Review of The Joneses (2010) by Melvin W — 02 Aug 2011

Kate Jones:  What was that? .

Steve Jones: Just applying myself. .

"Can you keep up?".

For me, The Joneses was two completely different movies. The first 45 minutes which was cool and original. And the last 45 minutes which was predictable, formulaic and melodramatic. After the first half  of this movie I was totally in love with it. The idea is great and the casting is perfect. You couldn't pick four better people to play a "perfect family." They look the part and they sure act it. But  that initial love I had for the film totally evaporates in the end.

I can't say that I liked the movie, but I can't say I disliked it either. I'm leaning more towards the liked it side though, because I did love the set-up. In the end it turns out to be nothing more then a standard romantic comedy,  which really caught me off guard. The romantic aspect of this film is really badly done. I really didn't even realize that it was happening. The filmmaker gives it like 10 minutes in film and it all seems very rushed. Then there are the kids which also turn out to be two big cliches. And two perfectly casted cliches at that. Amber Heard has to be one of the hottest actress's around. She isn't a great actress, but she isn't horrible either and looks help her performances go down a little easier too.

God, I really wish the film would have went a different route. I thought for sure after the first half I would be giving this movie no less then 4 and a half stars and now after finishing it I'm giving it a soft 3. I still think it was a worth while movie to watch though. It was fun while it lasted I guess.