The Joneses


3/4

Starring: David Duchovny, Demi Moore, Ben Hollingsworth, Amber Heard

Rated R for Language, Some Sexual Content, Teen Drinking and Drug Use

Meet the Joneses; the perfect American family.  There’s the Dad, Steve (Duchovny), Mom Kate (Moore), and the kids, Mick (Hollingsworth) and Jenn (Heard).  They’re rich, stylish, and taking their new hometown by storm.  But they’re not a real family…they’re a marketing unit designed to get people to buy, buy, buy!

“The Joneses” is not only a satire of salesmanship and our consumer-oriented culture, but it’s also a satire of modern families.  While functioning as a family (even though they’re not), the four team members have the same sort of frictions (especially the unexpected romance between Steve and Kate), and seeing this filtered through a business-like setting sets the film up for some witty insights.

The acting is first rate.  David Duchovny is solid in his low-key way as the rookie.  He was selected by Kate (who is his boss), and after some prodding, his numbers go farther than anyone else in the unit.  Yet on a personal level, he’s feeling very conflicted because he’s falling for Kate, for whom this is strictly business.  Demi Moore gives her best performance in a long time as the real head of the household, who ends up having to act like a real mom and wife.  Ben Hollingsworth, Amber Heard and Gary Cole provide solid support.

It’s fascinating to see the filmmakers take advantage of all the creative opportunities that this premise allows.  It’s undoubtedly satirical, yet it’s also intelligent and character-based.  The characters are sufficiently developed, and the actors ably convey how their personal and professional lives can become the same.  It doesn’t shy away from drama as well (particularly in the end).

What’s especially interesting is that we get to hear their thoughts about the deception that they’re involved in.  It’s pretty sleazy, and they know it.  Steve especially has a lot of qualms about what they’re doing, but not until the end does he realize how damaging their job is; not just to them but to other people.

The film is not without its flaws.  The most egregious of these is the subplot involving Jenn.  There are plenty of directions to take, yet all they can think of is having her sleep with the husband of someone in the neighborhood.  It’s not satirical, nor does it have anything to do with the storyline or its thesis; it doesn’t fit.  The final scene leaves some big questions unanswered, but that’s a nitpick.

The bottom line is that this is a sharp satire that does its job effectively and with style.  It’s a lot of fun, and you’ll be wondering how you can get a job like this.

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