Movie Family Analysis
Submit by 2359 Saturday of Week 1.
Name: Date:
Overview
Choose a movie from the provided list. Watch the movie, focusing specifically on the family unit featured in the film. Compare and contrast the movie family’s characteristics and behaviors to the assessment criteria introduced in the class notes and readings from the textbook. Address each characteristic including specific examples from the movie to validate your analysis. You must use references (textbook, class notes, others), and these must be cited throughout your paper. Submit your analysis in this document, typed using APA format (double-spaced). Limit is five (5) content pages.
Choose one of these movies:
The Journey of August King
Steel Magnolias
It’s a Wonderful Life
Mrs. Doubtfire
Field of Dreams
The Avengers
Mr. Holland’s Opus
Remember the Titans
The Horse Whisperer
Madea’s Family Reunion
The Sound of Music
Stepmom
Run Away Bride I am Sam The Notebook
The Last Song
Objectives
• Explore developmental characteristics of the family as a unit across the lifespan.
• Examine health patterns and practices transmitted across generations.
Rubric
NOTE: All assignments must be submitted on time. Assignments submitted after the deadline will be accepted with a penalty of 5% of the total possible points for EACH DAY that the assignment is late.
Movie Family Assessment Target
50 points max Acceptable
At least 37 points Unacceptable
Less than 32 points
Introduction
(5 points) Introduction is present and forecasts content of the paper.
(4-5 points) Introduction is present and forecasts the content of the paper.
(2-3 points) Introduction is present , sketchy, or introduction is missing
(0-1 point)
Movie Setting and Story
(6 points)
Complete description of each major character in the movie family, the setting, and the context of the story
(5-6 points) General description of the major characters in the movie family, the setting, and the context of the story
(3-4 points) Incomplete description of the major characters in the movie family, the setting, and/or the context of the story
(0-2 point)
Assessment of Movie Family
Family processes
(20 points) Complete description of each of these processes:
• Sociocultural
• Environment
• Communication
• Power/decision making
• Roles
(19-20 points) Complete description of 4 of these processes and general description of 1:
• Sociocultural
• Environment
• Communication
• Power/ decision making
• Roles
(11-18 points) General description of at least 2 processes and complete description of up to 3:
• Sociocultural
• Environment
• Communication
• Power/decision making
• Roles
(0-10 points)
Values
(6 points) Clearly describes the family values as demonstrated in the movie.
(5-6 points) Adequately describes the family values as demonstrated in the movie.
(3-4 points) Minimally describes the family values as demonstrated in the movie.
(0-2 point)
Socialization and Child Rearing
(6 points) Clearly describes the family dynamics of socialization and child rearing.
(5-6 points) Describes the family dynamics of socialization and child rearing.
( 3-4 points) Minimally describes the family dynamics of socialization and child rearing.
(0-2 point)
Healthcare Beliefs and Practices
(6 points) Clearly depicts the healthcare beliefs and practices of the family.
(5-6 points) Somewhat depicts the healthcare beliefs and practices of the family.
(3-4 points) Inadequately depicts the healthcare beliefs and practices of the family.
(0-2 point)
Adaptation
(6 points) Clearly shows the ability of the family to adapt to new situations.
(5-6 points) Adequately shows the ability of the family to adapt to new situations.
(3-4 points) Inadequately shows the ability of the family to adapt to new situations.
(0-2 point)
Genogram
(10 points)
Represents a minimum of 2 generations;
Uses correct symbols to demonstrate relationships;
Includes symbol legend
(9-10 points) Represents 2 generations;
Uses mostly correct symbols to demonstrate relationships;
Includes symbol legend
(6-8 points) Fails to represent 2 generations, and/or
uses incorrect symbols to demonstrate relationships, and/or symbol legend is missing
(0-5 points)
Ecomap
(10 points) Identifies family relationships inside the middle circle;
Uses external circles to include representation from multiple formal and informal support systems;
Identifies the nature of relationships between family members and support systems;
Includes legend
(9-10 points) Identifies family relationships inside the middle circle;
Uses external circles to include representation from some formal and informal support systems;
Identifies the nature of some of the relationships between family members and support systems;
Includes legend
(6-8 points) Somewhat identifies family relationships inside the circle;
Lacks representation from formal and informal support systems;
Does not identify the nature of relationships between family members and support systems;
Lacks legend
(0-5 points)
Comparison to Beavers Systems Model
(10 points) Compares the movie family to the Beavers Systems Model addressing each of these components:
• Family structure
• Mythology
• Goal-directed negotiations
• Autonomy
• Family affect
• Global appraisal of the family’s level of development or functional competency (Severely disturbed, Borderline, Mid-range Adequate, or Optimal)
(9-10 points) Compares the movie family to the Beavers Systems Model addressing 4-5 of these components:
• Family structure
• Mythology
• Goal-directed negotiations
• Autonomy
• Family affect
• Global appraisal of the family’s level of development or functional competency (Severely disturbed, Borderline, Mid-range Adequate, or Optimal)
(6-8 points) Addresses fewer than 4 of these components:
• Family structure
• Mythology
• Goal-directed negotiations
• Autonomy
• Family affect
• Global appraisal of the family’s level of development or functional competency (Severely disturbed, Borderline, Mid-range Adequate, or Optimal)
(0-5 points)
Summary and Conclusion
(5 points) Includes summary and conclusions
(4-5 points) Includes summary and conclusions
(2-3 points) Missing summary and/or conclusions
(0-1 point)
Format and Quality of Writing
(10 points) Error-free or almost error-free grammar, spelling, punctuation, APA format, and length is within guidelines
(9-10 points) Generally error-free grammar, spelling, punctuation, APA format, and length is within guidelines
(6-8 points) Error-filled grammar, spelling, punctuation, and/or APA format, and/or length not within guidelines.
(0-5 points)
Instructions
Review the Rubric to guide your work on the Movie Family Assessment, using appropriate subheadings in your work. Write in the text boxes provided, then copy/paste images of your genogram and ecomap on the final two pages. (You may need to scan or photograph your genogram/ecomap and save it to your computer as an image if you did not create it in a Word document.)
Your page count begins on the next page and does NOT include your genogram and ecomap.
Introduction
Unity is one of the most important aspects of having a healthy family. In the movie Mrs. Doubtfire, you see a father’s struggle to continue keeping that unity with children. Constant struggles of visitation rights, long periods of not seeing his children, and issues with his ex-wife. When watching the movie, you are able to see the family change as major life events occur. The movie shows the family enduring changes in setting, family process, values, and beliefs.
Movie Setting and Story
The movie takes place in San Francisco, California. The family is made of up of the parents, 2 daughters (Natalie & Lydia), and one son (Chris). The father, Daniel Hillard, deals with many issues of keeping a job. Danial being a comedian and actor makes a negative impact on the day to day household operations.Instead of being that parental figure the children need he lacks maturity. The mother, Miranda Hillard is a hardworking is a designer. Eventually after years of coming home from work to a disorganized house, she has become tired of the relationship. Miranda finally asks Danial for a divorce, which causes Danial to go to extreme measures to have a presence in his children’s life.
After the custody battle, Daniel decides to disguise himself for a housekeeper position which Miranda posts in the newspaper. This is the point which Daniel seeks help from his homosexual brother, Frank, a makeup and special effects artist. After much practice and deliberation, Mrs. Euphegenia Doubtfire is born. Danial utilizes his alter ego Mrs. Doubtfire to take care of his children after school, providing that he/she creates structure with the children. Assuring they complete their homework, helping with upkeep of the home, and cooking dinner. This experience builds Daniel up, making him a more accountable and responsible parent. The children enjoy having Mrs. Doubtfire as a nanny. Later, Daniel’s cover is blown by his two eldest children. After much pleading from Daniel they agree to keep his cover concealed from Lydia, so that he can still be able to spend time with them. His cover is eventually given away as they celebrate Mirandas birthday, in which Mrs. Doubtfire attempts the Heimlich maneuver on Mirandas new love interest Stuart. Miranda becomes extremely upset with Daniel.
Later, Miranda and Daniel regroup for a custody hearing in which Daniel loses custody of the children, regardless that he has maintained a job and an apartment of his own. Daniel continues with his job, and utilizes Mrs. Doubtfire for an education tv show for children. After some time, Miranda and the children find it hard not having Daniel/Mrs. Doubtfire around. Miranda then seeks Daniel to apologize and rearranges for Daniel to be able to pick the children up after school. Allowing him to spend more time with the children.
Assessment of Movie Family
The family lives in an America, and are considered to be of an upper-middle class. Being that Miranda is a designer, she is a highly educated professional. Daniel on the other hand would be considered to be of a lower class status due to not being able to keep or find a position.
Looking at the family home, neighborhood, and community as an environment we are able to see both positive and negative aspects. The family home is considered to be of good structure and safe for the children to live in. The interior and exterior of the home is wonderful conditions. The kitchen was shown to have adequate supplies and facilities. The neighborhood is depicted as one that is free of vandalism and possible low in crime. Daniels apartment on the other hand is first shown in a negative way. The paint of the interior seems old. The apartment is shown to be unclean and unsanitary with food and clothes left in all areas of the living space. After time both living areas are shown to be very adequate living quarters.
In the film, we are able to see the progression of communication from poor to both of the parents being on the same page. In chapter 10 of our readings, Daniel would compare more as a dysfunctional sender and receiver. Daniel struggled to understand and listen all while making assumptions. Most of the dysfunctional communication took place between Daniel and Miranda before Mrs. Doubtfire was created. Once Mrs. Doubtfire was created their communication vastly improved because of Miranda’s openness to Mrs. Doubtfire which led to Danial understanding her point of view.
Looking at the family as a whole. You are able to see the power hierarchy involved. Miranda is shown to be the one that maintains power over the children as well as over Daniel. Miranda is usually the one making decisions for the family. She feels as though she needs to also take care of Daniel along with the children. With the situational events of divorce. Family role changes, role conflict, or confusion is one of the major sources of stress for both stepparents and stepchildren (Friedman et al., 2003, p. 333). Oddly, with Mrs. Doubtfire in the picture, an alleviation to this effect occurs. Mrs. Doubtfire is seen as the caretaker, and coordinator for the family. Overall, this creates harmony in the family.
The family is developed on values surrounding good work ethic, education, and equality. Miranda and Daniel overall instill core values into the life of their children with the help of Mrs. Doubtfire. With the aid of Mrs. Doubtfire. The children are given positive influence, support, and assistance with socialization. With the experiences gained on a daily basis the children are provided with parental support. Child rearing is able to take place with the assistance of Mrs. Doubtfire acting in place as an adult caregiver. Something that a single-parent family would struggle with in most cases (Friedman et al., 2003, p. 414). No form of healthcare beliefs were expressed throughout the film. Other than Miranda encouraged the children to eat nutritious foods. This was also enforced with Mrs. Doubtfire expressing that, “they will only eat good, nutritious food with me (Williams & Columbus, 1993).”
Comparison to Beavers System Model
Reviewing the Beavers System Model, the family seemed to have functioned within multiple levels of the model. With Miranda being extremely authoritative, the family bounced from Severely Disturbed to functioning in an Adequate state. At first the children did not fully accept Mrs. Doubtfire as a member of their unit. This shows the lack of change and flexibility they had. The family seemed to be in a state of turmoil in regards to the situation of the divorce as a whole. The family structure relied on the parents for guidance. This in turn created closeness within the family and a sense of loyalty. After the two older children became more aware of Mrs. Doubtfire’s true identity, the children seemed to show a difference in conflict resolution.
Summary and Conclusion
Overall the film is a classic family comedy. I clearly shows the setting, processes, values, and adaptation of the family. Mrs. Doubtfire does a great job of gearing its focus on the family as a whole. As well as to what extreme measures the father would take to be a part of his children’s lives. Mrs. Doubtfire states, if there's love, dear…those are the ties that bind, and you'll have a family in your heart, forever (Williams & Columbus, 1993). The ending of the film encourages love as being the most important quality to a family.