“We’re The Millers” is about a low-level drug dealer named David Clark (played by Jason Sudeikis) having to smuggle marijuana from Mexico. This is because he is robbed after his 18-year-old dorky neighbor Kenny (played by Will Poulter) tries to go up against some thugs. The thugs are antagonizing Snarky Teenage Girl #456235698, I mean Casey (played by Emma Roberts). Having been robbed, David isn’t able to pay his high-end jerk of a boss, Brad Gurdlinger (played by Ed Helms). David decides the best way to get in and out of Mexico is to make a faux family made of himself, Kenny, Casey, and Rose, David’s stripper neighbor (played by Jennifer Aniston).
To be fair, this is a unique premise as it lends itself to some interesting opportunities. Does any one remember comedies such as “Are We There Yet?”, “RV”, and similar traveling comedies? “We’re the Millers” feels like a parody of such family comedies, especially in one scene early on. In a certain scene the kids want some fireworks and David loses his cool and viciously swears at them. This is a clever and funny scene portrayed; unfortunately this seems to be one of the few scenes with actual wit.
We don’t actually get to spend a lot of time with this fake family on the road, which is a real shame. We get one scene and then we get to Mexico and they get the drugs that they need and start back. As soon as they re-enter the U.S., funny scenes soon become scarce. Whenever there are dead comedy spots, the writers decide to resort to cheap sex jokes that are clearly there for shallow offensive comedy.
I’m not a prude when it comes to comedy, but just because a joke has sex doesn’t make it a bad joke. I found “Ted” used sex comedy in a funny way and “Kentucky Fried Movie” made fun of those kinds of jokes. However, when “We’re the Miller’s” tries to use it, it’s nothing more than getting cheap laughs from just saying “cock” or “boobs”. The actors are trying to make it funny but not even George Carlin could make this stuff sound funny.
Speaking of acting, the acting actually isn’t that bad. Everyone tries their best with the material given, especially Jason Sudeikis who gives a charming snarky routine. Jennifer Aniston does a good job but her character is okay at best. Will Poulter seems to have stepped out of the Archie comics and he actually is part of a great joke in Mexico. Some of you may have noticed my subtle writing on Emma Robert’s character, Casey.
She’s a fine actress and all but she’s the worst written character. There was potential for jokes here but the writers went the easy way out. Instead of writing and actual character, they went to the snarky teenager that we’ve seen so many times. It’s almost insulting in this day and age to still see most young actresses in comedies become this stupid stereotype.
Overall, “We’re the Millers” is a painfully average comedy that strives for nothing more than being a distraction. The premise is good but the writing really lets you down in most places, especially when the film begins with YouTube clips. That isn’t to say it isn’t completely unfunny as there are a few bright spots. Something tells me that a lot of scenes were either re-written or removed to achieve this effect. Even with all the cuts, this movie is still almost two hours long, which is just way too long.
I don’t spoil endings, but if you don’t guess the ending by the second act than you need to watch more movies. The ending is pretty much the average death nail for this movie and feels a little weird like it might not have been the real ending. If you’re forced to watch this, it’s not too bad. Just remember that when you get to the camp scene, it’s time for a ten-minute pee break.