The Joneses (2009)

A seemingly perfect family moves into a suburban neighborhood, but when it comes to the truth as to why they're living there, they don't exactly come clean with their neighbors.

Director:

Derrick Borte

Writers:

Randy T. Dinzler (story), Derrick Borte

Stars:

David Duchovny, Demi Moore, Amber Heard

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
David Duchovny	...	Steve Jones
Demi Moore	...	Kate Jones
Amber Heard	...	Jenn Jones
Ben Hollingsworth	...	Mick Jones
Gary Cole	...	Larry Symonds
Glenne Headly	...	Summer Symonds
Lauren Hutton	...	KC
Chris Williams	...	Billy
Christine Evangelista	...	Naomi Madsen
Robert Pralgo	...	Alex Bayner (as Rob Pralgo)
Tiffany Morgan	...	Melanie Bayner
Joe Narciso	...	Henry
Ric Reitz	...	Bob Jones
L. Warren Young	...	Detective Gardner
Hayes Mercure	...	Tim Madsen

Storyline

"The Joneses", a social commentary on our consumerist society. Perfect couple Steve and Kate Jones, and their gorgeous teen-aged children Jenn and Mick, are the envy of their posh, suburban neighborhood filled with McMansions and all the trappings of the upper middle class. Kate is the ultimate trend setter - beautiful, sexy, dressed head-to-toe in designer labels. Steve is the admired successful businessman who has it all: a gorgeous wife, big house and an endless supply of high-tech toys. Jenn and Mick rule their new school as they embody all that is hip and trendy - cool clothes, fast cars and the latest gadgets. But as the neighbors try to keep up with the Joneses, none are prepared for the truth about this all- too perfect family.

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Plot Keywords:

gadget | school | envy | party | suburb | 

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Taglines:

Some families are too good to be true

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language, some sexual content, teen drinking and drug use

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 April 2010 (Ireland)

Also Known As:

Amor por contrato

Filming Locations:

Alpharetta, Georgia, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$5,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$509,689 (USA) (16 April 2010)

Gross:

$1,474,508 (USA) (9 July 2010)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Echo Lake Productions (I), Joneses, The, Premiere Picture

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Most of the High School scenes were filmed at Carlton J. Kell High School, in Marietta, Georgia (USA). Most of the background students in the school scenes were actual junior and senior students of Kell.

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Goofs

In the middle segment of the car crash, the film is reversed (the car spins the wrong direction).

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Quotes

[first lines]
Steve Jones: Man, this thing rides smooth!
Kate Jones: It's very nice.
Steve Jones: Yes, it's like riding on the ass of an angel. I mean, I wish I could have sold a crossover like this, I wouldn't have been able to keep them in stock.

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Connections

References The Wizard of Oz (1939)

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Soundtracks

"Play"
by Stephen Fretwell

User Reviews

Great film - see it if you like things like Thank You for Smoking

One of the few times I've been able to leave a full-price theater thinking that it was totally worth it. I hadn't seen any previews or trailers (watching TV on the web means that my ad exposure is *very* skewed), so I had only the teensy summary on the movie theater website to go by. Thus, I can't speak to others' criticisms of the movie not living up to the hype.

It's not super-dark, and I don't think that it goes far enough to be considered truly satirical, particularly given the fact that some of the characters experience a type of redemption, but it's one of the most self-aware movies I've seen in ages.

I tried to think of more movies like TYFS to include for comparison, but am coming up short. Therefore, all I can say is that I'd love to see more movies that merge cynical/comedic/dramatic elements so thoroughly.