Title: Our Idiot Brother
Directed by: Jesse Peretz
Starring: Paul Rudd, Elizabeth Banks, Adam Scott, Emily Mortimer, Rashida Jones and Zooey Deschanel
Running time: 90 minutes, Rated R, Available on Blu-ray
Ned (Paul Rudd) is just a happy go lucky guy who is extremely naive and honest to a fault, so much that he unintentionally disrupts the lives of his three self-absorbed sisters. There’s Miranda (Elizabeth Banks) the career-oriented journalist, Liz (Emily Mortimer) the overprotective earthy mother of a sheltered son who is married to a slimy British documentarian (Steve Coogan), and Natalie (Zooey Deschanel) an artistic, yet career directionally challenged bisexual.
There is no question that Paul Rudd was destined to play this role. I’ve never met the guy, but the dialogue and acting just seemed so natural, this film could’ve been a documentary. Casting Rashida Jones as Cindy, the butch lesbian fiance of sexually indecisive Natalie was out of left field, but she was also a great choice. Kathryn Hahn as Ned’s hippie farmer ex-girlfriend Janet was so good at being irritating, I just wanted to punch her out and steal Ned’s dog back for him.
The special features include a commentary by director Jesse Peretz, deleted and extended scenes, a “making of” featurette and during the end credits are outtakes.
I had to watch this film twice in order to see all I missed during the laughter. Among the comedy is a sweet adult family story with many relatable characters.
Total rating: A
Reviewed by: JM Willis
