★★★
Rawson Marshall Thurber, best known for "Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story," has struck gold again with 2013's "We're the Millers." At times the movie seems a throwback to the National Lampoon's adventures of the 1980's. There's plenty of tongue-in-cheek humor to keep the majority of the audience laughing tirelessly throughout the entire movie. Sure, there are a few down points that make you roll yours eyes, but the movie picks up quickly and you hardly even realize the 110 minutes have flown by...then the blooper reels start to flash. DEFINITELY stay through the bloopers as it ends with the BEST scene that should have remained in the film [in my humble opinion].
David Clark (SNL Alum Jason Sudeikis) is a happy-go-lucky, small-time drug dealer with no cares or major responsibilities. He inadvertently helps his awkward, teenage neighbor, Ken Rossmore (Will Poulter) stop a homeless girl, Kasey Mathis (Emma Roberts), from getting mugged. In the process--HE gets mugged, looses his sales money and has to pay the ultimate price for his spontaneous "good guy" moment--become a drug smuggler for his boss, Brad Gurdlinger (Ed Helms) or be killed.
In order to pull this drug smuggling venture off (drug smuggling IS different from drug dealing), David realizes that he needs the perfect cover--and is struck by the revelation that he needs to have a family traveling in an RV. He enlists the help of Ken and Kasey easily; however, a guy with 2 kids looks rather weird and "perverted." David needs a wife--so he asks another of his neighbors, the stripper, Rose (Jennifer Aniston). Initially, she rebuffs his offer, but once her boss decides to "up the ante" of what is offered at work, she has an immediate change of heart for David's offer. Thus the shenanigans begin...with a multitude of SNL type interplay and plenty of sexual innuendo to keep everyone laughing til tears begin to fall.
The screenplay by Bob Fisher and Steve Faber, the creative team behind the 2005 mega-hit, Wedding Crashers, have another gem on their hands. They have definitely written the screenplay with their actors' personalities and strengths in mind.
Even so, Aniston is far and away the STAR of this film--providing not only the glue that keeps the plot together, but is by far the most believable presence on screen. Her lines are delivered effortlessly allowing everyone else to quickly fall into sync and showcase their own personalities without having to attempt to overact. I think that she has shown the best evolution as an actress over the past decade. If this film is any indication of things to come, watch out Meryl Streep.
This film also introduces everyone to the comedic genius of English-born actor Will Poulter (Voyage of Dawn Treader). While Aniston clearly runs away with the commanding presence of the film, Will has some of the best comedic moments and is clearly not afraid to sacrifice his body for the easy laugh. Emma Roberts (Nancy Drew) provides a solid counterpoint of cynicism to his awkward, but hilarious moments on screen.
Having gone into this movie fully expecting all of the funny moments to have been included in the trailer, I have to say that my wife and I laughed continuously the entire film. It was easily one of the funniest films I have seen this year. If you are a big fan of Saturday Night Live (c) or Chelsea Lately (c), you should easily love this film.
In order to pull this drug smuggling venture off (drug smuggling IS different from drug dealing), David realizes that he needs the perfect cover--and is struck by the revelation that he needs to have a family traveling in an RV. He enlists the help of Ken and Kasey easily; however, a guy with 2 kids looks rather weird and "perverted." David needs a wife--so he asks another of his neighbors, the stripper, Rose (Jennifer Aniston). Initially, she rebuffs his offer, but once her boss decides to "up the ante" of what is offered at work, she has an immediate change of heart for David's offer. Thus the shenanigans begin...with a multitude of SNL type interplay and plenty of sexual innuendo to keep everyone laughing til tears begin to fall.
The screenplay by Bob Fisher and Steve Faber, the creative team behind the 2005 mega-hit, Wedding Crashers, have another gem on their hands. They have definitely written the screenplay with their actors' personalities and strengths in mind.
This film also introduces everyone to the comedic genius of English-born actor Will Poulter (Voyage of Dawn Treader). While Aniston clearly runs away with the commanding presence of the film, Will has some of the best comedic moments and is clearly not afraid to sacrifice his body for the easy laugh. Emma Roberts (Nancy Drew) provides a solid counterpoint of cynicism to his awkward, but hilarious moments on screen.
Having gone into this movie fully expecting all of the funny moments to have been included in the trailer, I have to say that my wife and I laughed continuously the entire film. It was easily one of the funniest films I have seen this year. If you are a big fan of Saturday Night Live (c) or Chelsea Lately (c), you should easily love this film.
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