: Directed by Darren Le Gallo. With Jake Hoffman, Schuyler Fisk, Dustin Hoffman, Sissy Spacek. A son returns to his small hometown to take care of his ailing father.
Sam & Kate
Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Apr 18, 2023. Carla Hay Culture Mix. Dull conversations and lackluster scenes prevent Sam & Kate from being the great romantic dramedy that it wants to be. The ...
Sam & Kate Review: A Heartwarming Dramedy with a Standout Cast
Sam & Kate is a new drama-comedy feature film from director Darren Le Gallo that stars Jake Hoffman (The Wolf of Wall Street), Schuyler Fisk (Castle Rock), Dustin Hoffman (The Graduate, Rain Man ...
'Sam & Kate' Review: Dustin Hoffman and Sissy Spacek Family ...
Rosemary Rossi. November 11, 2022 · 4 min read. "Sam & Kate" is a family affair, which is essentially the entire conceit for the film's existence. Dustin Hoffman and Sissy Spacek play Bill ...
Sam & Kate
Bill (Dustin Hoffman) is the larger-than-life father to Sam (Jake Hoffman), who has returned home to take care of his ailing dad. While home, Sam falls for a local woman, Kate (Schuyler Fisk). And at the same time, Bill starts to fall for her mom, Tina (Sissy Spacek). But finding love is complicated and for these four, it is no different. They all must confront their past in order to make ...
Sam & Kate (2022)
Although an ensemble piece, Sam (Jake Hoffman) is probably the main character in the film and has the most screen time. Perhaps ever-so-slightly over-theatrical at times, Jake has otherwise nailed the character and holds our attention. Kate also is interesting and is very mysterious about revealing her back story.
Sam & Kate Review: Dustin Hoffman and Sissy Spacek Family Project
November 11, 2022 @ 9:23 AM. "Sam & Kate" is a family affair, which is essentially the entire conceit for the film's existence. Dustin Hoffman and Sissy Spacek play Bill and Tina, while Jake ...
'Sam & Kate' Review: Dustin Hoffman & Son, Sissy Spacek ...
Vertical releases Sam & Kate in theaters on November 11. Check out my video review above with scenes from the film. Check out my video review above with scenes from the film. Must Read Stories
Sam & Kate Review: Dustin Hoffman & Sissy Spacek's Kids ...
Hollywood has a habit of romanticizing love and loss, favoring drama over authenticity. Sam & Kate, however, isn't like other films. This delightful breath of fresh air evades certain tropes ...
Sam & Kate Movie Review
Parents Need to Know. Parents need to know that Sam & Kate is a dramedy starring father-son pair Dustin and Jake Hoffman and mother-daughter duo Sissy Spacek and Schuyler Fisk.The storyline follows two adult children who are taking care of their aging parents, with both the older characters and the younger ones pursuing…
Review 'Sam & Kate' Is A Family Affair To Remember
The final moments of Sam & Kate knocked me over (in a good way), and hopefully you will give this movie a shot!! Report back and share your thoughts on the film! Jake Hoffman and Schuyler Fisk in "Sam & Kate" (Vertical Entertainment) All three of us recommend the feature (Bruce and I gave it 4/5 stars and Eric came in at 3.5/5).
Sam & Kate (2022)
Sam & Kate, 2022. Written and Directed by Darren Le Gallo. Starring Jake Hoffman, Schuyler Fisk, Sissy Spacek, Dustin Hoffman, Henry Thomas, Elizabeth Faith Ludlow, Dylan McNamara, Elizabeth Becka ...
Movie Review: Oscar Winners Spacek and Hoffman
Sweet, slow and unassuming, "Sam & Kate" is a romantic melodrama that came into being because two Oscar winners relished the chance to act on screen with their acting progeny. So whatever sparks Sissy Spacek and Dustin Hoffman set off in their scenes together are augmented by the pleasure of their kids playing the long-suffering offspring of two very different and sometimes difficult ...
'Sam and Kate' Hulu Review: Stream It Or Skip It?
Novelty, thy name is Sam and Kate (now on Hulu): This medium-heavyweight drama stars real-life father-son duo Dustin Hoffman and Jake Hoffman as a fictional father-son duo, and real-life mother ...
Sam & Kate
Sam & Kate is a 2022 American comedy film written and directed by Darren Le Gallo, and starring Dustin Hoffman, Sissy Spacek, Jake Hoffman and Schuyler Fisk.It is Le Gallo's feature-film directorial debut, and his wife, Amy Adams, served as an executive producer.Hoffman's real son and Spacek's real daughter play these roles in the film.
Sam & Kate
"Sam & Kate" is available to rent for $6.99 on Amazon Video, Vudu, and Redbox. Or — if you just want to spend a few extra bucks and own the Jake Hoffman/Schuyler Fisk film — you can buy "Sam ...
Sam & Kate
Sam & Kate 2022, R, 110 min. Directed by Darren Le Gallo. Starring Dustin Hoffman, Sissy Spacek, Jake Hoffman, Schuyler Fisk, Tyler Labine, Henry Thomas. REVIEWED By ...
'Sam & Kate' Flashes Upside of Star Power, Nepotism
Stunt casting gets a bad rap, but sometimes the practice makes perfect sense. 'Sam & Kate' pairs screen legends Sissy Spacek and Dustin Hoffman with their grown children, both accomplished actors in their own right. The gambit works beautifully in this sweet and sour romance, the actors' real-life ties (and resemblances) heightening the tale's dramatic heft. Too bad 'Sam & Kate' leans into its ...
'Sam & Kate' Review: Dustin Hoffman and Sissy Spacek Family Project
"Sam & Kate" is a family affair, which is essentially the entire conceit for the film's existence. Dustin Hoffman and Sissy Spacek play Bill and Tina, while Jake Hoffman and Schuyler Fisk (Spacek's daughter with production designer Jack Fisk) play their respective kids, Sam and Kate.It's the story of young adults and their challenging relationships with their quirky aging parents ...
Kate movie review & film summary (2021)
Kate. On the Netflix screen for "Kate," the description says "this movie is Violent, Exciting.". That first adjective is quite accurate—this film is wall-to-wall carnage. I must respectfully disagree with that second adjective, however, unless you enjoy watching someone else play an uninvolving video game for almost two hours.
Sam & Kate (2022)
A son returns to his small hometown to take care of his ailing father. A life-affirming family dramedy that takes place in a small town in the heart of the country. Dustin Hoffman plays Bill, a larger-than-life father to Sam (Jake Hoffman) who has returned home to take care of Bill, whose health is failing. While he's there, Sam falls for local ...
'Femme' Review: Bad Lovers
Yet the film avoids a cut-and-dried triumphalism for something more slippery and, perhaps, more meaningful, too: Sometimes vengeance pales in comparison to the realization that your enemy is too ...

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Review ‘Sam & Kate’ Is A Family Affair To Remember

One of my favorite aspects of Find Your Film is discovering movies that fellow cinephiles should watch. Sam & Kate tops my list on this week’s Find Your Film episode. Details on the feature, which stars Dustin Hoffman , Jake Hoffman , Sissy Spacek , and Schuyler Fisk , is in our post!

Directed and penned by Darren Le Gallo , Sam & Kate centers on the budding relationship of the titular characters ( Jake Hoffman , Schuyler Fisk ). Sam’s father Bill ( Dustin Hoffman ) is a widower with health problems and Kate’s mom Tina ( Sissy Spacek ) is a hoarder.

Kate is initially reluctant to delve into a romantic involvement with Sam, a thirtysomething who is discontentedly working at a chocolate factory with his stoner buddy Ron (a scene stealing Henry Thomas ).

Running at 110 minutes, Sam & Kate is an emotionally rich story about processing grief and caring for the ones you love. Family dramas can often traverse into maudlin territory, but Le Gallo refuses to litter his narrative with honey dripped cliches.

All three of us recommend the feature (Bruce and I gave it 4/5 stars and Eric came in at 3.5/5). Sam & Kate hits theaters November 11.

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