OUR IDIOT BROTHER (2011)

 Directed By: Jesse Peretz Story By: Jesse Peretz, Evgenia Peretz & David Schisgall Written By: Evgenia Peretz & David Schisgall Cinematography: Yaron Orbach Editor: Jacob Craycroft & Andrew Mondshein

Cast: Paul Rudd, Zooey Deschanel, Adam Scott, Elizabeth Banks, Rashida Jones, Emily Mortimer, Steve Coogan, Kathryn Hahn, T.J. Miller, Shirley Knight, Sterling K. Brown, Hugh Dancy, Polly Draper 

A comedy centered on an idealist who barges into the lives of his three sisters.

This film plays the middle of the road when it comes to its humor. As it never goes far enough and never gets its had dirty enough to truly express any kind of opinion or judgments.

Because if it’s cast it was marketed as this studio Comedy and has the formula of one, but at heart, it is more of an indie comedy with a heart.

The film has characters toyed and the actors fill them and make the characters feel real flaws and all.

It seems like a SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE one-joke premise movie which the title spells out. It starts off that way but creates a full-fledged character going through life and dealing with his family. Who all have their own problems And he exposes them and makes them Actually deal with the problems head-on and they, in turn, blame him for them.

Paul Rudd creates an indelible character. One just wished the film supported him with a better heartfelt story. Anytime the film should go for emotions and drama. It goes more fit gags and really doesn’t get emotional until the end of the film.

Rashida Jones is the only other actor who really stands out in the film. The lesbian character is hilarious and offers up a different look for the actress.

The film is disappointing considering the many lost opportunities it presented. Side characters are dropped very quickly before you even get to know them or realize how they fit into the film.

Some are unnecessary like Steve Coogan who so far has been wasted in most American comedies. Never truly getting a chance to show off his comedic genius that we hear about or critics are always commending him for.

It just feels like this movie was happy where it was. Having fun yet they forget about the audience's enjoyment.

Even watching the outtakes during the credits it shows. It could have been funnier. It also seems this film was More scripted. When maybe more improv would have done the trick.

Grade: C-