A Family Thing
“With family, everything is relative.”
Synopsis
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.
Top Cast
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Robert Duvall
Earl Pilcher Jr.
James Earl Jones
Ray Murdock
Michael Beach
Virgil
Irma P. Hall
Aunt T.
Grace Zabriskie
Ruby
Regina Taylor
Ann
David Keith
Sonny
Xander Berkeley
Sunburned Man
Jacqueline Williams
Woman at Hospital
Mary Jackson
Carrie
Paula Marshall
Karen
Phillip Edward Van Lear
Club Manager
Meg Thalken
Doctor
Richard Lexsee
Truckjacker
James N. Harrell
Earl Pilcher Sr.
Lauren Leigh Phillips
Kindra
Ashleigh Jordan
Danielle
Saundra Quarterman
Young Aunt T.
Release History & Theatrical Window
March 29, 1996
Wide Cinema Exhibition
Financials & Box Office Performance
Production Budget
Undisclosed
Filming & production cost
Worldwide Gross
$10.1M
Total global ticket sales
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Richard Pearce
- Screenplay & Story
- Billy Bob Thornton, Tom Epperson
- Original Score
- Charles Gross
- Original Title
- A Family Thing
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 1h 49m
- Worldwide Gross
- $10.1M
- Production Studios
- United Artists, Butcher's Run Films, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Richard Pearce
Billy Bob Thornton, Tom Epperson
Charles Gross
Fred Murphy
Mark Warner
Robert Duvall, Randa Haines, Michael Hausman, Todd Black
Department Leadership Roster
Richard Pearce
Director
Billy Bob Thornton
Writer
Tom Epperson
Writer
Rick LeFevour
Stunt Coordinator
Charles Gross
Original Music Composer
Robert Duvall
Producer
Mark Warner
Editor
Fred Murphy
Director of Photography
Linda DeScenna
Production Design
Randa Haines
Producer
Joe I. Tompkins
Costume Design
Todd Black
Producer
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
PG-13: Parents Strongly Cautioned — May contain intense action, language, or mature themes.
International Certification Matrix
Parents Strongly Cautioned — May contain intense action, language, or mature themes.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for A Family Thing.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring A Family Thing.
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Frequently Asked Questions About A Family Thing
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is A Family Thing about?
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.
Who directed A Family Thing?
A Family Thing was directed by Richard Pearce.
Who stars in A Family Thing?
The principal cast of A Family Thing includes Robert Duvall, James Earl Jones, Michael Beach, Irma P. Hall, Grace Zabriskie.
When was A Family Thing released and how long is it?
A Family Thing was released in 1996 with a total runtime of 1h 49m.
How much did A Family Thing make at the box office?
A Family Thing grossed $10.1M in worldwide ticket sales.
Who composed the musical score for A Family Thing?
The original motion picture soundtrack for A Family Thing was composed by Charles Gross.
What is the age rating and content advisory for A Family Thing?
A Family Thing holds official age classifications: US: PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned — May contain intense action, language, or mature themes.).