I am writing the following review about two months belatedly, but since this movie is coming out on Blu-Ray and DVD this week, I thought I would put some brief thoughts about it because I think it is worth a rent!
I would argue that the biggest idiot in "Our Idiot Brother" isn't the brother at all. It's actually the brother's sisters who are the real idiots. Paul Rudd plays the very likeable character Ned who toes the line of nice and foolish perfectly wearing a huge smile the whole time. He is constantly taken advantage of but would never do the same to someone. He won't lie to anyone and will always give you 100% of his honest answer; he is just not quite bright enough to know when it is going to get him or someone else into trouble. He has no sense of money or personal responsibility and that bothers his pretentious, neurotic sisters and family.
I really liked him, and the movie.
This character wouldn't be as likeable if it weren't played by Paul Rudd in such loveable and affable style. The audience can't help but root for him through it all. It has a nice supporting cast. Ned's sisters are Liz (Emily Mortimer), a mother and wife living lazily in denial and married to a sleazy filmmaker (Steve Coogan); Miranda (Elizabeth Banks), in a familiar sassy, young business woman role , and beautiful, trendy, Natalie (Zooey Deschanel), who also is in a familiar role but in this case may be a lesbian in love with Cindy (Rashida Jones). Everyone does a good enough job at the role they are given for this comedy with heart.
The plot is basic and deals with the battle of Ned fitting in with his often uptight family. We learn a little bit into everyone's problems and that gives the story its depth. There are many laugh out loud lines that keep the movie very lighthearted throughout and everything finishes pretty nicely tied up and happy.
"Our Idiot Brother" isn't amazing, but as far as lighthearted Saturday night movies go on the couch, it is about as good as they get in my mind.
Medium Popcorn with butter.
