Director Jesse Peretz enters mainstream Hollywood with a story penned jointly by himself and his sister Evgenia, and is handed a stellar cast of top talent to work with, resulting in the 2011 comedy/drama “Our Idiot Brother.” While predictable, the film is a comical and heartfelt tale, and an enjoyable watch.
Ned Rochlin (Paul Rudd) is a naïve and free-spirited jamoke who is untethered by the typical constraints of society. Ned goes about his business in a cavalier way, inadvertently bestowing worldly advice onto those he encounters. Ned is a hippy slacker who has the demeanor and innocence of a child, wanting nothing for himself other than the bare essentials to get by. A mishap lands Ned back at home with his three polar opposite sisters; Miranda (Elizabeth Banks) a workaholic writer, Natalie (Zooey Deschanel) a bi-sexual bohemian, and Liz (Emily Mortimer) a wife in a loveless marriage and mother to a young son named River.
Paul Rudd and Elizabeth Banks in “Our Idiot Brother”
“Our Idiot Brother” is almost a perfect movie in its story and delivery. Paul Rudd is known for his multitude of comedies, the likes of which include “200 Cigarettes,” “The 40-year-old virgin,” “Knocked up,” and “Forgetting Sarah Marshall,” to barely scratch the surface. The often-nominated actor is well deserved of an award and roles perfectly with the punches of the slacker Ned.
Ned loves everyone he encounters and wants to help everyone ahead of helping himself. As his sister’s lives are consumed by possessions and status, one can’t help but side with Ned, whose only real concern is getting his dog back from an ex-girlfriend (Kathryn Hahn) and her new flame (TJ Miller).
Zooey, Emily, and Elizabeth – the Idiot’s sisters
Not to be outdone, the sisters are handled great by the actresses that portray them. Elizabeth Banks carries the role of the uptight Miranda with flawless ease. Banks has a career that blends comedies with dramatic roles and her flawless beauty puts her in unique standing. Zooey Deschanel has a one-of-a-kind quirkiness that she brings to every role she plays and can have you laughing and drooling at the same time (for a great treat try checking out her sitcom “New Girl” on Fox). Emily Mortimer (“Lars and the Real Girl“) is the sophisticated elder sister with marital problems and possesses the perfect blend of timid nature to a character seemingly trapped by her situation. Adam Scott, Rashida Jones, and Steve Coogan add depth to the cast.
The film has a family/sibling connection and that is was created by a real life brother and sister team exposes its high quality production. Funny and sentimental, “Our Idiot Brother” is predictable but humorous and somewhat moving on an even deeper level. Some scenes will have you laughing while others may bring a tear to your eyes.
