People Like Us (2012)

Plot so thin, it passes unnoticed.

Fantastic!

There's a more than satisfactory amount of boom-boom in the movie's trim running time.

Just intense enough to provide a much-needed diversion, just lightweight enough to make you forget about it soon after it’s over. It’s not exactly “good,” per se, but it does what it sets out to do in terms of putting us on edge, which makes it … successful?

There are moments in our life, decisions we must make that define who we are. Sam (Chris Pine) must face a myriad of these in a short period of time. Sam works as a corporate barterer who has gotten himself into legal and financial problems. When his father dies, Sam leaves with his wife/girlfriend? (Olivia Wilde) to reluctantly attend his dad's funeral. His mother (Michelle Pfeiffer) is cold and distant.Sam's father was a record producer who had a daughter, Frankie (Elizabeth Banks) from another relationship. Sam finds this out from the attorney. He is instructed to give Frankie and her son (Joseph Wise) $150,000 dad had designated for them. Faced with financial problems of his own, and not knowing how to go about this, Sam is reluctant to hand over the money, but manages to work his way into their hectic lives. The bulk of the movie is consumed by us waiting for the moment of truth when Frankie finds out Sam is her half-brother.The formula is cliche. Chris Pine was less than stellar, but the supporting cast was great. The heart warming ending is predictable. If you simply like a feel good movie with light drama and humor...and who doesn't, count this one in and don't forget the Puffs.Parental Guide: 1 f-bomb, minor sex scene, no nudity. Minor sex talk.

Definitely a different type of movie that I'm used to seeing. A predictable movie although, a story of a man who finds out he has a half sister from an affair his father had unknowingly.There was a plot that didn't have any substance to the movie, which was the main character Sam, being in legal trouble. Throughout the movie, lawyers were calling him and he just ignores the calls the whole movie. I guess this was meant to have a sense that Sam would leave LA and go back to NYC, or possibly go to prison, but by the end of the movie, that plot is left unresolved.All in all, its a decent flick that is enjoyable to watch, but I wouldn't watch it twice.

I was pleasantly surprised when I finally committed to sitting down and watching this movie. I'm a huge fan of Michelle so naturally I knew I would get around to it, though the premise made me uneasy. The story essentially revolves around Sam (Chris pine) who learns his father has died and left him a shaving case filled with money to give to his half sister, Frankie (elizabeth banks) that he never knew existed. During this journey we learn all about what in his eyes was a very unhappy childhood, the estrangement with his parents (Michelle Pfeiffer is his mother), some obvious relationship issues he has with his current girlfriend (Olivia Wilde), and the difficult issues Frankie and her son have. I felt the acting was top notch for the most part. Loved Michelle as I always do. The only issue I had with the film were some of the unanswered questions and certain aspects that seemed less believable. Where was Frankie's mom in all this? Why would Jerry (Sam's dad) be so detached with him yet make the effort to reunite the kids on Sundays? Why would that detachment between Sam and his father mean distance between Sam and his mother? What the hell ended up happening with everyone trying to arrest Sam at the end? There is this shift where you get some insight that Sam may not be all that great of a guy... The argument he has with his girlfriend, troubles at work, yet it was never really addressed... Just he made up with everyone and yeah, happy ever after getting to know his sister. They delved a bit into Lillian's heart condition yet didn't fully explore why she wasn't seeking treatment and why she finally agreed to it, that convo even after she was back home never happened.Despite all that, the movie was enjoyable and thought provoking - which are movies that are rarely made these days. So if you can forgive the questions that arise once it's finished and enjoy it for what it is, it's worth it.

its basic virtue is honesty. as root of acting. like measure of scriptwriter courage to propose an ordinary story, touching and profound for the science to seems be a confession without any make-up. source is a real fact but not this element is relevant in this case but the art to transmit the message in a clear manner. a film about fight against past traces, family, choices and happiness essence. a reflection - film, a question - movie. and something else - occasion for few actors to do a splendid work. not a surprise but the story has many pitfalls and the sense of right way is admirable for build each character. a honest film - that is the word. and a special feeling after its end. like a form of wake-up.