When you think of Robert De Niro in a crime movie, your mind probably jumps to Goodfellas or The Godfather Part II. But tucked away on HBO Max is a lesser-known gem that flips the mafia genre on its head: The Family. Directed by Luc Besson, this 2013 crime comedy stars De Niro, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Tommy Lee Jones in a story about a mob family trying—and hilariously failing—to live a normal life in witness protection.
The premise is simple: after Giovanni (De Niro) rats out his former mafia associates, he and his wife Maggie (Pfeiffer) and their two kids are relocated to a sleepy French village under the watchful eye of a fed (Jones). But old habits die hard, and this family's violent instincts keep bubbling up, turning their quiet new life into a bloody, laugh-out-loud mess. It's a classic fish-out-of-water tale, but with more corpses and tennis-racket beatings.
A Chaotic Blend of Comedy and Crime
What makes The Family stand out is its wild tonal shifts. One moment you're watching a tense car ride with a corpse in the trunk; the next, you're chuckling at the kids running a black market at their high school. The film zips along at a breakneck pace, packing in absurd situations—like a plumber getting a beating for shoddy work—alongside genuinely sweet family moments. It's as if The Sopranos had a baby with a French farce.
De Niro and Pfeiffer anchor the chaos with palpable chemistry. Their marriage feels lived-in, complete with the kind of bickering that only decades of shared secrets (and bodies) can bring. Pfeiffer's Maggie tries to reconnect with her faith to escape boredom, while De Niro's Giovanni pens a memoir—a hilariously risky move for a man in hiding. The kids, played by Dianna Agron and John D'Leo, add their own criminal flair, making every family dinner a potential disaster.
Why It's a Hidden Gem on HBO Max
Despite its star power, The Family flew under the radar upon release. But over a decade later, it's found a second life on streaming. For fans of crime comedies like Deli Boys or This City Is Ours, it offers a lighter, more ridiculous take on mob life. The film doesn't take itself too seriously, and that's its greatest strength.
If you're craving more De Niro crime thrills, check out Oscar Isaac's upcoming Scorsese project for a darker fix. But for now, The Family is a perfect weekend watch—bloody, funny, and surprisingly heartfelt.
