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The cast is the only gem in 'The Family Stone'

The Stones are an enlightened, benevolent clan, the kind rarely witnessed in the wild: They carry NPR book bags, laugh with convincing appreciation at each other's low-wattage witticisms and demonstrate a fondness bordering on idolatry for one of their sons who — being deaf, gay, and involved in a mixed-race relationship — has scored a kind of tolerance trifecta.

20th Century Fox 'The Family Stone' 2 out of 5 stars The verdict: Predictable holiday saga Director: Thomas Bezucha Starring: Dermot Mulroney, Diane Keaton, Sarah Jessica Parker, Claire Danes, Rachel McAdams Run time: 102 minutes Release date: Dec. 16, 2005 Rating: PG-13 for some sexual content including dialogue, and drug references. See showtimes On the web Official movie site View the trailer    Trailers require Quicktime Rate 'The Family Stone'   Go see it   Make it a matinee   Wait to rent   Don't bother Voter Limit: Once per Hour View Poll Results

They are paragons of open-minded acceptance, that is, until they meet someone not bound to them by blood. Within moments of being introduced to the high-strung Meredith (Sarah Jessica Parker), who seems destined to marry into the family, they have trained their energies on destroying her. It takes about five minutes for Mom (Diane Keaton) to revoke a promise she made long ago to Everett (Dermot Mulroney) that he could use an heirloom ring (the Family Stone's "family stone" — get it?) when he decided to tie the knot. By the next day, Meredith has left the family get-together in favor of a local inn.

We know most of what's going to happen next if we've ever before seen a families-are-a-mess holiday comedy. (And heaven help us, we have.) Minor discomfort will bubble into nasty confrontations. Unexpected alliances will be forged; true love will shift its focus from Person X to Person Y in a matter of hours. Someone will turn out to be gravely ill, but hiding it so as not to ruin the holidays. Pretty much everyone will be happier and wiser by the closing credits.

According to an online biography, writer/director Thomas Bezucha came to the movies after a career working for Ralph Lauren. That might explain why his characters look so right and feel so empty, or why people are constantly chuckling onscreen despite the script's dearth of jokes. A cast full of likable actors ensures that there's enough charisma onscreen to distract us from the flat screenplay; Luke Wilson is particularly enjoyable as a laid-back filmmaker who can't be bothered to participate in the nastiness around him, and Craig T. Nelson projects some warmth as a peacemaking patriarch.

Still, it's hard to imagine why Meredith would worry a bit about being accepted by the Stones — or why audiences should cough up money to spend time with them.