Review of Step Brothers (2008) by Harry W — 19 Jan 2014

I've seen Step Brothers at least 10 times in my life, and while the first time I saw it I was rather thrown off by the crude and adult themed humour, now I consider it to be one of the single funniest films ever made.

Step Brothers never hits me as being a film with a thin plot or the fact that it's simply a comedy film with age 39 and 40 characters put in roles usually reserved for kids aged 13 and 14 but with a sh*tload of swearing. And while the script is somewhat thin and more reliant on swearing than expected, it doesn't prevent Step Brothers from being a hilarious film.

Step Brothers is too damned hilarious. Since the story is basic, it makes room for focus on the humour, and the large use of physical comedy, hilarious characters and the chemistry between Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly. Both actors give hilarious performances which are equal in energy and hilarity, and the chemistry they share is so strong that it's incredibly believable as brotherly. Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly prove that they are brothers in comedic spirit in Step Brothers, and they are such an impeccably powerful duo that it's never a dull moment when they are around. Their energy just lights up the screen.

Plus, Step Brothers is an incredibly touching story. It explores the complicated life of a family with all kinds of weird relationships and the childish spirit of characters that simply refuse to let go of it. It allows us to re-examine our own lives, what our dreams are and just what we've done for them. It makes us ask ourselves "have we given up?" and "are we still reaching for our dreams?". Step Brothers is a journey of spirit and it's a seriously meaningful family film, even if it is laden with a lot of crude humour. I swear that I almost cried with joy at the end of the film, because all the family joy and spirit of the characters just came flooding in and there really was a sense of magic in the air.

Really, all the strength of the film essentially can be attributed to the atmosphere of the film and the cast, including the lead duo of Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly.

Richard Jenkins gives one of his greatest film performances, and surely his best in a comedy because he manages to strongly alternate between playing a sophisticated family man and an aggressively angry man who has suffered through 10 years of parenting in a week. He has such strong comedic energy and feisty spirit which makes him impeccably perfect for the role.

Mary Steenburgen also maintains the kind of sweet and friendly presence that someone like Marisa Tomei would supply. She shares a great chemistry with all the characters and has a strongly convincing mothering sense to her which makes her great for her part.

Adam Scott was also great as Derek because he captured the perfect cocky and douchebag attitude, and Kathryn Hahn was good as Alice, so much so that it was practically disturbing.

Rob Riggle was also hilarious.

Lastly, from a technical standpoint Step Brothers is a success too.

It's cinematography is great. It takes various artistic and atmospheric angles in scenes, but most of the atmospheric strength comes from the extremely well composed musical score which lightens the film to ensure it's consistent with a comedic theme instead of dissolving into melodramatic territory like it could have had the musical score not touched upon the spirit of Step Brothers so well. It also really well edited and has some good lighting.

So Step Brothers succeeds in every area necessary for a good comedy film and has positive technical qualities too, and it's a front for some of Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly's funniest work.