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Is it worth $10? Yes
We all have one in our family. You know, the person you’re always “proud of” but really isn’t all there, or just flat out doesn’t get it. For the family at the center of “Our Idiot Brother,” it’s Ned (Paul Rudd). He’s so dumb that in the opening scene he sells marijuana to a uniformed police officer. Later, he counts a wad of money while sitting in a crowded New York City subway car. Better, at one point he drops something and asks someone sitting nearby to hold the cash for him.
So certainly, no one will accuse Ned of being the sharpest knife in the drawer. But – largely because of Rudd’s always-endearing screen presence and innate charm – Ned is also likeable. We’d pat him on the head and tell him things will be okay if we could. When he gets out of jail he goes back to the organic farm he used to work on with his girlfriend Janet (Kathryn Hahn), only to find out she’s moved on with Billy (T.J. Miller). What makes the scene work is the twist: Ned and Billy, both stoner feel-good peace and love hippies, get along quite well. It’s Janet who’s the odious one.
Unfortunately for Ned, she’s not the only troubled woman in his life. Now homeless, Ned spends time with each of his three sisters, all of whom have their own issues: Miranda (Elizabeth Banks) is a struggling writer with mixed feelings for neighbor Jeremy (Adam Scott); Liz (Emily Mortimer) is unhappily married to Dylan (Steve Coogan); and Natalie (Zooey Deschanel) has trouble being faithful to tomboy girlfriend Cindy (Rashida Jones).
Of course, as director Jesse Peretz’s film progresses Ned’s simple ways reveal that he’s not so dumb after all. None of this stops his sisters from unfairly blaming him for their problems, however, which leads to artificial conflict that thankfully never weighs the film down. Besides, the overall message is that not over-complicating things can be the best way to view a situation, even if some problems have complicated answers, so it’d ring false to focus on forced drama.
Most importantly, through all of “Our Idiot Brother” we laugh and root for Ned, a naïve good guy who wants to live simply. And since we could all use a little simplicity in our lives, and because the movie is funny and sweet, it’s worth checking out.
Did you know?
Rudd and Banks play siblings here; in “Role Models” they played a couple.
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Abovemoon
said:
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... I really liked this movie. I loved the hippy arguments and how mello they were. It was funny. And who couldn't predict that Willie Nelson would meet Dolly Parton at the end. It was still so cute though. |
sarahpo
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... I love Paul Rudd and he played this sweet character very well. This movie wasn't as funny as I thought it was going to be, but it was very touching and ended up being a great movie. |
teshat75
said:
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... I totally agree with your assessment of this film. He is definitely a lovable idiot. It was comical how he just didn't get certain things. I love this movie.  |
joshhollywood
said:
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... Our Idiot Brother is a touching-funny movie.with ensamble cast.its worth 10 dollars indeed.Rudd/Banks/Deschannel/Mortimer/,all awesonme actors/actresses  |
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