Lyzsi SinclairFirst Orble film review - "The Joneses"
My first film review on Orble.com comes in the form of “The Joneses”; a comedy drama that was released in cinemas nationwide Friday 23rd April. The main cast include David Duchovny (“X-Files”, “Californication”), Demi Moore (“Ghost”, “Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle”), Amber Heard (“All The Boys Love Mandy Lane”) and relative newcomer Ben Hollingsworth.
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The story follows the Joneses, a picture-perfect family who appear to be living the american dream. Moving into a new home, they are keen to get to know all the neighbours as soon as possible. Appearances however can be deceptive - and it is revealed that this family are all about selling the products that go into this slick and smooth appearance and home, as part of an undercover marketing strategy. In reality four great salespeople have been brought together to play the parts of a normal family who have it all, and it is this that leads trouble to begin.
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With the “daughter” (Heard) of the family hitting on the “father” (Duchovny), showing her penchant for older men; a “mother” (Moore) who could care less about a real life, and is only interested in sales; and a “son” (Hollingsworth) who is torn on his sexuality, the film is given it’s main set-up in which plays out suitably. However the neighbours mass purchase of material goods, soon turns sour - especially given the current climate of recession - and after a hard-hit tragedy Duchovny’s character Steve fast repents and questions the morality behind his job. After all it is just a job, and falling in love with Demi’s character Kate means he now want a normal real life.
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So, was the film any good? Well I’m a little torn. Some of the performances in this film were really strong. David Duchovny and Demi Moore’s exchanges were witty and well played, although there were some uncomfortable silences in parts. Amber Heard and Ben Hollingsworth were also good - I can see Amber beginning to get bigger parts from this film, if only for her amazing beauty and willingness to do anything. Ben perhaps played things a bit blank and uncomfortable at times, but overall I think he did really well. There were some nice supporting roles from Gary Cole (“Office Space”) and Glenne Headly (“Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen”), as the neighbours desperately trying to keep up with the Joneses in every way. Cast-wise and performance-wise it was very strong.
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The music also is a cause for me feeling a bit disappointed in the overall movie experience, although this was for different reasons. Subtle background music done well can really compliment a film, in this film however there were scenes where some music would perhaps have been better to play along with the scene; and other times where the music didn’t quite fit. The score is something I feel could have been vastly improved.
*******
The story itself is interesting, and a possible morality tale. It’s amazing how many of us everyday see a friend or neighbour with something, and must go out and aquire our own to keep up with them. It’s dark to consider that it’s possible for companies to send out families to sell brands to people as undercover marketing - but I’m sure it happens somewhere along the line. The darkest moment for me would be where the “Joneses” were given a rum punch product to sell that was packaged just like a Capri Sun drink. Claiming that it’s not for marketing at minors, it soon slips into the hands of some teenagers with some pretty bad consequences.
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Unfortunately, part of me is left to wonder whether this film is a giant advertisement. I’m not too aware of whether all the products used were real, but some I recognised. Lacoste, Audi and the HTC mobile smartphone were heavily positioned in this film, and I would be intriuged to know whether these companies would report a sales increase after the release of this film - or whether that’s just me being sceptical. It is a dark morality tale, but a lot of the darkness is lost with the glossy sheen applied all over it. The film runs at 93 minutes long, and I think maybe it was a little too long, or missing some key ingredients to keep it interesting. There were some good laughs in there, but sometimes they were a little lost due to the awkward nature of a scene playing without music. Some were just lost in the hustle and bustle of the film.
*******
I feel I must say again that Duchovny and Moore played out their characters well - and the chemistry there was really great. The way they act out their picture-perfect “marriage” that they need to portray to the neighbours, and the way they begin to find themselves falling in love is impeccable; and really gives this movie a boost.
*******
Overall it’s not a bad film - but interrupted pace, a score less than perfect, and a story that is possibly undercut by heavy advertising and not full of constant comedy - means that it won’t suit everyone. I say go and see it to question our material-obsessed society, and for David Duchovny and Demi Moore’s wonderful and sparklingly witty performances. Not for everyone and a bit too long it gets: 6/10.
*******
“The Joneses” is out in cinemas nationwide now and is rated 15.
*******
The story follows the Joneses, a picture-perfect family who appear to be living the american dream. Moving into a new home, they are keen to get to know all the neighbours as soon as possible. Appearances however can be deceptive - and it is revealed that this family are all about selling the products that go into this slick and smooth appearance and home, as part of an undercover marketing strategy. In reality four great salespeople have been brought together to play the parts of a normal family who have it all, and it is this that leads trouble to begin.
*******
With the “daughter” (Heard) of the family hitting on the “father” (Duchovny), showing her penchant for older men; a “mother” (Moore) who could care less about a real life, and is only interested in sales; and a “son” (Hollingsworth) who is torn on his sexuality, the film is given it’s main set-up in which plays out suitably. However the neighbours mass purchase of material goods, soon turns sour - especially given the current climate of recession - and after a hard-hit tragedy Duchovny’s character Steve fast repents and questions the morality behind his job. After all it is just a job, and falling in love with Demi’s character Kate means he now want a normal real life.
*******
So, was the film any good? Well I’m a little torn. Some of the performances in this film were really strong. David Duchovny and Demi Moore’s exchanges were witty and well played, although there were some uncomfortable silences in parts. Amber Heard and Ben Hollingsworth were also good - I can see Amber beginning to get bigger parts from this film, if only for her amazing beauty and willingness to do anything. Ben perhaps played things a bit blank and uncomfortable at times, but overall I think he did really well. There were some nice supporting roles from Gary Cole (“Office Space”) and Glenne Headly (“Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen”), as the neighbours desperately trying to keep up with the Joneses in every way. Cast-wise and performance-wise it was very strong.
*******
The music also is a cause for me feeling a bit disappointed in the overall movie experience, although this was for different reasons. Subtle background music done well can really compliment a film, in this film however there were scenes where some music would perhaps have been better to play along with the scene; and other times where the music didn’t quite fit. The score is something I feel could have been vastly improved.
*******
The story itself is interesting, and a possible morality tale. It’s amazing how many of us everyday see a friend or neighbour with something, and must go out and aquire our own to keep up with them. It’s dark to consider that it’s possible for companies to send out families to sell brands to people as undercover marketing - but I’m sure it happens somewhere along the line. The darkest moment for me would be where the “Joneses” were given a rum punch product to sell that was packaged just like a Capri Sun drink. Claiming that it’s not for marketing at minors, it soon slips into the hands of some teenagers with some pretty bad consequences.
*******
Unfortunately, part of me is left to wonder whether this film is a giant advertisement. I’m not too aware of whether all the products used were real, but some I recognised. Lacoste, Audi and the HTC mobile smartphone were heavily positioned in this film, and I would be intriuged to know whether these companies would report a sales increase after the release of this film - or whether that’s just me being sceptical. It is a dark morality tale, but a lot of the darkness is lost with the glossy sheen applied all over it. The film runs at 93 minutes long, and I think maybe it was a little too long, or missing some key ingredients to keep it interesting. There were some good laughs in there, but sometimes they were a little lost due to the awkward nature of a scene playing without music. Some were just lost in the hustle and bustle of the film.
*******
I feel I must say again that Duchovny and Moore played out their characters well - and the chemistry there was really great. The way they act out their picture-perfect “marriage” that they need to portray to the neighbours, and the way they begin to find themselves falling in love is impeccable; and really gives this movie a boost.
*******
Overall it’s not a bad film - but interrupted pace, a score less than perfect, and a story that is possibly undercut by heavy advertising and not full of constant comedy - means that it won’t suit everyone. I say go and see it to question our material-obsessed society, and for David Duchovny and Demi Moore’s wonderful and sparklingly witty performances. Not for everyone and a bit too long it gets: 6/10.
*******
“The Joneses” is out in cinemas nationwide now and is rated 15.
