The Meyerowitz Stories Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A bunch of neurotic New Yorkers whine about their artist dad while trying to parallel park.

🍿 The Meyerowitz Stories: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction of Danny and His Strained Relationship with His Father

The movie opens with Danny Meyerowitz, portrayed by Adam Sandler, struggling to find parking in New York City while driving his daughter, Eliza. This scene highlights his anxious personality and sets the stage for his relationship with his father, Harold. Danny is recently divorced and has moved back to New York to help care for his aging and difficult father.

Harold’s Artistic Frustrations and Family Dynamics

Harold Meyerowitz, played by Dustin Hoffman, is a retired art professor and sculptor who feels underappreciated. He constantly compares himself to more successful artists and harbors resentment towards the art world. This creates tension within the family, particularly with his sons, Danny and Matthew (Ben Stiller), who have different relationships with their father and varying degrees of success in their own lives.

Sibling Rivalry and Personal Struggles

The film explores the complex dynamics between the Meyerowitz siblings. Matthew is a successful businessman in Los Angeles, while Danny is struggling to find his purpose after years of focusing on raising his daughter. Jean (Elizabeth Marvel), the sister, feels overlooked and undervalued within the family. Their individual struggles and resentments are brought to the surface as they navigate their father’s declining health and legacy.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Danny (Adam Sandler): Harold’s eldest son, Danny is an unemployed, divorced man dedicated to his daughter, but grappling with a sense of unrealized potential.
• Harold (Dustin Hoffman): The self-absorbed and difficult patriarch of the Meyerowitz family, Harold is a sculptor and retired professor seeking artistic recognition.
• Matthew (Ben Stiller): The financially successful half-brother, Matthew, lives in Los Angeles and struggles to connect with his family despite his efforts.
• Jean (Elizabeth Marvel): Harold’s overlooked and underappreciated daughter, Jean, quietly navigates her family’s drama while feeling unseen.
• Maureen (Emma Thompson): Harold’s eccentric and often inebriated fourth wife, Maureen, adds a layer of quirky chaos to the family dynamic.
• Eliza (Grace Van Patten): Danny’s film-student daughter, Eliza, is navigating her own artistic path, sometimes in provocative ways, while providing a fresh perspective on her family.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Danny: “It was like walking barefoot through broken glass to get a milkshake. I loved the milkshake, but, you know, my feet were bleeding.” – Danny reflects on his complicated relationship with his father and the sacrifices he made.
• Danny: “Maybe I need to believe my dad was a genius…if he isn’t a great artist, that means he was just a prick.” – Danny makes a brutally honest speech at a faculty show, expressing his conflicted feelings about his father’s legacy.

💰Box Office

• Budget: N/A
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 The Meyerowitz Stories Reviews

Personal Review

I really enjoyed ‘The Meyerowitz Stories’ because it felt so real. The family dynamics, the awkward conversations, it all hit home. Sandler was surprisingly good, and Stiller brought a depth I hadn’t seen before. The scene where they’re all taking notes at the hospital was both hilarious and heartbreaking. It’s not a perfect movie, but it’s a very human one. Seeing such a stellar cast deal with such relatable issues like aging parents made me feel grateful.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Noah Baumbach films”
  • “Viewers who appreciate character-driven stories”
  • “People interested in stories about family dynamics”
  • “Audiences who enjoy dramedies”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Strong language”
  • “Some sexual content (brief nudity)”
  • “Mature themes related to family relationships and aging”

Professional Reviews

• IndieWire: “Baumbach expertly captures the anxieties of a family grappling with legacy and aging. Sandler delivers a surprisingly nuanced performance amidst a stellar ensemble cast. The film’s episodic structure allows for intimate character studies, though it occasionally feels disjointed.
• The New York Times: “Hoffman is wonderful as the patriarch, but Sandler gives a great perfomance! Though the movie is enjoyable, some scenes are a bit long.

Audience Reactions

Adam Sandler’s dramatic turn was unexpectedly impressive and heartfelt.: The film’s portrayal of sibling rivalry and family dysfunction resonated strongly with viewers.

Overall Consensus: A well-acted, insightful dramedy that explores family relationships with humor and pathos. Some find it slow-paced, but most appreciate the realistic characters and strong performances.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Adam Sandler and Ben Stiller stated that playing brothers in this movie was one of the best experiences they’ve ever had in their careers, as it allowed them to grow closer as friends.”
• “The movie is told through various character perspectives, giving it a naturalistic and subtle style.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Meyerowitz Stories?

The Meyerowitz Stories is a Netflix original movie and is exclusively available for streaming on Netflix. There are currently no options to rent or purchase the film on platforms like Prime Video or Apple TV.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Meyerowitz Stories, you might like these similar films:

• The Royal Tenenbaums (2001): Similar themes of family dysfunction, artistic eccentricity, and sibling rivalry, with a touch of dark humor.
• While We’re Young (2014): Also directed by Noah Baumbach, exploring themes of aging, ambition, and relationships with a similar comedic and poignant tone.

🛒 The Meyerowitz Stories Related Products

• The Royal Tenenbaums (Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]: A Criterion Collection Blu-ray of Wes Anderson’s ‘The Royal Tenenbaums,’ a similar dysfunctional family dramedy often compared to ‘The Meyerowitz Stories.’ Features bonus content, interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage.
• Noah Baumbach: Interviews (Conversations with Filmmakers Series): A collection of interviews with Noah Baumbach discussing his filmmaking process, inspirations, and the themes explored in his movies, including ‘The Meyerowitz Stories.’ Offers insights into his directorial style and storytelling techniques.
• Being Adam Sandler: A Comedian’s Journey Paperback – Illustrated: Explore the career and life of Adam Sandler, his journey through comedy, and some of his most iconic roles.
• New York City: A Cultural and Literary Companion (Cultural and Literary Companions Series): A guide to the cultural and literary history of New York City, providing context and insights into the city’s vibrant arts scene and its influence on filmmakers and writers.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Meyerowitz Stories features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Head to Toe” – performed by Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam
• “Mommy and Daddy and Genius Girl” – performed by Adam Sandler & Grace Van Patten
• “The Apartment” – performed by Randy Newman

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Adam Sandler Funny Dustin Hoffman and Daniel Day Lewis #shorts @TeamCoco

Ever wonder what it’s like on set with Adam Sandler, Dustin Hoffman, and Daniel Day-Lewis? This hilarious short story gives you a peek into their interactions – Sandler’s impression of Dustin is priceless!

Adam Sandler developed a ‘brotherly feeling’ working with Ben Stiller and Dustin Hoffman

Want to know how the cast of The Meyerowitz Stories felt about each other? This interview reveals the ‘brotherly feeling’ that developed on set. It’s heartwarming to see how close they became while filming.

The Adam Sandler Paradox

Think Adam Sandler is just a comedian? Think again! This documentary dives into his career, including Meyerowitz Stories, and explores his surprising range as an actor. It’s super interesting seeing how he balances comedy with serious roles!

Cinematography Style: Robbie Ryan

Ever notice the distinct look of “The Meyerowitz Stories”? This video breaks down the cinematography of Robbie Ryan and reveals how he creates such a visually compelling film. It’s amazing how much the visuals add to the story!

✨ Rate