There are a lot of movies coming out this weekend, but none of them are quite as Oscar-worthy as this one, in my humble opinion.
Dreamworks’ “People Like Us” starring Michelle Pfeiffer, Chris Pine, & Elizabeth Banks, hit theaters yesterday (Friday, June 29). It’s a perfect combination of heartwarming and dysfunction and it truly is a must-see.
Plot
Sam (Chris Pine) is a (very good-looking) salesman and a smooth talker making his living by trading goods and services. His fast-paced life is interrupted by the simultaneous collapse of a deal and the sudden death of his music-mogul father. Now he finds himself forced to face his mother (Michelle Pfeiffer), his past, and a series of hurtful truths about himself and his family which include an affair his father once had and a sister, Frankie (Elizabeth Banks), that he never knew about.
Inspired by Real Life
People Like Us is inspired by the real life events of the movie’s writer and director Alex Kurtzman, whose father had two children from a previous marriage that Kurtzman had never met. The very day the idea “People Like Us” was conceived, Kurtzman walked into a party and came face to face with his half-sister, a serendipitous almost unbelievable moment. When it came time to write the film, Kurtzman discussed the plot with his longtime friend and writing partner, Roberto Orci, who had a similar story about his aunt whose father had a “secret family” and that’s how the storyline for People Like Us was born.
Secrets
“People Like Us” resonates with, well, people like us. Every family has its secrets, its dysfunctions and its issues. What we all have in common is the need to make the best out of whatever situation we’ve been given, which sometimes means making an occasional wrong turn, keeping secrets from the kids or each other. The problem is, though, we shield our loved ones from the truth not necessarily to shield them, but ourselves. And knowing the difference can be tricky.
The truth always comes out. Eventually.
Throughout the movie, we’re taken on a journey through decisions past, the realizations of present and wind up at a crossroads for decisions future. What I loved about this movie is its ability to connect with the dysfunction in all of us and all of our families. It leaves you guessing throughout the entire film about just how things are going to end up and whether or not they’ll end up ok.
It makes you laugh through your tears.
People Like Us is a Dreamworks film (also The Help) and in true Dreamworks’ fashion, it’s a big film with an independent film feel.
Go see it.
People Like Us is rated PG-13.
ps. It’s got some eye candy too.
Go “like” People Like Us on Facebook and follow the movie on Twitter. There is also has a People Like Us Pinterest board I’m following!
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