Synopsis: A seemingly perfect couple move into a gated community with their children and have the very best of things. The catch is that they are not a family but employees of a marketing organization driven to make everyone want what they do not have already.
Release Date: April 16, 2010 MPAA Rating: PG-13
Genre(s): Comedy,
Film Review
Production
I have to have it! Why? I do not know exactly but I want it. Why? Well, John has one and Lucy is getting one so I have too also. There begets the story of the Joneses’. A make believe family who are paid to get their neighbors, and their neighbors, to want what their company is selling on behalf of the brands we all know so well. While also delving into the idea of manufacturing happiness when even a manufactured family is not perfect. This is a film all about keeping up with the Joneses’ and the ultimate catastrophic results that can occur from the pressure to have what others have, no matter the personal consequence. The film is a simplified look into the aforementioned but in all its simplicity it remains fascinating to watch. It makes you examine just what drives you to purchase the newest gadget, the brand name sunglasses, join the latest diet fad, or rely on your credit card to keep you in the game. For at the end of the day he who dies with the most toys wins. Or does he?
Writing
While the premise of the film is an excellent departure from the normal fare and the execution top-notch, even with the extensive usage of montage, the character development falls below expectations. There is a slight glimmer of who the characters are, when in their real worlds, but none are ever fully developed or given layers to work within long enough for a real connection to the viewer to occur. We know they play make believe for a living and therefore who they actually are is a very distorted notion but below the surface you yearn to know more. To understand why they choose to have a life full of lies instead of a full life of truth and consequences. Had the script spent the smallest amount more time offering additional layers and emotional depth to these borderline interesting characters the film would have been an exceptional character piece not only on society’s want vs. need perspective but also on the way individuals choose to be part of the machine for varying reasons. With so many places to take a story such as this and the multitude of things to explore it is disappointing to see such a one-dimensional display of character development.
Cast and Crew
- Director(s): Derrick BorteKristi Zea
- Producer(s): Derrick BorteRandy T. DinzlerDemi Moore (Kate)
- Screenwriter(s): David Duchovny (Steve)Amber Heard (Jenn)Gary Cole (Larry)
- Story: Lauren Hutton (KC)
- Cast: Janice HamptonYaron OrbachKristi Zea
- Editor(s): Renee Ehrlich Kalfus
- Cinematographer: Nick Urata
- Production Designer(s):
- Costume Designer:
- Casting Director(s):
- Music Score:
- Music Performed By:
- Country Of Origin: USA