Movies inspired by SNL characters seem to have a consistently bad reputation. But that reputation is usually based on the fact that the films failed at the box office. The truth is, they are good solid comedies that were never meant to be blockbusters. 'Stuart Saves His Family' is just such a film.This film has a cast of excellent actors who portray tragedy and comedy with sublime skill. The script is heartfelt and funny. There is no mockery of recovery programs or the self-help movement. Instead, 'Stuart Saves His Family' evokes the all too real humor amid the tragedy that comes from being part of a dysfunctional family (and world).AL Franken's deadpan deliver of Stuart's ridiculous, but charming self is the the heart of the movie. But equally good are Piper Laurie, Vincent D'Onofrio, Lesley Boone & Harris Yulin. All four play characters who could easily descend into shrill, two-dimensional background support to the wacky lead character. Thankfully, the actors all bring out the human beings inside their characters.The message about finding your own definition of happiness and family is another of the movie's strong points.I also recommend "Superstar", another SNL character driven movie, starring Molly Shannon. She's an excellent actress with a wicked, silly streak.

A lot of users compared this to other SNL movies, which is reasonable since it's based on an SNL sketch, but in some respects is totally unfair. The SNL sketch was played for laughs. This is a DRAMA, not a comedy (despite having lots of funny scenes). The focus is on Stuart's (Al Franken) dysfunctional family, which dysfunction stems from his father's (Harris Yulin) alcoholism, which cows Stuart's mother into submission, drives his sister to overeating, and is gradually turning his brother (the always-great Vincent D'Onofrio) into a copy of his father. All of this has turned Stuart into the self-help addict we see on SNL. The other key character is Stuart's friend and self-help partner Laura San Giacomo (also turning in a great performance), who shares a wonderful platonic relationship with Stuart based on mutual empathy. The scene where San Giacomo describes her meeting with her biological father almost brought tears to my eyes. I give this an 8 because it loses some points for inconsistency by trying too hard to be a comedy during the first half of the movie. But once the real drama kicks in during the second half, it becomes brilliantly poignant. Less even than "American Beauty," (its closest analog) but just as good at depicting family dysfunction. Highly recommended.

Al Franken is so bad, he drags this otherwise bad movie down to terrible. Laura San Giacomo is, though, great ... just not enough to save this mess. Franken's diction is abysmal, almost as if he had some physical defect; he should never be allowed near a microphone. For that matter, he probably should not be allowed in front of a camera, either. He must know somebody, because he has not anywhere near enough talent to be named the star of a movie, any movie, even one this bad. After writing the above, some years later I saw him in an old "Saturday Night Live," and I realize I was understating the problem.Franken was terrible even in those lousy skits. Worst of all, He Was Just Not Funny, even, or especially, in the dumb skits he himself wrote.Laura San Giacomo, however, is so beautiful, so exotically beautiful, that one could almost put up with Franken just to be able to look at her. Almost. Better to watch her in something else. Anything else. THIS IS ADDED: After reading comments by others, I understand better what motivated people to produce this awful movie. (It's still terrible.) I said "yes" to "Was this comment helpful?" even when I disagreed with the rating the commenter had given. Reason: It was indeed helpful. I wish others would answer the question rather than saying "no" because they disagree with the opinion.

I don't know how funny this movie is to people who aren't involved in 12-step programs or don't know anyone who is. But to this 12-stepper, the movie is hilarious. Al Franken and crew seem to walk the narrow line between poking fun at the 12-step movement while also appreciating its good points. Lots of in-jokes here, and some very funny ones. I bought the home video version and have watched it several times. Al Franken, Laura San Giacomo, Shirley Knight, Julia Sweeney are all very good.