Review of The Joneses (2010) by Heather C — 14 May 2011

Bravo...almost. Often times, a great concept is wasted in Hollywood. Not sure that is the case here as this film far exceeded my expectations and became really a smart take on life and the very behavior that gets a lot of people into a lot of trouble.

First, the girls. I often vote Amber Heard as the most attractive person to ever walk the planet. Probably I'm wrong given the nature of the claim, but that I can make a reasonable case is telling. Just found out she is a lesbian and that really hurts. First they took Chely Wright, now Amber Heard?

Great concept: a "family" is basically a living advertisement and hit s community with the intent of boosting sales on certain items. This could only happen in rich America but that's whatever. What do you think those Lexus and diamond ads are all about at Christmas and Valentine's time? Buy that perfect product for the perfect mate and you can be the perfect couple. This movie really nailed that concept and took it to another level. The cost to those who get involved is quite high.

Mr. Jones (Duchovny) seems like an all right guy with a conscience. It's Duchovny! How much can you really dislike him? Mrs. Jones on the other hand...I hated that character so much that I actually started hating Demi Moore...and her kids. She is such a disgrace to humanity that I don't actually think a Mr. Jones type could fall for her. She's cold fish and that she puts business in front of absolutely everything makes her a very, very pathetic character. But not unlike many living amongst us. The kids are fine. The son is pretty good and likeable, and well, Heard is just so goddamn gorgeous she cannot go unloved.

A seemingly small scene is very important to me. On a "day off" Duchovny asks if anyone wants to go to a movie...for fun. It's as if they've never heard of this. Movies have changed my life so much for the better. I may never have money, etc etc, but I will always feel connected to people because of movies (and other art). It is very problematic to me when a society cannot appreciate art, especially something as simple as a movie. And summer blockbusters are not movies but ways the studios make big bucks with empty story, so those don't really count. These people had all the nice things and those things became them. Maybe without them, they'd be nice people. With the nice things, they are merely tokens wearing nice things. Tsk tsk.

Finally, how vain are these people? They are characters, but we all know people like them: people who really try to compete with neighbors/friends, etc via material goods. I do it myself to some extent (but I like to think my nice things are also practical and never purely decorative). But it's just hard to imagine anyone giving a shit about any of that stuff. I've never been in awe of someone's jewelry or clothes. Maybe a car or tv because there is a practical use for those. As I said, those people are the targets for those ads we see so often around the holidays. Buy the perfect product and it's a step toward the perfect life. Whatever. This movie is far from perfect but also far better than it's probably given credit for. The ending is for shit but what a nice trip to get there.