Chosen Family initially sets out to explore what appears to be a typical, entertaining, and ever-relatable tale of losing yourself to awkward and unbearable family dysfunction—yet it fails to bloom into its full potential. Instead, it poses as a chemistry-lacking, stale comedy with an abundance of forced interactions, making for an underwhelming experience.

Directed by lead Heather Graham (Boogie Nights, Austin Powers), Chosen Family follows yoga teacher Ann Fitzgerald, as she attempts to embark on a self-fuelled journey of self-discovery—one that proves far from simple. When her miserable dating life, manic family dynamics, her recovering-addict sister, and complete inability to say no come into play- it raises the question, will Ann ever find true happiness?

Chosen Family immediately thrusts the watcher into Ann's almost lulling example of a ‘perfect' suburban, slow-living lifestyle. The introduction of two polar-opposite sisters—Ann herself, an underwhelmed yoga teacher seeking purpose in her unfulfilling life, and Clio (Julia Stiles), a fierce, fiery extrovert recently completing drug rehabilitation—immediately creates a stark contrast. Returning to their family home to support Clio's readjustment after rehab, the sisters find their ‘home comforts' lacking, facing instead their invasive, erratic parents who constantly interrupt them, battling between praise and disapproval of both of their children's lifestyles, ensuring that neither daughter ever truly feels at ease. Mother Dorothy (Julie Halston) believes that she is destined to more out of life with aspirations of stardom, and religion preaching father Alfred (Michael Gross) constantly giving unsolicited ‘advice.'

Whilst her character is a refreshing contrast to the suburban feel, Julia Stiles does not quite sell the angsty-sister feeling that Heather Graham perhaps intended her character to. When we do eventually find out exactly why Clio's life had turned down a road of addiction, however, it does spark feelings of empathy towards her harrowing experiences that she has long blamed Ann for. Whilst Clio was one of the more rewarding additions to Chosen Family, it is still not quite enough to garner any real audience to screen connections, with characters simply lacking development, and comedy moments rendering humourless and earnest.

Ann is miserable, living an underwhelmingly routine life, continuously dating ‘losers', so she eventually agrees to a date with Steve, a recently divorced friend of a friend. Just when everything seems to be going picture-perfect, she meets his daughter, Lilly, a textbook ‘daddy's girl,' who seizes every opportunity to embarrass Ann and has her father wrapped around her finger, resulting in a few very laughable moments. Despite Chosen Family's many flaws, it showcases a compelling tale of father-daughter relationships, shown here between Steve and Lilly. However, instead of entertainment value, this often garners more frustration and irritation from the viewer more than anything, creating an unsettling atmosphere, blurring the lines of what makes Chosen Family a comedy.

Whilst Chosen Family is not short of an array of spirited and entertaining one-liners, this shaky attempt at comedy value is not enough to distract from the peculiar and awkward dynamic between Ann and her friends. Their connections and interactions feel extremely forced at best, lacking the chemistry that we so eagerly search for when hunting for relatability.

With what little suspense and excitement that the soundtrack managed to resurrect, Chosen Family remains slow-moving, and never quite lifts off into the romantic comedy that it tries to become. Despite its intentions, Chosen Family struggles to produce a wholesome and heart-warming exploration of friendship, positivity, and self-discovery, instead falling flat.

Chosen Family will be available on Digital Download from 21 April.