Directed by Jesse Peretz
Starring Paul Rudd, Zooey Deschanel, Elizabeth Banks
Everyone has that one family member that despite all the best intentions in the world just can’t quite get things right. That “idiot” relative takes center stage here.
The Movie
In the opening scene of Our Idiot Brother the kind-hearted but naïve Ned (Paul Rudd) sells marijuana to a uniformed police officer and winds up in jail. After his release he finds that his girlfriend has moved on to a new guy and now he doesn’t have a place to live. On top of all this she will not let him have his dog, Willie Nelson. With no where to go Ned turns to his family.
Starting with his mother (Shirley Knight) Ned moves in with each of his family members (Elizabeth Banks, Zooey Deschanel and Emily Mortimer) and manages to disrupt each of their lives with his own brand of well meaning helpfulness. As he bounces from one family member to another things get increasingly worse for Ned, and seemingly for his sisters.
Our Idiot Brother falls into a category of movies that litter the multiplexes these days and really, they defy definition. By that I mean that they aren’t comedies nor are they dramas. And as much as I like the term “dramedy” they don’t qualify for that moniker either. Yes, there are comedic elements to this movie. Yes, there is some drama as well. But in the end this movie seems to be a “feel good” movie that doesn’t make you feel as good as it should. By the end you feel good for Ned but the rest of the family just feels like an endless pit of self-centeredness and self importance.
At the end of the movie I felt like things had closure. Sure it’s not hard to guess where this movie is going or how it will get there but it is a fun ride. I’m not sure I would go back and re-watch this movie but I don’t think I would turn the channel if it was on either. I would however recommend watching Our Idiot Brother.
8/10
The Video
Presented in Widescreen 1.78:1, 1080p. I’m starting to see the benefits of the blu-ray format. Everything that I’ve watched so far has looked spectacular and this movie is no different.
9/10
The Audio
This movie is featured in 5.1 DTSHD-MA and if I had surround sound I’m sure it would sound spectacular. I really need to invest in better audio….
8/10
The Packaging and Special Features
The special features (as well as the packaging) are pretty lackluster. The only real feature is the Making of featurette. Of course there is an audio commentary and some deleted scenes but all in all there isn’t much to watch. And the packaging is just a blu-ray clamshell with a paper insert.
2/10
Overall (Not an Average) 8/10
I really liked this movie. It was enjoyable and Paul Rudd is as likeable and relatable as ever. This is a good movie for settling in on a cold night with your significant other and relaxing on the couch.
The Review
The Movie 8/10
The Video 9/10
The Audio 8/10
The Packaging and Special Features 2/10
Overall (Not an Average) 8/10