[xrr rating=4.75/5]
I’ve found the second movie of the year worthy of constant belly laughter. The first movie this year that made me grab at my gut was “This Is The End”, starring Seth Rogan and James Franco.
And now I have another.
“We’re The Miller’s” is that film that’ll have you constantly grabbing at your blubber. It’s that funny of a film.
I didn’t really know what to expect from this movie before I went in. I hadn’t heard too much about it. I had only seen a few previews for it in recent weeks, and, well, Ironman wasn’t in it, so it hadn’t really marinated in my brain too much. But of course, it’s a movie, so I was definitely going to see it.
And gosh-dang, am I glad I did!
“We’re The Miller’s” is a fictional story (I’m assuming) about a small time drug dealer from Denver, named David (Jason Sudeikis) who gets robbed of his weed and money, so he has to become a drug mule for his big-time pot boss. He has to travel to Mexico and bring back a smidge of weed (about a ton) or else he will be exterminated. David doesn’t want to be exterminated, so he makes a plan to create a fake family and bring all that “killa-skunk” back over the border in an RV. He wants to make the border patrol think that they’re one big, happy vacationing family.
Now it’s time to hire the family.
First, David hires his fake son. He’s a young, naive boy who lives in his apartment building named Kenny (Will Poulter). Kenny is a good kid, but oblivious to everything around him… And he is a virgin.
Next, David hires a daughter. He hires a homeless girl named Casey (Emma Roberts). Casey is a tough chick from the streets, who dresses like Eminem from “8 Mile” and has been around the block.
David has his children. Now he just needs the old ball-n-chain. David asks a lady who also lives in his building named Rose (Jennifer Aniston) if she would be his fake wife. Rose says no at first, but after quitting her job as a stripper, she realizes that this is the best oppurtunity to make some quick loot.
Let’s go get some drugs!
And that’s exactly what they do. While down in Mexico, picking up the drugs is easy… almost too easy. But the hard part will be getting them across the border and back to Denver, where his local drug boss is.
Now, the reason getting the drugs was so easy was because the drugs were given to the wrong person. David wasn’t supposed to be picking up this weed, some other nerdy looking guy was supposed to. So basically, David has stolen drugs in his possession and the Mexican drug cartel is after him and his family. You see where I’m going with this? This is why the story gets so funny. This fake family has to steer clear of criminals, cops, and any other potential threats that may arise.
And that’s where the story goes. Much of the hilarity comes from their journey back through the states. And it comes from running into other interesting fellow RV’ers that just want to hang out with them, and maybe get freaky. And it also comes from the chase between them and the Mexican drug cartel. You see, there are plenty of ways this story can go, and it goes every which way, with each scene being funnier than the one before.
You know what time it is? It’s time to ‘Mattify’ this movie review.
I totally loved this film. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. It was gut busting R-Rated laughter. I caught the sneak preview the night before it opened and the theatre was packed. It’s great to see a film in a packed theatre., because you can gauge how the film is by other peoples reactions to it. This received steady, constant laughter throughout the entire movie. People were LOL’ing the whole time. I could tell that the audience was way into it.
Sorry to get off topic for a second, but I never use the acronym “LOL”… ever. I just used it in that last paragraph because it sounded nice-n-goofy. Personally, I’d like to tell you my thoughts on “LOL”. I think it is used way too much in society. I mean, if you’re a girl, I guess its ok to use it in the right situation. Example: “I was playing tennis with my father-in-law and my racket slipped out of my hand and hit him in the gonads. lol!” See, that’s funny. But don’t use it in the wrong situations. (which people ALWAYS do) Example: “My father-in-law had a major stroke over the weekend. Lol.” Do you understand? This is NOT an “lol” situation, so don’t use it there! And another thing, don’t take a picture of your breakfast and then Facebook it, saying “I’m having bacon and eggs for breakfast. Lol!” First, why are you “laughing out loud” at that? Why is that so funny? And second, I don’t care what the hell you’re having for breakfast! So STFU.
And lastly about “LOL”: Men, DON’T EVER USE IT. It sounds way too fruity coming from a guy. Just go with “Hahaha”. Whenever one of my guy friends texts me “lol”, I just say to myself , “you loser”.
Jason Sudeikis did quite well carrying this film on his shoulders. He hasn’t been the ‘straight up’ lead in too many films, but he held his own quite well with this. (I loved him in “Hall Pass”) When he is unshaven and wearing grungy clothes, he looks pretty cool. He’s a handsome man, and I don’t mind saying it. I can see (at least from the physical side) how he scored with Olivia Wilde. (Yes, they are engaged in real life) But that girl is SO hot. I would’ve never put them two together. You give me hope, Mr. Sudeikis.
Emma Roberts. (Daughter of Eric Roberts and niece of Julia Roberts) Acting flows through her bloodline… and it shows. Although it took me about 15 minutes or so to warm up to her, she came on strong with a great performance. I don’t know why at the beginning of the film I couldn’t connect with her character, but like I said, she grew on me, and I dug her role as the film moved along.
Jennifer Aniston was splendid in this film. I’ve never been hush-hush about this, I’ve let it be known that I am not a huge fan of hers. I think its because many of her roles seem to be too similar. (see: “The Bounty Hunter”, “He’s Just Not That Into You”, “Office Space”, “Marley and Me”, “Along Came Polly”) I know she’s a great actress, I can see that. It’s just that I see a lot of the same exact mannerisms in many of the roles she takes. But believe me, there’s nothing wrong with her, it’s something that’s wrong with me. I notice mundane stuff, and that’s my problem. Anyhoo, She is dynamite in this film. She brings strength and motherly qualities to her character, and it works well. Plus, what a delicious stripper body she has in this film.
And last, but certainly not least, the son. Will Poulter. Oh my God, where has this kid been all my life? This boy was hilarious! You can always tell when someone is a great actor, because you can’t tell that he is acting. Poulter pulls this off flawlessly. There are scenes in this film where he has to play the lost, innocent kid, and WOW! He has you convinced that HE is that character. Poulter brings a quiet charm to his role too. He’s just a young boy, trying to help out whenever he can, no matter what’s in it for him. In one scene, he has to get his first kiss. He gets it from both his mother AND his sister. It is such a funny scene and he makes it even funnier just by his facial expressions. It also makes me think that “Why did I go into landscaping instead of acting?” This kid was making-out with two babes…. and getting paid for it, while I’m raking leaves! My life sucks. Hahaha! (not LOL).
I think Will Poulter was the straw that stirred the drink in this mouthwatering concoction of a film. Seriously, if you’re thirsty for laughter, there’s no better libation than “We’re The Miller’s”.
Sorry, but I got to cut this review short. I’m totally jonesing for a black-n-white frappe and a steak fajita burrito, so I’m going to go get one of each.
(Jeez, that’s a weird craving. I hope I’m not pregnant.)
Matty W. Kelley, ‘A Seat Apart Productions’, reporting.
Fun Fact: Jason Sudeikis is the nephew of George Wendt, the actor who played “NORM!” on a little, tiny sitcom called “Cheers”.
Fun Matty Fact: Up until “Seinfeld” really started to take off, “Cheers” was my favorite TV show ever. It was “must see TV” for me. The writing was incredible for all the characters. And it was incredibly funny. If “Cheers” and “Seinfeld” were the only two shows to ever play on TV for the rest of eternity, I would be fine with this.