Movie Review: People Like Us Starring Chris Pine #PeopleLikeUs

People Like Us (in theaters June 29th) explores the amazing journey (based on true events) of hot shot salesman Sam, who, in the span of one day finds his job in jeopardy and finds out that his Dad, whom he has only seen a handful of times over the past years, has died.

He travels to his childhood home with his girlfriend and receives a cool welcome from his Mother, played by Michelle Pfeiffer.  The next day he is contacted by his father's lawyer, whom he meets with.  After this meeting, he finds out that his father wants him to give $150,000 to someone he has never heard of (meet Frankie, who turns out to be his half-sister he had no idea existed), which is really what starts his journey of discovery and growth.

As Sam's personal life seems to be unraveling, he is also developing into a better person.  I loved this aspect of the movie.  While he is at it, Frankie (played by Elizabeth Banks, who was amazing as well) is surviving with her own problems, including her 11 year old son, Josh, who is both smart and getting into trouble in school.  (I dare you NOT to find Josh endearing)

One of my favorite scenes of the movie is when Sam shares the Six Rules that his father taught him with Josh (sorry I can't recall all of them, but here is what I do remember in no particular order):

 - Always Lean In (Speaking of committing to something all the way)
 - Some doors will be open, but a lot will be closed, so make sure you have a good knock
 - Don't shi* where you eat (metaphorically speaking)
 - Everything you think is important isn't, and everything you think isn't important, is

The rules certainly give us something to think about.  :)

The acting was wonderful, as was the heartwarming and very touching story.  The last scene of the movie was very sweet and I know there was more than one teary eye in the theater.  I saw the movie with a few friends, and we all agreed that the movie was wonderful, but that is was a lot heavier (dramatic) than expected.  Still love it and recommend it, but go knowing that not all is light and comedic in this story.

My one and only real complaint with the movie is that Sam's legal problems pertaining to his job were not resolved, so that aspect felt a little unfinished to me.

Synopsis from DreamWorks:

From DreamWorks Pictures comes “People Like Us,” a drama/comedy about family, inspired by true events, starring Chris Pine (“Star Trek”) as Sam, a twenty-something, fast-talking salesman, whose latest deal collapses on the day he learns that his father has suddenly died. Against his wishes, Sam is called home, where he must put his father's estate in order and reconnect with his estranged family. In the course of fulfilling his father's last wishes, Sam uncovers a startling secret that turns his entire world upside down: He has a 30-year-old sister Frankie whom he never knew about (Elizabeth Banks). As their relationship develops, Sam is forced to rethink everything he thought he knew about his family—and re-examine his own life choices in the process.

 The film also stars Olivia Wilde, Michael Hall D’Addario, Philip Baker Hall, Mark Duplass and Michelle Pfeiffer.

 A DreamWorks Pictures presentation, “People Like Us” is directed by Alex Kurtzman, produced by Roberto Orci, Bobby Cohen and Clayton Townsend, and written by Alex Kurtzman & Roberto Orci & Jody Lambert. The film releases in U.S. theaters on June 29, 2012.

Starring: 
Chris Pine, Elizabeth Banks, Olivia Wilde, Michael Hall D’Addario, Philip Baker Hall, Mark Duplass and Michelle Pfeiffer

Clip From The Movie:





*Disclosure: I was invited to see a sneak peek of the movie People Like Us.