Are You Here (2013)

Two childhood best friends, one a superficial womanizer and the other a barely functioning bipolar, embark on a road trip back to their hometown after one of them learns his estranged father has died.

Director:

Matthew Weiner

Writer:

Matthew Weiner

Stars:

Owen Wilson, Zach Galifianakis, Amy Poehler

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Owen Wilson	...	Steve Dallas
Jay Gates	...	Ramada Waiter
Jason Davis	...	George
Melissa Rauch	...	Marie
Melanie Ratcliff	...	Attractive Neighbor
Zach Galifianakis	...	Ben Baker
Naomi Lavette	...	Erin (as Naomi LaVette)
Lauren Lapkus	...	Delia Shepard
Alana De La Garza	...	Victoria Riolobos (as Alana de la Garza)
Greg Cromer	...	Kyle Robertson
Paul Schulze	...	Dave Harken
Matthew Cornwell	...	Stu
Bridget Gethins	...	Patty
Michael Genevie	...	Minister
Amy Poehler	...	Terry Coulter

Storyline

Ben Baker is a man-child who lives on his friend's couch getting high. His friend, Steve Dallas, is a moderately successful weather reporter who is living a superficial life. When Ben receives word that his father has died, Steve drives him home and they re-connect with Ben's successful and driven sister Terri and hippie step-mother Angela who is the same age as they are. The reading of the will drives Ben to come up with a new purpose in life, but those around him don't prove to be very supportive, and then they all re-examine their own lives.

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Plot Keywords:

no opening credits | amish | small town | local tv | childhood friends | 

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Taglines:

Friendship... there's nothing in it for anybody.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language, drug use and some sexual content/nudity

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 August 2014 (Latvia)

Also Known As:

You Are here

Filming Locations:

North Carolina, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Gilbert Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

114 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

The television station in the movie is WJZ in Baltimore, Maryland. Some of the filming was done in the station located on "TV Hill" in West Baltimore.

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Goofs

When Owen Wilson is driving in the PA town a state route sign can be seen. The route number is inside a circle. If he were in PA the route number would be in a keystone.

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Quotes

Ben Baker: How can you live here without looking for a high place to jump from?

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Connections

References Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)

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Soundtracks

Dropkick Me, Jesus
Written by Paul Craft
Performed by Bobby Bare
Published by © 1976 Screen Gems-EMI Music Inc. and Black Sheep Music
All rights controlled and administered by Screen Gems-EMI Music Inc.
All rights reserved. International copyright secured. Used by permission.
Courtesy of RCA Nashville
By arrangement with Sony Music Licensing

User Reviews

Comedy? Not exactly

Prior to watching "Are You Here" I'd gotten led to think that it was a comedy. It turns out that the movie's more of a dramedy. It's not clear whether the movie's trying to be a straightforward comedy and simply comes out more serious, or if they intended it thusly. Don't get me wrong, it's not a bad movie. Zach Galifianakis's stoner is a funny guy, the perfect contrast to Owen Wilson's strait-laced meteorologist. Still, I would've expected more from this combo plus Amy Poehler, especially when directed by the creator of "Mad Men". It was a surprise to see Melissa Rauch (Bernadette on "The Big Bang Theory"), Edward Herrmann and Peter Bogdanovich.

You can't argue with what Galifianakis's character said about pollution.