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A Family Thing Poster

A Family Thing

With family, everything is relative.
1996 | 109m | English

(4875 votes)

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Popularity: 1 (history)

Details

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.
Release Date: Mar 29, 1996
Director: Richard Pearce
Writer: Tom Epperson, Billy Bob Thornton
Genres: Comedy, Drama
Keywords letter, arkansas, birth, biracial, matriarchy
Production Companies Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, United Artists, Butcher's Run Films
Box Office Revenue: $10,125,417
Budget: $0
Updates Updated: Feb 06, 2026
Entered: Apr 13, 2024
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Extras

No extras available.

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Full Credits

Name Character
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.
Rufus Thomas Tommy
Reggie Hayes Virgil's Friend
Patrice Pitman Quinn Willa Mae
Don James Junior Turner
Jim Sanderson Dr. Parks
Crystal Laws Green Maotis
Nathan Lee Lewis Brother Conners
Katharine Mitchell Woman in Apartment
Willo Hausman Waitress
J. Antonio Moon Truckjacker
Jeri Boyle Old Lady
Tommy Bush Old Man
Wanda Christine Woman at City Hall
Roy Hytower Man at Gas Station
John Mikels Policeman
Bernard Mixon Birthday Husband
Paulette McDaniels Birthday Girl
Antoine Roshell Young Man in Car
Greg Hollimon Man #2
Andrew Love The Nightclub Band
Tony Brown The Nightclub Band
Theodis Rodgers The Nightclub Band
David Spencer The Nightclub Band
Eddie Bo Smith Jr. Green Mill Bouncer (uncredited)
Name Job
Tom Epperson Writer
Richard Pearce Director
Billy Bob Thornton Writer
Victoria Thomas Casting
Jason White Extras Casting Assistant
Rick LeFevour Stunt Coordinator
Mark Warner Editor
Linda DeScenna Production Design
Ric McElvin Set Decoration
Michael Hausman Unit Production Manager
Aiman A. Humaideh Second Assistant Director
Alphonse Blumenthal Chief Lighting Technician
John S. Robertson Dolly Grip
Fred Murphy Director of Photography
James Nedza Art Direction
Joe I. Tompkins Costume Design
Gerrit Dangremond Camera Operator
Morgan Michael Lewis Key Grip
Charles Gross Original Music Composer
Craig Huston First Assistant Director
Name Title
Robert Duvall Producer
Randa Haines Producer
Michael Hausman Executive Producer
Brad Wilson Co-Producer
Todd Black Producer
Scott Ferguson Associate Producer
Organization Category Person
Popularity Metrics

Popularity History


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2024 4 8 16 4
2024 5 10 17 5
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Trending Position


Year Month High Avg
2025 2 990 990

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