Review of People Like Us (2012) by Just'manoj H — 24 Sep 2012

Family is the most important thing that any person can have. Without family, what does anyone have? Sam (Chris Pine), his mother (Michelle Pfeiffer), and the sister he never knew he had (Elizabeth Banks) learn this lesson in Dreamworks' new movie, People Like Us.

People Like Us is a powerful and emotional drama. On the surface, it may be just another movie that's based on actual events. But the story presented here is much more real and emotional than audiences may want to believe. Cases such as the story presented here really do happen. The problem is that society has attached a stigma to it. So it tends to be generally swept under the proverbial carpet. People don't want to know about such stories. Keeping in mind just how real People Like Us is, one can't help but feel sorry for Sam's sister, Frankie.

When Sam first revealed to Frankie that they were related, she goes absolutely berserk. Not knowing for so many years would make such a revelation a massive load both emotionally and psychologically. One has to put oneself into Frankie's shoes to really appreciate her reaction. She was looking at the situation from the vantage point of having had an emotional connection to Sam before discovering he was her long lost brother. Here was this single mother who had no clue who the father of her child was. The shock of having her hopes dashed is entirely understandable here. Of course, she does come around by the movie's end. The full ending won't be given away for the sake of those who haven't yet had the opportunity to see the story. Though audiences are encouraged to see it for themselves to find out how it all ends.

The emotional drama between Sam and Frankie is just part of what will keep audiences watching throughout the movie's near two-hour run time. Sam's relationship with his mother Lillian (played expertly by veteran actress Michelle Pfeiffer) gets tied into the story. The secret that Lillian keeps plays directly into Sam's relationship with Frankie. At the same time, it's that same secret that eventually brings Sam and his mother closer by the story's end. It would be wrong to say that the end of People Like Us is happy. Rather, it's better described as bittersweet. But ironically, enough, it will leave audiences feeling fulfilled after the emotional journey on which they embarked at the story's beginning.

When it was originally released earlier this year in theaters, People Like Us was released among a glut of Summer blockbusters. Because of that, it was easily lost in that sea that is the silver screen. But it will be released next Tuesday, October 2nd on DVD and Blu-ray. As surprisingly deep and emotional as it is, hopefully it won't be lost in the sea of new home releases as it is definitely worth the watch.