Relative (2024) Review – A Frustrating Family Dramedy
You may see yourself in Michael Glover Smith’s “Relative,” but that doesn’t make for an exciting watch.
Spoiler Alert: This summary and review contains spoilers.
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“Relative” Plot Summary
“Relative” is a family dramedy with a lot to say. Everyone’s going through something in the Frank Family, and writer/director Michael Glover Smith provides a slice-of-life drama for each member. But with a story that could begin or end at any point in the movie, “Relative” makes you feel like you could’ve skipped this family party.
Set in Chicago, “Relative” is an ensemble film that focuses on the lives of six Frank family members. You have momma and poppa Frank (Wendy Robie and Francis Guinan), an elderly couple concerned about their adult children. You got Rod Frank (Keith D. Gallagher), a man who lives in his parents’ basement and is still recovering from a bad break-up. You have Evonne Frank (Clare Cooney), a depressed woman who’s struggling with the looming separation from her wife. You have Norma Frank (Emily Lape), a woman who just wants her family together and to live as freely as they did when they were young. The Frank family is reuniting for Benji Frank’s (Cameron Scott Roberts) graduation.
Benji’s family plans to throw him a graduation party, but he starts to crush on a woman from his school and would rather spend time with her than with his family. Inner turmoil bubbles up within each family member as they quietly struggle with their personal lives. But these quiet battles can sometimes turn into public lashes at each other, and the tensions reach a head when the Frank parents announce that they plan to sell their home.
You’ll find someone’s story to relate to in “Relative,” whether it be through the sentimentality, the lost potential, the depression, or the genuine care this family has for each other. Smith keeps the drama grounded and the character interactions intimate. But like life, the story and drama are so grounded that “Relative” works best as snippets of people’s lives without closure or much epiphany about what happens next for these people.
Content Information
“Relative” is not rated but includes profanity, drug use, drinking, and adult themes.
Other Noteworthy Information
- “Relative” was filmed in Chicago, Illinois.
“Relative” General Information
| Director | Michael Glover Smith |
| Screenplay By | Michael Glover Smith |
| Date Released | May 21, 2024 |
| How To Watch | Video On Demand |
| Genre(s) | Comedy |
| Film Length | 1 Hour, 37 Minutes |
| Content Rating | Not Rated |
| Noted Characters and Cast | |
| Karen Frank | Wendy Robie |
| David Frank | Francis Guinan |
| Benji Frank | Cameron Scott Roberts |
| Evonne Frank | Clare Cooney |
| Norma Frank | Emily Lape |
| Rod Frank | Keith D. Gallagher |
Character Descriptions
Please Note: This character guide is not an exhaustive list of every cast member, and character descriptions may contain what can be considered spoilers.
Karen Frank (Wendy Robie)
Karen is the matriarch of the Frank family. She is patient and understanding of all her children. Now In her late sixties, she continues to work at a library in order to support her kids.
David Frank (Francis Guinan)
David is the patriarch of the Frank family. He, too, is kind but voices more concern about the future of his children, especially Rod. He’s also obsessed with death.
Benji Frank (Cameron Scott Roberts)
Benji is graduating from college. As the youngest Benji starts to develop a romance with someone just as he plans to leave the city.
Evonne Frank (Clare Cooney)
Evonne is depressed and going through a divorce. While her ex is kind and supportive, Evonne keeps her separation secret from her daughter and the rest of their family.
Norma Frank (Emily Lape)
Norma travels alone back to her family’s home. Norma is the most sentimental about who their family used to be when they were all together.
Rod Frank (Keith D. Gallagher)
At 34, Rod lives’ in his parents’ basement. After a bad breakup and PTSD, he spends his days playing video games.
“Relative” Review
Our Rating: Mixed (Divisive)
Let us know your thoughts in the comments:
- What did you think of “Relative?” Was it relatable to your own family?
On The Fence
“Relative” Doesn’t Show, Mostly Tells
There’s an understandable amount of exposition needed for most films. But by setting up six different characters, “Relative” is tasked with characters explaining who they are and their relationships in the family instead of us seeing and coming to these conclusions ourselves. Benji explains that his closest sibling is Evonne and that Rod was a veteran from the Iraq War; Evonne and Norma explain their dissatisfaction with their lives. Certain emotional beats in “Relative” could have been conveyed with a look and trusted by the audience to make the connection.
Awkward Dialogue
Characters clearly explain how they feel in “Relative (Evonne telling her mom about her depression, Benji expressing his feelings for Hekla, etc.), and it feels like a wasted opportunity for drama. Certain scenes play out like afterschool specials because of how easily the characters share their emotions. But the most awkward scenes in ”Relative” are the ill mentions of aging hipsters, scoffs at Trump votes, and support for Black Lives Matter. It feels performative if it’s not related to the plot.
Spread Stories Provide Little Closure
“Relative” will be great for the actors’ reels. Each character gets a monologue or a chance to act the hell out of their characters. But these scenes all feel loosely connected and struggle to make a whole. For some, this may make “Relative” true to life. People fall in love, people struggle to get themselves out of emotional and existential ruts. But in “Relative,” drama is introduced without any closure (the parents moving, Norma’s and Rod’s dissatisfaction with their lives), so you wonder why the drama was shown in the first place.
Good If You Like
- Family dramas and slice-of-live movies.
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