A Family Thing

A Family Thing is a 1996 film starring Robert Duvall, James Earl Jones and Irma P. Hall. It was written by Billy Bob Thornton and Tom Epperson and directed by Richard Pearce.

Earl initially takes the unexpected news of his mixed parentage badly, tearfully challenging his father to confirm the facts in the letter. As a result, he packs up his clothes and takes off for Chicago to find his brother. He meets Ray at city hall where Ray works as a police officer and Ray, although he really wants nothing to do with Earl, agrees to meet him for lunch at a diner. There Ray reveals that he knew all along that he had a half white brother and that he hates Earls father and Earl too by association because he feels that he is what killed his mother. He says in so many words that he doesnt want or need a brother, and they go their separate ways. But when Earl leaves and drives off in his truck he encounters four black Chicago street toughs who rear end his truck. When Earl gets out to survey the minimal damage, he, being a trusting Southern good ol boy, leaves his keys in the ignition. The toughs beat him up and steal his truck and his wallet. He walks around in a daze and ends up in a hospital. The hospital staff finds Rays information in Earls pocket and calls Ray. He comes reluctantly, and the doctor tells him that Earl may have a concussion and needs to take it easy for a couple of days no traveling is allowed. She also tells him that the hospital is full, so he will have to take Earl home to recuperate.At Rays home, Earl meets Aunt T Hall, a kind and generous elderly woman who is blind. Aunt T. is Willa Maes sister, and thus, Earls aunt. Earl also meets Rays son, Virgil Beach, a city bus driver who doesnt appreciate a white southerner sleeping in his bed. At first, Earls stay at the Murdoch residence is rocky. Ray explains that Earl is an old war buddy whose life he saved. During a shopping excursion with Earl, Aunt T reveals that she knows who Earl really is. In a powerful scene, Aunt T scolds Ray and Virgil for not welcoming a member of their family, no matter how different he is. Earl overhears the discussion and leaves Rays house, walking unk

Source: Wikipedia