People go to the movies to escape real life, so when a film comes along that explores a family faced with everyday problems, will the audience be entertained? In the case of It Runs in the Family, the answer is "Yes." An engaging story about the drama of every family member from youngest to oldest, this enjoyable movie offers vignettes of personal challenges, tragedy, and triumph that audiences can easily identify with and understand.

The wonderful talents of the Douglas family – Kirk, Michael, Diana and Cameron – are on display here. Bernadette Peters and Rory Culkin also add their acting skills to a fine cast that elicits tears, laughter and heartfelt compassion for the film’s characters.

Mitchell Gromberg (Kirk Douglas) is an aging senior trying to recover from a stroke. It’s not easy for a senior law firm partner to trade prestigious trial cases for a fishing pole. Mitchell is also dealing with feelings of regret because he paid too little attention to his son Alex (Michael Douglas) while he was growing up. Although this story was not written with the Douglases in mind, many of the elements resemble the family’s own dilemmas. Honorary Oscar recipient Kirk Douglas is the first to admit he can relate to his character.

"When you have a helicopter crash, a pacemaker and a stroke, you change your attitude about life, and you begin to take inventory," said Kirk. "I realized I was working overtime making movies, producing and was too self-centered. I didn’t spend enough time with my kids, and I always wanted to, because my father never gave me a pat on the back. So I wanted to be a better father, but I think I became a better grandfather instead."

Film and stage actress Diana Douglas, Michael’s mother and Kirk’s first wife, brings a lovely sensitivity to the screen as both an adoring wife to Mitchell and a peacemaker between her husband and Alex.

Kirk infuses Mitchell with his own great sense of humor and introspection. These are qualities Alex admires, but he can’t quite forget that for most of his life his dad wasn’t there for him. As he deals with his job at his dad’s law firm and tries to keep the home fires alive with his wife Rebecca (Peters), a psychologist, and his two sons, Asher (Cameron) and Eli (Culkin), Alex often checks out on the overwhelming challenge.

Making his first foray into film, Cameron, 24, who has spent his young years pursuing a musical career, plays Asher, a teen living on his own and exploring drugs, sex and rock n’ roll. It takes his arrest to get Alex’s attention away from quarreling with his father and possibly indulging in a sexual affair. Cameron’s acting talents surprised and pleased his dad and grandfather. "Are you kidding," said Michael, "After that first scene my father and I looked at each other and said, ‘Jesus, it's every man for himself. This kid is going to steal the picture if we don't look out.’"

Hailing from another well-known acting family is Rory Culkin who plays Eli, an 11-year-old just beginning to experience maturity and teenage anguish. Culkin portrays Eli with a combination of intrigue and wonder. About Rory, director Fred Schepisi, said, "He brings a truth and interesting quality to a difficult role. He’s also working with some pretty incredible actors but he completely holds his own with no problem."

It Runs in the Family does more than offer enjoyable entertainment. It also gives viewers a chance to relish one of Hollywood’s prominent acting dynasties appearing together on the big screen for the first time.

(Released by MGM and rated "PG-13" for drug content, sexual material and language.)

Read Diana's interview with the Douglas family.