Servers

A Family Thing

1996 109 min ★ 6.6 Comedy Drama

Earl Pilcher Jr. runs an equipment rental outfit in Arkansas, lives with his wife and kids and parents, and rarely takes off his gimme cap. His mother dies, leaving a letter explaining he's not her natural son, but the son of a Black woman who died in childbirth; plus, he has a half brother Ray, in Chicago, she wants him to visit. Earl makes the trip, initially receiving a cold welcome from Ray and Ray's son, Virgil. His birth mother's sister, Aunt T., an aged and blind matriarch, takes Earl in tow and insists that the family open up to him.

Director: Richard Pearce Writer: Billy Bob Thornton Writer: Tom Epperson

Cast

Robert Duvall Robert Duvall Earl Pilcher Jr.
James Earl Jones James Earl Jones Ray Murdock
Michael Beach Michael Beach Virgil
Irma P. Hall Irma P. Hall Aunt T.
Grace Zabriskie Grace Zabriskie Ruby
Regina Taylor Regina Taylor Ann
David Keith David Keith Sonny
Xander Berkeley Xander Berkeley Sunburned Man
Jacqueline Williams Jacqueline Williams Woman at Hospital
Mary Jackson Mary Jackson Carrie
Paula Marshall Paula Marshall Karen
Phillip Edward Van Lear Phillip Edward Van Lear Club Manager