BEFORE: Will Ferrell-thon continues - I've been attempting to add "Old School" to my list (if not now, when?) but apparently the universe does not want me to watch that movie at this point in time. It's not for sale at the $5 DVD store, on On Demand or premium cable, so I have to imagine that it belongs somewhere in a future chain.
THE PLOT: Two aimless middle-aged losers still living at home are forced against their will to become roommates when their parents get married.'
AFTER: This was mostly funny, but partially funny because the characters were so pathetic. If you can see the humor in a 40-year old man-child who still lives at home, well, then go for it. Actually TWO 40-year old man-childs, because both Brennan (Will Ferrell) and Dale (John C. Reilly) are cut from the same cloth. Something's been holding them both back, whether they've been coddled by their parents, or traumatized in some way, neither has ever apparently held a steady job, or lived on their own.
But when Brennan's mom marries Dale's dad (having slacker sons in common), they're forced to share space. At first they're adversaries, then they're the best of friends, then adversaries again. There are so many plot reversals that it's sort of hard to keep track, or to find someone to root for. And the overall point of the film seems to be that one's crazy dreams and inner child should be nurtured, so again we have a case of mixed messages, like in "Kicking & Screaming". (Living with parents = bad? Living with parents = good? Getting a job = good? Getting a job = bad?)
What unites the step-brothers is a common enemy, their successful third brother, Derek, who's portrayed as a total douchebag who sells private helicopters to celebrities. (Again, success = bad?) He needs to be the perfect man, with the perfect wife and perfect kids, but there's imperfections lurking under the surface (so perfection = bad?). I did like the family's a cappella rendition of "Sweet Child of Mine", though...
So much of the humor is out of left field, or relies on non-sequiturs, that this might not be everyone's cup of tea. But there were plenty of funny moments, and redeeming character moments. Then again, I can see how people might find 40-year-olds who act like 5-year-olds to be not funny at all.
Also starring Mary Steenburgen, Richard Jenkins, Adam Scott (who recently came to my attention with a role on "Parks & Recreation"), with cameos from Seth Rogen, Rob Riggle, Ken Jeong, Horatio Sanz, and Matt Walsh.
RATING: 6 out of 10 pirate hats
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