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

Workaholic and sleazy businessman Sam is extremely reluctant to leave New York and go to his father's funeral. When he finally arrives, it becomes apparent that his mother and girlfriend are disappointed in him for "running away" whenever times get too emotional. Soon afterwards, he discovers that his father was sleeping around with another woman, and that Sam actually has a half-sister whom he never knew existed. His father has willed her $150,000 and has left Sam with the task of getting it to her. Frankie is a bartender also wrapped up in work just like her half-brother, and she has had a bad past and has now been left with the job of being a single parent to her troublemaker son, Josh. Josh is eleven years old but curses like a sailor and constantly makes fart jokes and sex jokes, making him popular with the bad kid crowd at school, although behind the act, Josh is depressed and lonely. Now Sam has to find a way to fix the past and reunite his mom, nephew and half-sister together ...

---

Plot Keywords:

salesman | child psychologist | alcohol | caught in a lie | record collection | 

---

Taglines:

Find your family.

---

Genres:

Drama

---

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

Sound Mix:

SDDS Datasat Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Post production was temporarily delayed while additional scenes featuring Michelle Pfeiffer, Chris Pine and Olivia Wilde could be shot in Los Angeles in July 2011.

---

Goofs

When Sam and his mom are sitting on the couch, after the operation of Lillian, in the camera shot from the left she rubs her head with her fingers. Then the camera shot turns to the right, in this shot she isn't rubbing her head.

---

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 ...

---

Connections

Featured in The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Episode #20.166 (2012)

---

Soundtracks

Spanish Bombs
Written by Joe Strummer, Mick Jones, Paul Simonon and Topper Headon
Performed by The Clash

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.