Chosen Family Review – Comedic Drama Delivers Laughs, Entertaining

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Category: UK A&E, Lifestyle, Culture

Published on Wednesday, 16 April 2025 11:13

Written by Janet Walker

Chosen Family, from Plaion Pictures, presents a light-hearted situation comedy, as Ann begins to recognize that patterns in her life and suddenly finds every life obligation converging, to a climactic moment of decision forcing her to choose.

The film opens as Ann, played by Heather Graham, is thinking about her upcoming visit to her parents and reviewing, in her mind, while the scenes play out on screen, of her poor relationship choices. Of course, she is sure the problem lies with her. She is also picking up her sister, Clio, played by Julia Stiles, from rehab. The two sisters couldn't be more opposite.

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When they arrive at her parent's house, Mom, played by Julie Halston, and Dad, played by Michael Gross, both born again Christians, are trying to fix her up with a nice man from her church. And Ann, tired of attempts to redirect her thinking, ideas, and ideologies, is polite and respectful but firmly opposed to parental interference in her dating choices.

After she drops her sister off, and her mother explains that she is reviving her pre-marriage dreams of becoming a singer, and with the internet, you can do anything, make videos, sing and drop the tunes like a professional, she is stressed.

She finally meets up with her cohort of friends, a married couple, Max, played by Thomas Lennon, Frances, played by Odessa Rae, who are opening a restaurant, their daughter Emma, played by Iris Achilleas, and Roz, played by Andrea Savage. Today they are tasting the menu, when Steve, played by John Brotherton, the contractor shows up and completely hypnotizes Ann.

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When he leaves she asks Max to set her up with him. Finally, it seems like she met someone who she could connect with. The first date is perfect, which brings a little concern for Ann, something has to be wrong if the first date went so well.

So, after a few dates he begins to explain the nightmare his divorce has become, and his daughter, Lily played by Ella Grace Helton, has been having issues with the disruption. The tension increases when Lily begins to dictate the terms of the relationship. Hoping to keep the relationship she invites everyone over for dinner, so her friends can help her understand what is going on.

In between the desire to make her relationship with this really great guy work, her sister has released again, and even then, Steve helps her with her family issues without judgement. Even then, he sticks around.

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Just as it seems like her life, with her chosen family, is on track, the owner of the yoga studio, Sarah, played by Stacy Sargent, explains to her that it is her responsibility to fill the classes. She takes her Sarah's advice and creates a video, in a bikini, that she doesn't intend to post but in advertently the video posts and her classes are booked solid, with a waiting list.

With everything on the line, she finally reaches a point where she will no longer allow herself to be controlled by others, which leads to a dramatic and comical ending.

Chosen Family weaves into this comedic drama difficult truths of finally being free from the expectations that are placed upon individuals and can hinder choices, and it is shown in a variety of ways, even passing on a good thing. The writer and director, Heather Graham, also layers into this story the fact that our DNA, circumstances, and history don't define our future. Our choices are ours to make. Even with these underlying truths, the story remains uncomplicated, funny with comedic sitcom moments.

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The ensemble delivers over the top comical performances that highlight life, as families navigate the pitfalls, the unexpected, loss, and sorrow of love and romance, and adult parenting in the modern age. Even the challenging issues of drug addiction have a comedic overtone, and Julia Stiles embodies the tragic lost daughter who is able to manipulate her parents effortlessly.

An easy uncomplicated film, Chosen Family personifies a lifestyle many find themselves navigating as they search for their place and their friend-family.

Chosen Family premiers on UK streaming platforms April 21, 2025. See it.

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Country: UK.

Language: English.

Runtime: 84 minutes.

Release Date: April 21, 2025.

Formats: Digital Download.

Director: Heather Graham.

Producer: Anthony Gudas, Paul Luba, Michael A. Nickles, Andre Relis, Chad Verdi Jr., Chad A. Verdi, Michelle Verdi.

Executive Producer: J.D. Beaufils, Ameer Fawaz, Jessica Bennett, Tom Verdi.

Writer: Heather Graham.

Cast: Heather Graham, Julia Stiles, John Brotherton, Thomas Lennon, Michael Gross, Andrea Savage, Julie Halston, Odessa Rae, Mark Famiglietti, Stacey Sergeant.

Janet Walker is the publisher, founder, and sole owner of Haute-Lifestyle.com. A graduate of New York University, she has been covering international news through the Beltway Insider, a weekly review of the nation's top stories, for more than a decade.  A general beat writer/reporter and entertainment/film critic, she is also an accomplished news/investigative news/crime reporter and submitted for Pulitzer Prize consideration "Cops Conspire to Deep Six Sex Assaults" in the Breaking News Category and was persuaded to withdraw the submission. Ms. Walker has completed five screenplays, "The Six Sides of Truth," "The Assassins of Fifth Avenue," "The Wednesday Killer," "The Manhattan Project," and the sci-fi thriller "Project 13: The Last Day." She is completing the non-fiction narrative, "Unholy Alliances: A True Crime Story," which is expected to be released in early 2025. She is a member of the Los Angeles Press Club, the National Writers Union, and a former member of the International Federation of Journalists.