Our Idiot Brother

This movie was everything I had hoped it would be. It definitely lived up to the TV spots. It gave much more than that though. This is the greatest on screen Ned since Ned Ryerson. Ned (Paul Rudd in his best role since Brian "The Octogon" Fantana.) is a slacker and that is saying it nicely. The trailer kinda made it look like he was nothing but a pothead. Not the case. He is more of a hippie, organic farmer who's outlook on life will make anyone and everyone wish they could be as positive as Ned. He takes everything in stride, he doesn't think too hard on situations, and he always gives people the benefit of the doubt. The opening scene where he gets busted selling weed to a uniformed officer in broad daylight really sets it up for greatness. After his 8 month stint in the can, he is released early for being the most congenial inmate 4 months in a row. This is where we meet his family, and though he is made out to be the problem child, his sister's all have their own flaws, but they don't see it that way. The film follows Ned as he bounces around from one sister's place to the next until eventually they all kick him out for ruining their lives. Miranda (Banks) is a workaholic waiting for her big break as a journalist. Her best friend is also her neighbor. Jeremy (Adam Scott) is at her beck and call, but he even gets tired of her bossiness. Then there is Nat (Deschanel). She is currently a lesbian in a relationship with Cindy (Jones). She seems bored, but doesn't want to deal with her life. Lastly there is Liz (Mortimer). She is the married one with the kid, who isn't happy with her marriage, but won't let anyone else know that. Ned seems to be his sister's scapegoat from their own lives. As long as he is around, he will screw up enough stuff, it really takes the focus off all of them. Usually negative focus. The dialog is so brilliant, and Ned just blows along in the breeze wherever it takes him. I envy him. The funny thing is he knows he is stupid, but he doesn't care. The only things he cares about is never failing his friends, family, and his BFF Willie Nelson - His golden retriever. He is genuinely a nice guy. Not fake, and though his sisters don't get it, everyone he meets tends to love him. They write it off as they just don't know him like they do. This is probably the most "indie" film I have seen in a theater. The only thing that deters it from that moniker is the star studded cast. I am glad I contributed $16 to this film that probably won't gross 6 million in it's opening weekend. By no means is it "Big Screen Movie". It is low budget and dialog driven. The jokes are buried more so than most of the outrageous comedies we see these days, where everything is out in front. I may have to buy it, so to pass it around to my friends and family. It goes from light hearted to dark and back again. It does make you wanna be Ned, but not really. If I could live that way for 1 week a year, that would be sufficient for me. Paul Rudd is brilliant as always, and the guy who plays Billy (TJ Miller) could have had more screen time, but you will understand why he doesn't. Our Idiot Brother will make you laugh, and feel extremely sorry for all the people involved all at the same time.

NBM rates Our Idiot Brother - Phenomenal