Here's a movie that nearly slipped under my radar. It came to theaters and disappeared pretty quietly, without much fuss in the form of marketing or critical appeal. I'm hesitant to call the movie forgettable because that implies that there is nothing in this movie good enough in this movie to remain with you after the credits roll, but I honestly forgot most of the movie in the short time since I'd first watched it on home video. If I had to describe this movie to someone, I guess the first thing that comes to mind is "heart-warming". I hate to use that phrase because it feels so clichéd but it best describes the feeling it leaves you with by the end. Paul Rudd is Ned Rochlin, a modern hippie and total idealist who sees nothing but the best in everyone he meets. He is nearly incapable of believing that someone would intentionally wrong another person. His own naivety leads to jail time when he sells weed to a cop (in uniform, no less). When he's released, he needs a place to crash while he gets his life in order and he bounces between each of his three sisters (a dejected housewife, an ambitious journalist, and a bisexual hipster), going on to throw a monkey wrench into each of their lives with his personal brand of honest living. Ned only wants what's best for everyone but finds himself ruining his sisters' lives when his idealism fails to mesh with their reality.
No one plays as endearing an idiot as Paul Rudd. Honestly, he never really comes off as an idiot, in spite of his oblivious nature. He feels so genuine and honest and he's hard not to love here. The same can be said for T.J. Miller who has a supporting role as Billy, the new boyfriend for Ned's ex-girlfriend. Miller and Rudd are an awesome duo in this movie and I wish they'd gotten more screen-time together. On the opposite end of the spectrum is, well, pretty much every woman in the movie (with the exception of Ned's alcoholic mother Ilene). Not to sound misogynistic or anything, but there really isn't a likable woman in the whole movie. I know it wasn't the intention of the writers or the director; it's just that the movie requires Ned to wander into his sisters' lives and help them face their glaring problems. Ned's not responsible for any of the problems that arise while he's visiting with his sisters, but he is the reason why they're eventually forced to confront them. As each sister gradually turns against poor Ned, you can't help but feel bad for the poor guy and begin to loath his self-obsessed sisters. Ned's sisters are played by Emily Mortimer, Elizabeth Banks, and Zooey Deschanel, which makes it all the more difficult to speak so harshly about a cast that's so freaking hot in a "Hollywood's sweethearts" sort of way. The most evil force in this film would be Ned's ex-girlfriend Janet, who's extreme passive-aggression proves that even a hippie woman is not to be messed with.
I love that the movie doesn't pull any punches and embraces it's R-rating, but I can't help but believe it's a shame that it didn't try to aim for a PG-13. There is nothing in the movie that necessitated the harsher language or the handful of nudity. It adds to the humor a bit in the final act with Ned's eventual breakdown under the pressure and the message he delivers to his family via his young nephew. Still, it would've broaden the audience and might've possibly allowed for slightly profit. The movie is more endearing than raunchy and cutting back on the harder elements might've, for once, been a good idea. This is a feel-good movie above all else. Ned is a man that can't help but make you smile and the film's ending is handled perfectly. Everyone is redeemed for their actions in such a way that it doesn't feel forced and everyone ends up in a better place. If you've seen the trailers for the movie, you may have been led to believe this is a more slapstick, raunchy comedy in the vain of your average Apatow-esque comedy. It's 100% not, so you might want to look elsewhere if that's what you're itching for. It's a pleasant movie with some strong chuckles and, though it might be a bit forgettable, it just means the laughs will be that much fresher when I rewatch it later on.
No one plays as endearing an idiot as Paul Rudd. Honestly, he never really comes off as an idiot, in spite of his oblivious nature. He feels so genuine and honest and he's hard not to love here. The same can be said for T.J. Miller who has a supporting role as Billy, the new boyfriend for Ned's ex-girlfriend. Miller and Rudd are an awesome duo in this movie and I wish they'd gotten more screen-time together. On the opposite end of the spectrum is, well, pretty much every woman in the movie (with the exception of Ned's alcoholic mother Ilene). Not to sound misogynistic or anything, but there really isn't a likable woman in the whole movie. I know it wasn't the intention of the writers or the director; it's just that the movie requires Ned to wander into his sisters' lives and help them face their glaring problems. Ned's not responsible for any of the problems that arise while he's visiting with his sisters, but he is the reason why they're eventually forced to confront them. As each sister gradually turns against poor Ned, you can't help but feel bad for the poor guy and begin to loath his self-obsessed sisters. Ned's sisters are played by Emily Mortimer, Elizabeth Banks, and Zooey Deschanel, which makes it all the more difficult to speak so harshly about a cast that's so freaking hot in a "Hollywood's sweethearts" sort of way. The most evil force in this film would be Ned's ex-girlfriend Janet, who's extreme passive-aggression proves that even a hippie woman is not to be messed with.
I love that the movie doesn't pull any punches and embraces it's R-rating, but I can't help but believe it's a shame that it didn't try to aim for a PG-13. There is nothing in the movie that necessitated the harsher language or the handful of nudity. It adds to the humor a bit in the final act with Ned's eventual breakdown under the pressure and the message he delivers to his family via his young nephew. Still, it would've broaden the audience and might've possibly allowed for slightly profit. The movie is more endearing than raunchy and cutting back on the harder elements might've, for once, been a good idea. This is a feel-good movie above all else. Ned is a man that can't help but make you smile and the film's ending is handled perfectly. Everyone is redeemed for their actions in such a way that it doesn't feel forced and everyone ends up in a better place. If you've seen the trailers for the movie, you may have been led to believe this is a more slapstick, raunchy comedy in the vain of your average Apatow-esque comedy. It's 100% not, so you might want to look elsewhere if that's what you're itching for. It's a pleasant movie with some strong chuckles and, though it might be a bit forgettable, it just means the laughs will be that much fresher when I rewatch it later on.