Diane Keaton’s performance in this underrated holiday classic will devastate you emotionally

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Diane Keaton’s performance in this underrated holiday classic will devastate you emotionally

The death of Diane Keaton sent shockwaves through the film community, not only because it was another reminder that a generation of movie stars is no longer with us, but also because of its impressive body of work. Keaton was ready for anything; not only did she start in romantic comedies like Something has to give And Father of the bridebut she also played a role in the cinematic masterpiece that East THE Godfather. She also had a role in the underrated holiday-themed film The family stoneplaying the matriarch of the titular family. The family stone may not be as well known as Keaton’s other films, but he delivers some of the most emotionally devastating moments in a holiday film.

‘The Holiday Stone’ Features One of Diane Keaton’s Best Performances

Image via 20th Century Studios

The holiday stone finds the titular Stone family reunion for Christmas, and face their immense dysfunction. The oldest child, Everett (Dermot Mulroney) brings his girlfriend Meredith (Sarah Jessica Parker) to meet her family, but they don’t really get along with her. Ben (Luc Wilsonn) is a much more laid back guy, thanks to his work as a film editor and the fact that he’s really into weed. The youngest child, Amy (Rachel McAdams) delivers thinly veiled sarcasm, most of it directed at Meredith. In simple terms, this family is a colossal disaster.

The one person who unites the Stones is their matriarch, Sybil, played by Keaton. Keaton is a joy to watch, especially in the small moments. When the youngest Stone, Thad (Tyrone Giordano), expresses his desire to adopt, this sparks a heated debate since he is gay and deaf, Sybil being the only one to defend him. This reveals that she has even worse cancerand in a tearful moment, the Stones put aside their petty sibling rivalries to comfort their mother.

Diane Keaton is not only the emotional core of The family stone. She was the first actress to appear in the filmand said she was attracted to the role of Sybil because of its emotional weight. “I was immediately drawn to the character of Sybil because of the many facets of her personality,” she said. The family stone was in production. “This role allowed me to explore so many, often contradictory, emotions. It was fun to play the character who maintains some semblance of order amidst the chaos in her house.” Thanks to Keaton’s involvement, more The family stoneThe cast of would soon join the production.

The cast of ‘The Holiday Stone’ paid tribute to Diane Keaton

Tributes poured in for Diane Keaton after her death, including one from her Family stone co-stars. Dermot Mulroney shared the heartbreaking scene of The family stone where Everett learns of Sybll’s cancer diagnosis on Instagram, adding a simple but profound message: “You brought out the best in me, Diane.” Sarah Jessica Parker also wrote a heartfelt tribute, saying: “I have had the privilege of witnessing her singular skills and talent on both First Wives Club And The family stone. I will cherish these memories on set as well as his touching, delightful and perfectly personal film career. This is a magnificent heirloom from an exquisite person. »

The family stone may have received a mixed reception upon its release, but time has been much kinder to it after 20 years. With the passing of Diane Keaton, its inherent tragedy becomes even more acute. Still, it remains a surprisingly well-crafted holiday story and a showcase for an extremely talented actress.

The family stone is available for streaming on Prime Video.