Step Brothers (2008)

Director:

Adam McKay

Writers (WGA):

Will Ferrell (screenplay) &
Adam McKay (screenplay) ...
(more)

Release Date:

25 July 2008 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Tagline:

They grow up so fast.

Plot:

Two aimless middle-aged losers still living at home are forced against their will to become roommates when their parents get married.

Plot Keywords:

Love | Friendship | Slacker | Sleepwalking | Widower

Awards:

2 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Will Ferrell	...	Brennan Huff
John C. Reilly	...	Dale Doback
Mary Steenburgen	...	Nancy Huff
Richard Jenkins	...	Dr. Robert Doback
Adam Scott	...	Derek
Kathryn Hahn	...	Alice
Andrea Savage	...	Denise
Lurie Poston	...	Tommy
Elizabeth Yozamp	...	Tiffany
Logan Manus	...	Chris Gardoki
Travis T. Flory	...	Redheaded Kid (as Travis Flory)
Lili Rose McKay	...	7-Year-Old Girl (as Lili McKay)
Shira Piven	...	Nurse
Seth Morris	...	Doctor
Wayne Federman	...	Blind Man
Maria Quiban	...	TV Anchor
Danielle Schneider	...	Receptionist
Gillian Vigman	...	Pam Gringe
Brian Huskey	...	Interviewer
Adam McKay	...	Man without Glasses
Seth Rogen	...	Sporting Goods Manager
Chris Henchy	...	First Homebuyer
Mary Catherine Hamelin	...	First Homebuyer
Ian Roberts	...	Male Therapist
Erica Vittina Phillips	...	Second Homebuyer
Phil LaMarr	...	Second Homebuyer
Rob Riggle	...	Randy
Jason Davis	...	TJ
Paula Killen	...	Rental Agent
Ken Jeong	...	Employment Agent
Horatio Sanz	...	Lead Singer
Kyle Felts	...	Wine Mixer Heckler
Jake Szymanski	...	Caterer
Matt Walsh	...	Drunk Corporate Guy
Dmitri Schuyler-Linch	...	6-Year-Old Derek
Bryce Hurless	...	9-Year-Old Brennan
Brent White	...	Therapy Patient
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Steve Silverie	...	Donnie Huff
Don Abernathy	...	Upscale Businessman (uncredited)
Erin Affourtit	...	Online Store Clerk (uncredited)
Jeffrey Ashkin	...	Catalina Wine Mixer Guest (uncredited)
Pete Brown	...	Helicopter Pilot (uncredited)
Troy Butcher	...	Football Player (uncredited)
Jeremy Clark	...	Derek's Football Buddy (uncredited)
John D. Crawford	...	Bekins Mover (uncredited)
Krystal Ellsworth	...	Featured Dancer (uncredited)
Charlie Gelbart	...	Helicopter Girl (uncredited)
Tommy Gerrits	...	Boy in Park (uncredited)
Larry Goldstein	...	Maitre D' (uncredited)
Carol Ilku	...	Shop Owner (uncredited)
Amanda Lee Jacoby	...	Student Back in the 80's (uncredited)
Christopher Karl Johnson	...	Wedding Guest / Dancer (uncredited)
Breaunna Lake	...	Student (uncredited)
Michelle Lenhardt	...	Upscale Shopper (uncredited)
Tara Macken	...	High School Gymnast (uncredited)
Kate Ociepka	...	Girl in Playground (uncredited)
Debbie Prokop	...	Wine Mixer Guest / Dancer (uncredited)
Alex Pulido	...	Playground Kid (uncredited)
Jarrod Robbins	...	Bartender (uncredited)
Erinn Selkis	...	Helicopter Girl (uncredited)
Laimarie Serrano	...	TJ's Wife (uncredited)
Micah Sudduth	...	Mangina Chior Boy (uncredited)

Directed by
Adam McKay

Writing credits (WGA)
Will Ferrell		(screenplay) &
Adam McKay		(screenplay)
Will Ferrell		(story) &
Adam McKay		(story) &
John C. Reilly		(story)

Produced by
Judd Apatow	....	producer
Joshua Church	....	co-producer (as Josh Church)
Jessica Elbaum	....	associate producer
Andrew Epstein	....	associate producer
Will Ferrell	....	executive producer
David B. Householter	....	executive producer (as David Householter)
Adam McKay	....	executive producer
Jimmy Miller	....	producer

Original Music by
Jon Brion

Cinematography by
Oliver Wood		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Brent White

Casting by
Allison Jones

Production Design by
Clayton Hartley

Art Direction by
Virginia L. Randolph		(as Virginia Randolph Weaver)

Set Decoration by
Casey Hallenbeck

Costume Design by
Susan Matheson

Makeup Department
Simone Almekias-Siegl	....	key makeup artist
Steve Artmont	....	makeup department head
Nanci Cascio	....	key hair stylist (as Nanci L. Cascio)
Bridget Cook	....	hair department head
Toby Lamm	....	additional make-up
J.D. Bowers	....	prosthetics lab technician: W.M. Creations Inc. (uncredited)
J.D. Bowers	....	prosthetics sculptor: W.M. Creations Inc. (uncredited)
Adam Brandy	....	additional makeup artist (uncredited)
Matthew W. Mungle	....	prosthetic supplier (uncredited)
Tina Sims	....	assistant hair stylist (uncredited)
Clinton Wayne	....	special makeup effects artist (uncredited)

Production Management
Basil Grillo	....	unit production manager (as Basil Bryant Grillo)

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Courtenay Miles	....	second assistant director
Jaysene Overton	....	dga trainee
Matt Rebenkoff	....	first assistant director
Paul Schneider	....	second second assistant director
Mike Crotty	....	additional second assistant director (uncredited)
Vincent G. Gonzales	....	second assistant director: reshoots (uncredited)
Adam Martin	....	additional second assistant director (uncredited)
Courtenay Miles	....	first assistant director: second unit (uncredited)
Matt G. Sheets	....	assistant director: additional photography (uncredited)
Matt G. Sheets	....	assistant director: reshoots (uncredited)
Matt G. Sheets	....	second second assistant director (uncredited)

Art Department
David Becerra	....	art department coordinator
Charlie Campbell	....	assistant art director (as Margaret Campbell)
Glenn Forbes	....	assistant property master
Carmine Goglia	....	stand-by painter
Glenn Hoofman	....	plaster foreman
Lee J. Jashinsky	....	painter
Scott Maginnis	....	property master
Brook Mansbridge	....	construction foreman
Mark Sakamoto	....	leadman
Bill Taliaferro	....	set designer
James E. Tocci	....	set designer
Charles Vassar	....	set designer (as Charlie Vassar)
Butch West	....	construction coordinator
Andrew Campbell	....	graphic designer (uncredited)
Eric Coon	....	carpenter (uncredited)
Robert Danté Denne	....	paint supervisor (uncredited)
Adam Deyoe	....	art assistant (uncredited)
Marc L. Fusco	....	art department coordinator (uncredited)
Erick Garibay	....	assistant props (uncredited)
Tommy Gutman	....	assistant props (uncredited)
Phillip A. Henry	....	gang boss (uncredited)
John Herbert	....	painter (uncredited)
Alex Hill	....	illustrator (uncredited)
Alex Hill	....	storyboard artist (uncredited)
Steven Curtis Husch	....	set decoration buyer (uncredited)
Monique Landry	....	on-set dresser (uncredited)
Kurt Miller	....	carpenter foreman (uncredited)
Lanie Mimikakis	....	props (uncredited)
Steven O'Bannon	....	labor foreman (uncredited)
Brieann Rich	....	construction medic (uncredited)
Jack White	....	food stylist (uncredited)
Eric Yamamoto	....	art department assistant (uncredited)

Sound Department
George H. Anderson	....	supervising sound editor (as George Anderson)
Bill W. Benton	....	supervising sound mixer
Gary C. Bourgeois	....	supervising sound mixer
Bill Burns	....	assistant sound editor
Tammy Fearing	....	supervising adr editor
Vincent Guisetti	....	foley artist
Michael Haight	....	adr editor
Randall L. Johnson	....	boom operator (as Randy Johnson)
Pamela Kahn	....	foley artist (as Pamela Nedd Kahn)
Larry Kemp	....	dialogue editor
Howard London	....	adr mixer
Cindy Marty	....	sound effects editor
James Matheny	....	dialogue editor
Jack Rametta	....	adr mixer
Art Rochester	....	production sound mixer (as Arthur Rochester)
Kyle Rochlin	....	foley mixer
Joe Schiff	....	sound effects editor
Cherie Tamai	....	assistant sound editor
Paul Tirone	....	adr recordist
Mark C. Grech	....	boom operator: second unit (uncredited)
Ross Levy	....	utility sound technician (uncredited)
Fred Peck III	....	sound mixing technician (uncredited)

Special Effects by
Bruce Khteian	....	special effects foreman
Bruce Minkus	....	special effects coordinator

Visual Effects by
Akemi Abe	....	main titles
Jon Anastasiades	....	digital compositor
Raoul Bolognini	....	visual effects producer: Zoic Studios (as Raoul Yorke Bolognini)
Greg Groenekamp	....	compositor: Zoic Studios
Diana Hinek	....	compositor: Zoic Studios
Deke Kincaid	....	compositor: Zoic Studios
Jason Monroe	....	cg modeller: Zoic Studios
Nathan Overstrom	....	compositor: Zoic Studios (as Nate Overstrom)
Rocco Passionino	....	visual effects supervisor: Zoic Studios
Bethany Pederson Onstad	....	compositor: Zoic Studios (as Bethany Pederson)
Nik Slotiuk	....	cg artist
Philip Williams	....	visual effects coordinator: Zoic Studios
Roy Yang	....	digital compositor (as Jianru Yang)
Zachariah Zaubi	....	compositor: Zoic Studios (as Zach Zabui)
Dave Isaac Santos Abuel	....	digital compositor (uncredited)
Riley Benard	....	digital compositor: Zoic Studios B.C. (uncredited)
Kristen Branan	....	head of production: Zoic Studios (uncredited)
Mike Diltz	....	digital compositor (uncredited)
Ben Funk	....	digital compositor (uncredited)
Nick Hsieh	....	compositor: Zoic Studios (uncredited)
Patrick Mooney	....	visual effects producer: Zoic Studios Vancouver (uncredited )
Patrick Mooney	....	visual effects producer: Zoic Studios (uncredited)
Nicholas Onstad	....	digital artist (uncredited)
Mark Robben	....	digital compositor (uncredited)
Sean Tompkins	....	visual effects coordinator (uncredited)
Caleb Wagner	....	visual effects (uncredited)

Stunts
Greg Anthony	....	stunts
Joni Avery	....	stunts
Eddie Braun	....	stunts
Todd Bryant	....	stunts
Gary Davis	....	additional stunt coordinator: re-shoots
Jeremy Fitzgerald	....	stunts
Sean Graham	....	stunts
Rosine 'Ace' Hatem	....	stunts (as Ace Hatem)
Ronan Hice	....	stunt performer
Sonia Izzolena	....	stunts (as Sonia Jo McDancer)
Terry James	....	stunts (as James Terry)
Dan Lemieux	....	stunts
Shaun W. Loeser	....	stunts (as Shaun Loeser)
Rob Mars	....	stunts
John Robotham	....	stunt coordinator
Roger Stoneburner	....	stunts
James Terry	....	utility stunts
Michael M. Vendrell	....	stunts (as Michael Vendrell)
Jeffrey G. Barnett	....	stunts (uncredited)
Michael H. Barnett	....	stunts (uncredited)
Troy Bellinghausen	....	stunt double (uncredited)
Todd Bryant	....	stunt double: Will Ferrell (uncredited)
Michael Caradonna	....	utility stunts (uncredited)
Callie Croughwell	....	stunts (uncredited)
Cameron Croughwell	....	stunts (uncredited)
Joshua Croughwell	....	stunts (uncredited)
Reid Harper	....	stunts (uncredited)
Ajay Hateley	....	stunts (uncredited)
Dylan Hice	....	stunts (uncredited)
Houston Hooker	....	stunts (uncredited)
Kanan Hooker	....	stunts (uncredited)
Karine Mauffrey	....	utility stunts (uncredited)
Anna Mercedes Morris	....	stunts (uncredited)
Mark Munoz	....	stunts (uncredited)
Tarah Paige	....	stunt performer (uncredited)
Jade Quon	....	stunts (uncredited)
Wyatt Tipton	....	stunt performer (uncredited)
Katina Waters	....	stunts (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Michael D. Alvarez	....	second assistant camera: "b" camera
Robert Baird	....	assistant camera
James Barela	....	loader
Jerry Bertolami	....	dolly grip
George W. Borthwick	....	grip
Joe Chess	....	camera operator: "a" camera
James B. Crawford	....	chief lighting technician (as James Crawford)
Damon Doherty	....	rigging grip
Rick Harris	....	key rigging grip
Annika Iltis	....	camera loader
Bruce Jagoda	....	dimmer board operator
Timothy James Kane	....	first assistant camera: "b" camera (as Timothy Kane)
James Keys	....	chief rigging lighting technician (as James J. Keys)
Tommy Klines	....	first assistant camera
Gemma La Mana	....	still photographer
Jonathan Leary	....	grip
Tim Marshall	....	gaffer: additional photography
Ronald A. Miller	....	rigging grip foreman
Paul Murphey	....	video assist operator
Coby Nissen	....	lighting technician
Maricella Ramirez	....	first assistant camera: "a" camera
Todd SanSone	....	additional photography
Michael Shaw	....	grip
Alan Shultz	....	dolly grip (as Alan Schultz)
Donald A. Spadoni	....	best boy rigging grip
Michael St. Hilaire	....	camera operator: "b" camera
Mike Sweeney	....	assistant chief lighting technician (as Mike J. Sweeney)
Jeff Therieau	....	rigging grip
Les T. Tomita	....	key grip (as Les Tomita)
Michael Anthony Travers	....	rigging grip
Michael T. Travers	....	best boy grip
Terry Wolcott	....	second assistant camera: "a" camera
Norman Ash	....	electrician (uncredited)
Paul Gonsoulin	....	first assistant camera: 2nd Unit / Additional Camera (uncredited)
Quinn Grove	....	grip (uncredited)
Scott Kidner	....	chief lighting technician: second unit (uncredited)
Kris Krosskove	....	camera operator: second unit (uncredited)
Thom Lairson	....	second assistant camera: "c" camera (uncredited)
Ulrike Lamster	....	second assistant camera (uncredited)
Jim McComas	....	electrician (uncredited)
Daisuke Dice Miyake	....	grip (uncredited)
Ron Newburn	....	lighting technician (uncredited)
Michael Pinkey	....	camera operator (uncredited)
David Stump	....	director of photography: second unit (uncredited)
Joseph T. Terranova	....	set lighting technician (uncredited)
Michael Ursetta	....	rigging electrician (uncredited)
Michael J. Walker	....	camera operator: "c" camera (uncredited)
Michael Witczak	....	electrician (uncredited)

Animation Department
Grant Okita	....	main title animator

Casting Department
Angela Campolla-Sanders	....	casting associate
Ben Harris	....	casting assistant
Chris Bustard	....	extras casting (uncredited)
Mariann H.W. Lee	....	extras casting (uncredited)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Charlene Amateau	....	costume supervisor
Yvonne Bastidos	....	set costumer
Klara Farberov	....	seamstress: additional photography
Marylou Lim	....	costumer: Mr. Ferrell
Jacquelyn Moran	....	costume assistant: additional photography
Elaine Perlmann	....	assistant costume designer (as Elaine Davis)
Michael A. Russell	....	key costumer
Susan Strubel	....	set costumer
Carol Demarti	....	head ager and dyer (uncredited)
Nina Fabio	....	seamstress (uncredited)
Erin Fisher	....	costume assistant (uncredited)
Katie Gavin	....	additional costumer (uncredited)
Robyn Gebhart	....	cutter/fitter (uncredited)
Grace Pyke	....	costumer (uncredited)
Danny Vick	....	costumer (uncredited)
Andy Visser	....	additional costumer (uncredited)

Editorial Department
Mellissa Bretherton	....	additional editor
Mo Henry	....	negative cutter
Alex Hepburn	....	assistant editor
Michael Hofacre	....	assistant editor
John Persichetti	....	digital colorist
Josh Salzberg	....	apprentice editor
Benjamin Sutor	....	on-line editor (uncredited)
Jay Warren	....	digital intermediate producer (uncredited)

Music Department
Bruce Fowler	....	orchestrator
Ran Galor	....	assistant music editor
Rick Giovinazzo	....	orchestrator
Jonathan Karp	....	music consultant
Kevin Kaska	....	orchestrator
Jim Schultz	....	music editor (as James A. Schultz)
Armin Steiner	....	score mixer
Erica Weis	....	music editor
Hal Willner	....	music supervisor
Gina Zimmitti	....	music contractor
Gary Gold	....	musician: drummer (uncredited)
Wayne Kramer	....	composer: additional music (uncredited)
Tim Rodier	....	music preparation (uncredited)
Bettie Ross	....	music copyist (uncredited)
David E. Russo	....	music programmer (uncredited)
Patrick Spain	....	scoring assistant engineer (uncredited)

Transportation Department
Michael W. Broomer	....	driver
James D. D'Amico	....	transportation co-captain (as James D'Amico)
Ted Joneson	....	driver
Jimmy Kaminsky	....	driver
Michael Menapace	....	transportation captain
Alex Strand	....	driver
Daniel Canamar	....	transportation dispatcher (uncredited)
Robert Gaskill	....	driver: reshoots (uncredited)
Teresa Haney	....	transportation (uncredited)
Vicki Sousa	....	driver (uncredited)

Other crew
John Arbuckle	....	boat captain
Gerard Averill	....	location manager
Susan Bambara	....	additional script supervisor: Los Angeles
Susan Bambara	....	script supervisor
Colin Borden	....	production assistant: reshoots
Will Casey	....	unit publicist
Pedro Max Cornejo-Lopez	....	computer/video operator
Brian Crimmins	....	production assistant
Demelza Cronin	....	assistant production coordinator
Laurette Dobson	....	additional script supervisor: Los Angeles
Laurette Dobson	....	script supervisor
Gabrielle Eisenstadt	....	production assistant: reshoots
Cristin Ertel	....	assistant: Mr. Miller
Carey Field	....	production assistant
Eli Fowler	....	production secretary
Marc L. Fusco	....	production assistant (as Mark Fusco)
Cate Hardman	....	script supervisor
Matthew Henick	....	assistant: Mr. Apatow
Justin W. Hill	....	assistant location manager
Ellen J. Hornstein	....	assistant: Mr. Householter
Lauryn Kahn	....	assistant: Mr. McKay
Jason Kumalo	....	production assistant
David Midgen	....	titles producer
Kathryn Mindala	....	production accountant
Birgit Paulin	....	assistant: Mr. Ferrell
Gregg Pittman	....	animal coordinator
Marguerite Pomerhn Derricks	....	choreographer (as Marguerite Derricks)
Tasha Prothro	....	production assistant
Alex Richanbach	....	production assistant
Bruce A. Ross	....	marine coordinator (as Bruce Ross)
Zachary Roth	....	assistant: Mr. Apatow (as Zack Roth)
Justin Ruane	....	assistant: Mr. Reilly
John Schwert	....	production assistant: cast
Chance P. Tassone	....	craft service: New Zealand splinter unit (as Chance Tassone)
Laura Tiz	....	assistant accountant
Lora Umphress	....	payroll accountant
Jan-Willem van der Vaart	....	production assistant
John Burton West	....	production coordinator (as John B. West)
Keegan Zall	....	production assistant (as D. Keegan Zall)
Natalie Alexander	....	misc crew: ADR Voices (uncredited)
Jampier Arias	....	junior assistant accountant: reshoots (uncredited)
Laurie Arnow-Epstein	....	construction accountant (uncredited)
Adam Bayless	....	assistant production coordinator (uncredited)
Sterling Beaumon	....	adr voice match (uncredited)
Scott Brant	....	key second assistant accountant (uncredited)
Bettina Browne	....	dog trainer (uncredited)
Ericka Bryce	....	supervising medic (uncredited)
Greg Cohen	....	assistant: Mr. Apatow (uncredited)
W. Harry Fortuna	....	assistant location manager (uncredited)
Mario Gilbert	....	key assistant location manager (uncredited)
Sean C. Graham	....	stand-in: re-shoots (uncredited)
Jennifer Hamilton	....	assistant choreographer (uncredited)
Robbie E. Harrison	....	voice over (uncredited)
Jack E. Herman	....	extras set coordinator (reshoots) (uncredited)
Pete Hernandez	....	additional production assistant (uncredited)
Rene H. Herrera	....	water safety (uncredited)
Tony Oberstar	....	production assistant (uncredited)
Mary Pascoe	....	stand-in (uncredited)
Brennan Reynolds	....	production assistant (uncredited)
Michael Rich	....	production assistant (uncredited)
Nicholas Rich	....	set medic (uncredited)
V.W. Scheich	....	production coordinator (uncredited)
Ron Segro	....	post-production accountant (uncredited)
Lalida Sujjavasin	....	production assistant (uncredited)
Tammy Thomas	....	production assistant (uncredited)
J.D. Woods	....	production assistant: additional photography (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Columbia Pictures (presents)
• Relativity Media (in association with)
• Apatow Productions
• Mosaic Media Group
• Gary Sanchez Productions

Distributors

• Columbia Pictures (2008) (USA) (theatrical)
• Sony Pictures Releasing (2008) (UK) (theatrical)
• Buena Vista Sony Pictures Releasing (BVSPR) (2008) (Russia) (theatrical)
• B and H Films (2008) (Ukraine) (theatrical)
• Sena (2008) (Iceland) (theatrical)
• Sony Pictures Releasing (2008) (Germany) (theatrical)
• Sony Pictures Releasing (2008) (Singapore) (theatrical)
• Forum (2008) (Latvia) (theatrical)
• AcmeFilm (2008) (Lithuania) (theatrical)
• Sony Pictures Releasing Canada (2008) (Canada) (theatrical)
• Sony Pictures Releasing (2008) (France) (theatrical)
• Sony Pictures Releasing (2008) (Sweden) (theatrical)
• Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures (2008) (Switzerland) (theatrical)
• LK-TEL (2009) (Argentina) (DVD)
• RTL Entertainment (2011) (Netherlands) (TV) (RTL7)
• Sony Pictures Entertainment (2009) (Japan) (DVD)
• Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (2009) (Germany) (DVD)
• Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (2009) (Greece) (DVD)
• Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (2009) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (2009) (Sweden) (DVD)
• Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (2009) (Sweden) (DVD) (Blu-ray)
• Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (2008) (USA) (DVD)
• Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (2008) (USA) (DVD) (Blu-ray)
• Sony Pictures Releasing (2009) (Argentina) (all media)
• Universal Pictures Finland Oy (2009) (Finland) (DVD)
• fX Network (2010) (USA) (TV)

Special Effects

• Zoic Studios (visual effects)

Other Companies

• Central Casting  extras casting
• Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment  camera dollies
• Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment  hydrascope telescoping crane arm
• Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment  stabilized remote camera systems
• Direct Tools & Fasteners  expendables
• Executive Assurance  security
• Film Art  artwork
• Filmtools  expendables
• Gala Catering  catering
• Movie Movers  hair and make-up trailers
• Movie Movers  production trailers
• Movie Movers  star trailers
• On Tour Productions  grip and lighting equipment
• Panavision  cameras and lenses
• Paramount Transportation Services  transportation services
• Performing Animal Troupe  animals provided by
• Picture Mill, The  titles
• Reel Team, The  loop group
• Sony Pictures Stock Footage  stock footage
• Sony Pictures Studios  sound post-production
• Star Waggons  cast trailers
• Technicolor Digital Intermediates  digital intermediate

Also Known As:

MPAA:

Rated R for crude and sexual content, and pervasive language

Runtime:

98 min | 106 min (unrated version)

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Spanish

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

SDDS | DTS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:14A (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Ontario) | USA:R (certificate #44260) | Ireland:16 | UK:15 | Singapore:M18 | Philippines:R-18 (MTRCB) | Australia:MA | Sweden:7 | Portugal:M/12 | Peru:14 | Finland:K-13 | New Zealand:R16 | Netherlands:12 | South Korea:18 | Ireland:18 (DVD rating) | Italy:VM14 | Argentina:13 | Iceland:12 (re-rated) | Iceland:7 (original rating) | Iceland:L (video rating) | Mexico:B15 | Malaysia:(Banned)

Filming Locations:

1987 Midwick Dr, Altadena, California, USA

Company:

Columbia Pictures

Trivia:

Director Cameo: [Adam McKay]One of the bosses that interviews Dale and Brennan.

Goofs:

Factual errors: When Derek gets his golf club at the Prestige Worldwide premier, he say's he got a Callaway 3-wood, but in reality, he got a driver, which is a much larger golf club.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Nancy Huff:Hey, Brennan.
Brennan Huff:Mom, I'm watching the thing...
Nancy Huff:Yeah. I'm leaving.
Brennan Huff:...with the lady.
Nancy Huff:Okay, I'll be home around 11.
Brennan Huff:Bye, Mom.
Nancy Huff:Bye, Brennan.
aerobic instructress on TV:Let's slowly get those hips up.
Brennan Huff:[shoves right hand down his pants to masturbate]
[...]

Movie Connections:

References "Speed Racer" (1967)

Soundtrack:

You're on My Mind

A combination of Fergie and Jesus…Step Brothers

I never in my wildest dreams thought I'd ever utter these words about a Will Ferrell vehicle, especially one with Adam McKay as collaborator—besides that Pearl video The Landlord on the internet last year—but here it is. Step Brothers is an absolutely hilarious film. From end to end, I don't remember the last time I've laughed this hard, without stop. This is what Ferrell needs to do, no more of those bio-spoofs of idiots that fall flat due to their tired joke. He is unstoppable as a part of an ensemble when he doesn't have to be the center of attention for an hour and half. The guy is obnoxious, and while funny, the more freedom he gets, the more annoying he is. Having a guy like John C. Reilly to play off of helps rein him in and give the audience a break, allowing the jokes to breath and not become stifled by the monotony of his schtick. Like Old School before it, Ferrell kills in smaller doses. He has shown me that ability again here and whereas I won't even keep Anchorman or Talladega Nights on screen when flipping through the television, I seriously can't wait to revisit this one again.

There is no bloated plot involved or even a love interest to distract from the comedy like the previous two "Everyman" entries in the Ferrell/McKay tag team's canon. I do believe that is the most refreshing aspect here; they finally see that you don't need a contrived romantic bent to be successful, we as an audience don't need to see the schlubby guy get the attractive girl, that is a cliché used way too often. We go to see a film like this to be entertained and to cause us to wet our pants with unstoppable laughter. As a result there are no lulls as even when the two stars begin to see how they must shape up and become adults for once, the awkwardness brings the laughs as well.

Step Brothers isn't winning any Oscars any time soon. With a premise involving the union of two older professionals, both of whom have 40-year old sons still living at home, devoid of responsibility, and lacking serious occupations, what do you really expect? Nancy Huff, (Mary Steenburgen showing that she is still around Hollywood), and Robert Doback, (Richard Jenkins letting his funny side out to complement the wonderful dramatic turn he gave in this year's The Visitor), are in love and perfect for one another. Their sons, unbeknownst to them at first, are also soulmates in the best friend platonic way. Completely the same person, right down to the hiding things in the kitchen while sleepwalking at night, Brennan and Dale are children trapped in adult bodies who waited forty years to be brought together. The chemistry between Ferrell and Reilly is unstoppable on screen, they are having fun, they must be improvising, and truthfully not a second falls flat.

With so many gags, one would think it'd all seem a bit disparate and thrown together, but the filmmakers and stars have sewn everything up nicely. You want a rap video that is the most offensive thing you'll hear all year? Get Brennan and Dale to create a music talent agency. You want an a cappella rendition of Guns N' Roses? Give Brennan a cocky, pompous brother who can afford singing/voice listens for his entire family—absolutely priceless, and Adam Scott kills in this role, "Pow!". You need some gratuitous fake nudity? Give Ferrell a chance to rub his genitalia on Reilly's drumset. Check, check, and check. These guys cover all their bases, not to mention the swearing quota. I am surprised that they approved an R-rating here because it is so vulgar. The fact that a couple lines from the trailer didn't make the final cut shows that the actors must have improvised and done multiple takes of each scene. As a result, I'm sure they all tried to be as creatively crass as they could and to fantastic result. Some of the gems that spew forth ever so naturally are one-liners that will be repeated over and over again.

Really, it is these vulgarities that make the film that much more enjoyable to me. I think that McKay and Ferrell took a page out of the Apatow machine's book realizing a hard-R can and will sell. No one holds back at all, some of the sarcasm even makes the characters cry because it is so harsh. I love this aspect as it plays into the fact that these are 8-year old adults. Their excess of childlike exuberance and simplicity of mind and life—and let's not forget the way their parents react by either screaming and going to the Cheesecake Factory bar or coddling them as only a mother can do—adds to the absurdity of the situation and the laughs. Dale and Brennan fight, bicker, and eventually do everything together because they aren't just stepbrothers, no they are brothers for life in terms of their internal makeup. Think you and your sibling growing up in grade school, multiply that to the nth degree in terms of sex, violence, and language, and maybe you will be able to imagine what's in store for you once you sit down at the theatre. Just don't forget to stay after the first short run of end credits as the best jungle gym park brawl ever is awaiting you. Those kids didn't even have a chance.