Friday night, the kids are in bed, the cats are running around like maniacs, and two wine glasses of Australian Sweet Justice Moscato. Sounds like it’s time for a movie night.
Looking for a dumb-but-enjoyable comedy, my wife found Our Idiot Brother, a 2011 comedy-drama film starring Paul Rudd, Elizabeth Banks, Zooey Deschanel, and Emily Mortimer. Supporting actors and actresses of note are Steve Coogan and Rashida Jones. It’s the story of Ned (Paul Rudd) who, for reasons I shall not explain, gets down on his luck, and comes back into the lives of his mother and his three sisters. He ends up living with each of them at various times over the course of a few months. From Wikipedia,
Ned has three sisters. Miranda (Elizabeth Banks) is a journalist for Vanity Fair trying to get her first major article published. Though she has trouble finding a man to keep her interest, she and a neighbor, Jeremy (Adam Scott)have hidden feelings for each other, but would rather be good friends. Natalie (Zooey Deschanel) is a young, independent, bisexual hipster living with her girlfriend, Cindy (Rashida Jones) and 5 other roommates, suggesting a very communal type apartment. Her love for Cindy conflicts with her fear of commitment, which she hides even around Cindy. Liz (Emily Mortimer), the oldest, is married to Dylan (Steve Coogan), a documentary filmmaker. Their marriage is failing as Dylan shows no sexual or emotional interest in Liz. They also have strict control over their son River, which leaves him unhappy and unable to express himself.
So of course, hilarity and some drama ensues over the course of 90 minutes. Ned’s character is the catalyst for change in the lives of his sisters.
What did I think of the movie? It wasn’t bad. I wouldn’t have been happy to spend the $30 for movie tickets, popcorn and soda, but for $6, and sitting with my gal and drinking wine? It wasn’t a bad way to spend the evening. Paul Rudd’s character Ned and the sisters aren’t bad, and the movie is entertaing. It’s not a tour de force, but it’s not terrible or stupid either. It’s decent, and definitely a rental on a quiet Friday evening home with your signficant other.
Side note, I got a kick out of seeing Adam Scott in this film, as I’ve recently enjoyed his character on the 3rd season of Parks of Recreation as Ben Wyatt.
Our Idiot Brother (2011)