We're The Millers... Mad Cap Capers ~ Cinema Review

I was lucky enough to see a free early screening of We're The Millers through Show Film First. Starring Jennifer Aniston and Jason Sudeikis the film is the story of a robbed drug dealer falling on hard times and being coerced into smuggling a 'smidge' of weed from Mexico. Having great distate for happy families in general he is forced into the father role to ease border crossings. The mother role in this family falls to his neighbouring stripper (Jennifer Aniston), and his loving children are a stroppy homeless girl (Emma Roberts), and innocently gawky virgin (Will Poulter).
Released in the UK on the 23rd of August, it is a comic mix of The Hangover style and obvious innuendo. A feel good road trip plot with all the expected hiccups along the way, from the trailer alone you can clearly see how this is going to pan out into the stereotypical happy ending. However this film has a distinct emphasis on drugs (Big shocker there!) and a few unexpected surprise scenes along the way.

The motley crew are definitely in need of a make over, with only one of them meeting the typical wholesome image. The attitudes to each other are distinctly different as well. 


David (Jason Sudeikis), sees the family as a useful tool to avoid jail, though we are made aware of the friction between him and Rose (Jennifer Aniston) from the start. Coming from Horrible Bosses and Hall Pass it was obvious that Jason would play a major part in  the comedy, and he didn't disappoint. His frustration at the family bonding and his struggle to see past be less selfish and more of a parent is refreshing.



Rose is a hardened down on her luck stripper, initially only in it for the money, she falls into the maternal role with ease. Fresh from a spate of Rom-Com's like Marley And Me and Just Go With It Full Movie (Friends TV Show). This was also a beautiful chance to showcase her dance skills and 'prove she still has it'. I know many women in their 30's who would kill to have a body like that, never mind their 40's!



Kenny (Will Poulter) is an adorable innocent who has been all but abandoned by his mother, and befriends the unwilling David. An amazing performance of naivety and desperation, underscoring his success in School of Comedy and The Chronicles of Narnia - Voyage of the Dawn Treader.  He attempts to hold the family together though guns, law men and insects.



Casey (Emma Roberts), is another hard case, initially she appears happy with her street life and resentful of the intrusion. However that all fades when the happy family begins to appear more attainable.. Being the niece of  Julia Roberts, and having been in films since she was 10, fame is nothing new. Though with the score of films she's in this year (Delirium , Adult World and Empire State Film), I can see a new level being reached.



But its amazing what a hair cut and new clothes can do for a family, helped obviously by bonding over the fiascos they encounter on the way.

There's a big cast in this film, attracting many notable actors: Luis Guzman, Nick Offerman, Kathryn Hahn and Tomer Sisley. My favourite had to be Ed Helms, in a departure from his run down character in The Hangover, he plays David's boss. An aloof cartel lord with a sick sense of humour and some strange hobbies.

All in, I found this to be an enjoyably depraved version of drug dealing, happy families. There was plenty of unexpected humour and the out-takes have got to be commended. Here I will leave you with a joyous reminder of Jennifer Aniston's famed theme tune, simply because I can and it's great.

Fun Facts : David mentions having seen the show Dexter, both Matthew Willig and and Mark L. Young (One Eye and Scottie P), were "victims" of Dexter. 

During the filming Make-up artists actually made a prosthetic replica of Will Poulter's genitalia!