Jason Sudeikis’ David – a two-bit drug dealer and Jennifer Aniston’s Rose – a cash-poor stripper, try to make hay, or something of the sort, in “We’re the Millers.”
Unable to make good on his debt to loan shark Brad Gurdlinger (played by Ed Helms), David (Jason Sudeikis) agrees to go to Mexico and smuggler across the border a smidge or a smidge and a half of pot to settle his debt. Somehow he comes up with the bright idea to use his family as cover to smuggle the pot across the border in an RV – because border guards won’t be suspicious of a family returning from vacation.
‘We’re the Millers’ (two and a half sweet potatoes out of four) Stars: Jason Sudeikis, Jennifer Aniston, Nick Offerman, Emma Roberts, Ed Helms, Will Poulter; Director: Rawson Marshall Thurber; Genre: comedy, crime Rated R; Runtime: 110 minutes; opens Friday, August 9, 2013.
There’s one problem with his plan: David doesn’t have a family.
To address this he enlists Rose (Jennifer Aniston) who is reluctant at first, but when the strip club owner’s new business model is for the strippers to have sex with the patrons, she decides to take her chances drug-running.
To round out the Millers there is the street-wise, runaway Casey Mathis (played by Emma Roberts) as the daughter, and David’s inexperienced neighbor Kenny Rossmore (played by young British actor Will Poulter). Kenny’s mother left him home alone for a week, so he gets to play the son. The Millers largely dwell in the same apartment complex on Miller St., but they are detached in their own lives which don’t seem to be going anywhere.
Their little adventure to Mexico leads to some moments of real consideration and bonding among the group. Now, despite the inherent danger that would accompany such a task, it is clear that this endeavor plays well on the psyche of this group of loners and misfits.
Along the way, the Millers cross paths with a family of RV enthusiast Don, Edie, and Melissa Fitzgerald’s, (played by Nick Offerman, Kathryn Hahn, and Molly C. Quinn respectively). Their involvement and the parents’ tricky love life are welcomed. Add to this the requisite obstacles like the RV braking down, and being chased by a crossed drug dealer and the film is able to avoid bogging down.
There is not much profundity here, nor is that intended. ‘We’re the Millers’ is a funny and entertaining movie with more than enough laughs to keep you from getting distracted by the absurdity of the plot. It’s like a better crafted episode of ‘Family Guy’.
Sudeikis is a talented guy and he is at home here. You get the impression he has much more range than what is required here. I also think this was a wise and brave choice for Aniston who, at this point of her career, certainly doesn’t have to be walking around film sets in her underwear.
“We’re the Millers” smuggles across the border two and a half sweet potatoes out of four. This has been your resident moviegoer and I will see you after the movies at moviegoersview.com.
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