We’re the Millers (d. Rawson Marshall Thurber USA 2013)
We’re the Millers (d. Rawson Marshall Thurber USA 2013)
Please read ‘On Reviews‘ for a guide to how I write film reviews.
Round two of taking a chance. This review, as well as my last, takes pride in seeing a film by chance. Prior to watching the film, I have not known anything about the films. No posters, trailers and I don’t know who’s made it or who’s in it. It starts like a guessing game. I admit I didn’t get much from the title. Quickly, I realised this was a comedy. A situational comedy about characters who are quite different from one another. Fairly generic, but sometimes this can work.
The situations that come across from such extremely different and clashing personalities, as well as their chance happenings, prove to work. The element of chance allows for comically random occurrences – much to the films strength. Some elements, though predictable, do not loose their comedy value. Whilst other elements of the narrative are complete surprises that you would not have thought the film to take. Again, this works for the films strength. The situations are unexpected and will take you far down the rabbit hole. It is these unexpected laughs that can really get you. This film truly shows the value of being predictable and unpredictable at the same time, a surprise can really achieve a laugh whilst the predictable keeps the spectator in familiar territory to be comfortable – all the more significant for the unpredictable moments.
We’re the Millers is a film that does rely heavily upon its principle cast. Being able to work with their stereotypes to deliver comedy situations. But also to be efficient with their lines in order to deliver one-liners and effective banter. The chemistry between Jennifer Anniston (Rose O’Reilly) and Jason Sudeikis (David Clark) works well to the latter whilst the performances, as well as casting of Will Poulter (Kenny Rossmore) and Emma Roberts (Casey Mathis) works well to the former. The stereotyping of Will Poulter and Emma Roberts plays well into the narrative of the film. For example, when someone can look like a stereotypical square, a lot of humour can be had from throwing them into extreme situations against their stereotype – though this can be predictable. We’re the Millers actually runs the risk of keeping far too much to generic and often used stereotypes and typical situations, though the film somehow keeps them relatively fresh.
In conclusion this would be a win for chance. Without any expectations the film was free to surprise me with its type of humour, again and again. The film was very entertaining and quite comical at times. Despite its use of typical characters and situations, it does not harm the film. I’d recommend this film, ‘No Ragrets'(sic).
Further Reading
Jennifer Aniston Official Site
Interview with Jennifer Aniston and Jason Sudeikis
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