People Like Us (2012)

While settling his recently deceased father's estate, a salesman discovers he has a sister whom he never knew about, leading both siblings to re-examine their perceptions about family and life choices.

Director:

Alex Kurtzman

Writers:

Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci,

Stars:

Chris Pine, Elizabeth Banks, Michelle Pfeiffer

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Chris Pine	...	Sam
Elizabeth Banks	...	Frankie
Michael Hall D'Addario	...	Josh
Michelle Pfeiffer	...	Lillian
Olivia Wilde	...	Hannah
Mark Duplass	...	Ted
Sara Mornell	...	Dr. Amanda
Philip Baker Hall	...	Ike Rafferty
Dean Chekvala	...	Jerry
Barbara Eve Harris	...	Mrs. Haney
David Burrus	...	Derek
Joseph Wise	...	Danny
Devin Brochu	...	Simon
Gabriela Milla	...	Lucy
Abhi Sinha	...	Manager

Storyline

Sam has been keeping his distance from his father. When his father dies, he goes home for the funeral, and to see if his father left him any money so that he could bail himself out of his latest jam. But he learns that his father left all of his money to someone named Josh Davis. He finds him and learns that he is the troubled son of a woman named Frankie. Sam thinks she is his sister. He doesn't give the money cause he needs it. He makes contact with her but doesn't tell her who he is. Eventually they become friends and even helps Josh with his problems.

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Plot Keywords:

money | funeral | three word title | therapy | deceit | 

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Taglines:

Find your family.

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for language, some drug use and brief sexuality

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 June 2012 (USA)

Also Known As:

Welcome to People

Filming Locations:

Claremont, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$16,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$4,255,423 (USA) (29 June 2012)

Gross:

$12,412,386 (USA) (17 August 2012)

Company Credits

Production Co:

DreamWorks SKG, Kurtzman Orci Paper Products, Reliance Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

114 min

Sound Mix:

SDDS Datasat Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

When sitting down with Michelle Pfeiffer to discuss the character of Lillian, Alex Kurtzman decided on a more naturalistic, slightly disheveled look for the role. As he described it: "this woman probably hasn't put on make-up in a year. She's been sitting by her dying husband's side and when we first meet her in the movie, that's where she's at. If we're too glamorous in this portrayal, it'll ring totally false." Pfeiffer agreed wholeheartedly and altered her otherwise glamorous image to play the grieving widow.

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Goofs

In the very early stage of the movie Sam enters James room. You can see from the window which Sam sits by that it is night time, but they leave the building it is morning time.

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Quotes

Sam: Six Rules: 1. If you like something because you think other people are gonna like it, it's a sure bet no one will. 2. Most doors in the world are closed, so if you find one you want to get into: you damn well better have an interesting knock. 3. Everything you think is important, isn't. And everything you think is unimportant, is. 4. Don't shit where you eat. 5. Lean into it: the outcome doesn't matter. What matters is that you're there for it. 6. Never sleep with someone who has more problems ...

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Connections

References The Fly (1986)

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Soundtracks

"Jamming Late At Night"
Written by Martin Haene, Joerg Sieghart
Performed by Martin Haene, Joerg Sieghart

User Reviews

It's People Like All Of Us

My wife and I saw this film without having any idea of what it is a about. All we knew was some guy's father died and he went through a life decision change. For all we knew that meant he could have become gay (he didn't, and it had nothing to do with that).

This is an adult family film. It's PG-13 rating is not for nudity, swearing, or violence. It is rated that because it is a mature look at dysfunctional family problems. So while little of that is shown, they are referred to through the dialog, thus making it a mature film for teens and up.

From the opening credits of Dreamworks, the artistry of the film was evident. Instead of the usual music for the kid fishing from the moon, we hear conversations in a recording studio. In our opinion, every actor and actress gave outstanding performances. While the topic could have had a heavy handed approach, it did not. It was deftly edited and paced.

In summation, this movie was art because the content was all heart. I have deliberately avoided talking about specifics because I want all viewers to be as surprised as we were in the viewing. I give it a ten, and intend to watch it again.