Review of People Like Us (2012) by Will C — 01 Jul 2012

People Like Us.

Going into People Like Us, I had a mixed expectations. I really liked the cast of this movie, but the trailers didn't really overly impress me even though I definitely saw a lot of potential. However, after seeing some of the reviews it was receiving I started to really want to see it, but I still wasn't expecting too much. And, thank god i'am here to report that I definitely went into this movie with the right expectations because this movie actually really surprised me.

People Like Us stars, Chris Pine (Start Trek reboot, Unstoppable), Elizabeth Banks (Man on a Ledge, The Hunger Games), Michelle Pfeiffer (Batman Returns, Dark Shadows), Olivia Wilde (Cowboys and Aliens, Tron Legacy) , Phillip Baker Hall (Zodiac, Rush Hour), Jon Favreau (Iron Man, I Love You Man) and young newcomer, Michael Hall D'Addario. The film is directed and written by Alex Kurtzman as well as co-written by Roberto Orci and Jody Lambert. The film is also inspired by true events.

People Like Us centers around, Sam (Chris Pine) who is a struggling businessman and is dating a hot chick, Hannah (Olivia Wilde). He soon receives a phone call that leads him and Hannah to fly back to his home town in, L.A. for his estranged record prouder father funeral, and see his mom, Lillian (Michelle Pfeiffer). While there, he meets up with his father's lawyer (Phillip Baker Hall) who shows him, $150,000 in cash that his father left him to deliver to his 30 year-old-alcoholic sister, Frankie (Elizabeth Banks), whom he never knew existed, and her 11 year-old troubled son, Josh (Michael Hall D'Addario). From there on, he stars a bond with the two of them, but struggles to their Frankie who he is and to give her the money due to his own financial problems and that he never really had a good relationship with his father.

Now the reason why People Like Us works so well is because of the great performances in the movie. Without this great cast the movie probably wouldn't have worked. Chris Pine finally gets away from playing that typical cocky guy he is usually always plays, and delivers quite possibly his best performance and definitely his most emotional one. I mean yeah he does start off as not one of the most likeable guys, but throughout the movie he really starts to change and you really start to root for him. Michelle Pfeiffer delivers definitely her best performance in years and that woman still looks really great at her age. There are also some really strong dramatic scenes between Michelle and Chris. Elizabeth Banks is also really great here as the sister especially in the emotional scenes. And she looks as hot as ever in this movie, but anyway back to the review. She's also probably one of the few characters that is likeable from the start. Olivia Wilde dosen't have a big role in this movie, but when she is on screen she actually does a really good job and proves that she's definitely more than just a pretty face. And she's looking hot like always. But the performance that actually really surprised me was Michael Hall D'Addario as Bank's troubled son, Josh. He's a real smartass kid, but at the same time manages to be really likeable and he delivers some really great lines perfectly. And the rest of the cast is fine as well.

People Like Us is definitely one of those movies that many people won't see, but in my opinion they really should see it because there are some really strong dramatic scenes in this movie. I really liked all of the characters in this movie. They all just felt really well and even a bit easy to relate to. Chris Pine has really great chemistry with both Elizabeth Banks and Michelle Pfeiffer especially Banks. You can tell he's really struggling to tell this woman (Elizabeth Banks) that he's his sister and even though you'll likely be yelling at him at times, you will likely start to really feel for him. Chris also has some really good chemistry with the kid and Olivia Wilde. The movie was perfectly cast and they all work really well together. And the drama in this movie without feeling too melodramatic like quite a few dramas these days (*cough* Nicholas Sparks adaptions) is just really believable and actually never boring. And another really good thing about this movie is that it really balances drama and comedy really well. They're some really funny parts in this movie. And it's great to see a movie during the summer that isn't all about explosions and fighting, but about real people which is another reason why I really recommend People Like Us. I really liked and cared about the characters in this movie.

Now of course this movie definitely does have some problems. Like you can probably tell from the trailers, it definitely falls into some cliches especially towards the end that you've seen in a lot of other movies, but luckily the rest of the movie is handle really well. And I try not to be picky about cliches in movies that are supposedly true stories. Also, it's a little hard to believe that this guy would take so long to tell this woman the truth if it was really life, but if you're like me you just kind of go along with it all. And, while I was never bored with this movie it does drag a little towards the end.

But, overall People Like Us is a great and really feel good drama filled with great performances, characters and a strong script. It's definitely one of those movies you should go in with not too high expectations because you'll probably end up really enjoying this movie. Definitely recommend you check it out if you haven't yet because I think it deserves a audience. I mean we get so many mediocre dramas these days that do so much better than the ones that are actually good, and i'm sure you know which ones i'am referring to. It's a strong film and I give it a strong 4/5 stars. I think I just might buy this movie on blu-ray when it comes out.

Final Rating Grade: B+.

Don't get too confused because I gave this the same ratings as Abraham Lincoln and Brave, definitely enjoyed this more. Might have even enjoyed this just as much as Ted, but for different reasons. I should have a review for The Amazing Spider-Man by Wednesday. I was gonna go to the midnight showing, but sadly I haven't been feeling very well lately so I most likely won't be going.