Step Brothers (2008)

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

Director:

Adam McKay

Writers:

Will Ferrell (screenplay), Adam McKay (screenplay)

Stars:

Will Ferrell, John C. Reilly, Mary Steenburgen

3 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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

Storyline

Brennan Huff and Dale Doback are both about 40 when Brennan's mom and Dale's dad marry. The sons still live with the parents so they must now share a room. Initial antipathy threatens the household's peace and the parents' relationship. Dad lays down the law: both slackers have a month to find a job. Out of the job search and their love of music comes a pact that leads to friendship but more domestic disarray compounded by the boys' sleepwalking. Hovering nearby are Brennan's successful brother and his lonely wife: the brother wants to help sell his step-father's house, the wife wants Dale's attention, and the newlyweds want to retire and sail the seven seas. Can harmony come from the discord?

---

Plot Keywords:

dysfunctional family | sibling rivalry | original story | slacker | friendship | 

---

Taglines:

They grow up so fast.

---

Genres:

Comedy

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for crude and sexual content, and pervasive language

Did You Know?

Trivia

During Dale's job interview, Ken Jeong says he knows of a catering company that is looking for people. This is a reference to Ken Jeong's character (Alan Duck) in the series Party Down (2009), who owns Party Down Catering. Adam Scott is also in Party Down (2009), as a caterer.

---

Goofs

When Derrick is talking to Robert about selling the house and Nancy is by the sink/dishwasher, Derrick's wife is standing by the microwave, holding her glass of wine. As Nancy is talking to them, there's no one there. The shot cuts back again to the guys, she's standing there again, and then back to Nancy and now Derrick's wife is standing by the dishwasher.

---

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 shoves his hand down his pants]
[...]

---

Crazy Credits

There are two additional short scenes, one during the credits and one afterward. They are: Brennan and Dale arrive in a helicopter to have a rematch fight with the junior high bullies. Brennan and Dale suffering another joint bout of sleepwalking, colliding into one another before heading out of a door.

---

Alternate Versions

The unrated version has 8 minutes of additional footage not in the theatrical release.

---

Connections

Referenced in ESPN College Basketball: Arizona vs. Arizona State (2021)

---

Soundtracks

Under Pressure
Written by David Bowie, Freddie Mercury, Roger Taylor, John Deacon and Brian May
Produced and Performed by Orr Rebhun (as Or Ravhon) and Amir Efrat

User Reviews

Step Laughter

This was quite a funny movie. Of course the entire premise is utterly ridiculous, two "grown men" ages 39 and 40, still job-less, living with their parents? It seemed to me that these two guys acted like 9 year-olds, but that is what makes it funny. I think this movie was even funnier than Talladega Nights, Ferrell & Reilly's first collaboration.

There was a very thin and outrageous plot, but it lent itself to tons of improvisation, and in turn creating some of the ridiculous scenes, circumstances, and dialog. And seeing Mary Steenburgen curse like a sailor was hysterical. Ferrell and Reilly both play their characters to the hilt, as does Adam Scott, the evil younger brother, and his insane wife played by Kathryn Hahn. Overall there is an equal amount of slapstick, dialog, and potty humor (well okay, probably a bit heavier on the potty humor).

Though the movie itself is very hysterical, there are also some equally good bloopers, cut scenes, etc. on the DVD bonus materials. These are as hysterical as the movie was. I highly recommend renting the DVD and watching the extra features.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

25 July 2008 (USA)

Also Known As:

Step Brothers

Filming Locations:

Veterans Hospital - 1611 Plummer Street, North Hills, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$65,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$30,940,732, 27 July 2008

Gross USA:

$100,468,793

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$128,108,211

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures, Relativity Media, Apatow Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min 106 min (unrated) 105 min (extended DVD edition)

Sound Mix:

SDDS DTS Dolby Digital Dolby Atmos

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1