We're the Millers

Reviews from the Dark Side presents
We're the Millers
Released 8/7/13, now in theaters

Jason Sudeikis, Jennifer Aniston, Emma Roberts, and Will Poulter star as a makeshift family attempting to transport drugs across the Mexican border in this week's comedy, We're the Millers. 
It seems this is the year for me to praise comedies that are critically panned (i.e. Identity Thief and Movie 43).  "Millers" is arguably the best non-animated comedy I've seen in 2013.

We're the Millers is the story of small-time marijuana peddler, David Clark (Sudeikis), who is robbed of his stash and money by a gang of thugs while trying to be a good samaritan.    This is a big problem for David as part of his boss's money is stolen in the process.  His wealthy and eccentric boss, Brad Gurdlinger (Ed Helms), gives David an opportunity to make good on the loss.  If he travels to Mexico, acts as the courier for "Pablo Chacon" (Brad's Mexican alias), and transports a "smidge and a half of mari-ju-ana" into the U.S., David's debt will be repaid.  David is reluctant to become a drug mule, but he can't turn down the $100,000 Brad is paying him for the job or ignore the insinuation of death if he refuses. 

But, how does the scruffy drug dealer cross the border twice without arousing suspicion?  He receives unexpected inspiration from a "Brady Bunch" type family traveling in an RV.  Noticing that a police officer is more than happy to assist the lost family with directions without a thought, David comes up with the idea that if he travels across the borders with his own "family", the border authorities won't give him a second glance.  First, he has to make himself over to look like someone respectable.  Second, he has to do some recruiting.  With some coaxing and bribery in some cases, he finds his family.  There's his down-on-her-luck stripper neighbor, Rose (Aniston), who plays his "wife"; there's the geeky Kenny (Poulter), a teenager whose mother abandoned him after a night out drinking who will be his "son"; and, finally, there's Casey (Roberts), a tough runaway teenager with an unhealthy love for her Iphone who will play the role of his "daughter."  Thus, the "Millers" are born. 

As you would expect, things don't go quite as planned for the Millers as the "smidge and a half" of pot turns out to be two tons of it.  They also unknowingly steal it from the real Pablo Chacon and he's not happy about it. Insert ensuing wackiness here.

Comedies depicting drugs and drug dealers tend to wear thin with me as I've stated before primarily because I don't find drug use particularly funny.  What I really enjoyed about We're the Millers is that it was madcap lunacy that happened to have drugs in the plotline.  It wasn't all about the drugs themselves.  Marijuana was more of a prop than a focus.  And for that, I thank all involved. 

Much of the cast is on point when it comes to bringing the chuckles.  Even the weird and uptight Fitzgeralds (Nick Offerman and Kathryn Hahn) get in on the act.  There's a tent scene involving boob fondling and sticking ones finger in a very unusual place that has to be seen to be believed.  But, I have to say the standout here is Aniston.  Much like how she stole her scenes in Horrible Bosses, Aniston displays comedic chops that I'm still shocked she has.  As the least funny character on Friends, I didn't know she could genuinely be funny during that show's run.  She more than holds her own with Sudeikis, a comedic heavyweight.  And let me say once again how happy I am that she is veering away from rom coms.  She's better than that.  It would be a true disappointment if she returns to that type of film.

We're the Millers may grab for the lowest common denominator at times for its laughs, but it is exactly what a movie that calls itself a comedy should be.  It's hilarious.  The laughs are churned out throughout it's 100 minute running time.  That can be difficult for a comedy to stay funny that long.  It also has a heart among its crudeness as each of the Millers discovers in their own time that they actually don't hate the other members of their ragtag band.  Kudos to the cast and the direction of Rawson Marshall Thurber.  I was entertained from start to finish.

The Dark Lord of the Sith says:

****1/4 stars

Ratings Legend
Zero *= Don't waste your time. Pure dreck! Dreck is too good for this! Blind me please!
1 *= Fuggedaboutit!
2 *= Average, Mediocre, Nothing Special
3 *= Good viewing. Much better than a poke in the eye.
4 *= Great. Could possibly foot the price of a non-Matinee.
5 *= Pure eye candy. Hall of Fame material here.