From Friends, to family

Rating: 6/10 (16 September 2013)

After watching 'We're the Millers', I came to the realisation that Jennifer Aniston has had the most success out of the main cast of popular 90′s show 'Friends' after it went off air in 2004. Whilst David Schwimmer directs and occasionally lends his voice to animations such as 'Madagascar', most have rarely been on the big-screen since, perhaps peaking with the sit- com.
Whilst Aniston never veers far from her portrayal as Rachael when acting in most roles, it seems to have been a winning formula for her as she stars in a mixture of romantic comedies. In terms of putting aces in places, 'We're the Millers' excels at placing their actors as characters best suited to them which really helps pack the humour with an extra punch.
When local pot dealer, Dave (Jason Sudeikis), is robbed of his drug dealers money and stash he finds himself forced by his boss to smuggle a 'smidgen' of weed across the Mexican border with a family he assembled, as compensation, purposefully finding people to fit every family stereotype. The teenage girl with an attitude (Emma Roberts), the awkward son (Will Poulter) and the loved up wife (Aniston). Their motives for joining his escapades vary from being an out of luck stripper to a runaway child. Soon, things get out of control as they jump in a recreational vehicle, leaving a trail of madness in their wake. Along the way they are pursued by a drug cartel and meet a family of three who they repeatedly cross paths with.
The film reminded me of a more adult re-imagining of the 2006 Robin Williams outing, 'R.V' and whilst the Williams movie was based around him trying to bring his family closer together again this road trip was more of a personal journey for all involved in this film. Although it was obvious where the plot would go in the sense of the protagonist being a single, lonely drug dealer finding his missing link, the journey throughout was light and, at times, sentimental yet not overbearingly so as it kept the gags rolling thick and fast.
Despite Ed Helms being popular due to his recent achievements in 'The Hangover' trilogy I couldn't help but imagine Bob Odenkirk of Breaking Bad fame (Better Call Saul!) being the most ideal match for the part of Brad Gurdlinger. Maybe this is just down to my current addiction to that specific series yet Helms still performs well as the dirty drug dealer.
Additionally, the sporadic use of many references to popular television and films help to elevate the humour such as mentions to 'Dexter' and Christopher Nolan's 'The Dark Knight Rises', both immensely prominent in their respective mediums.
Regardless of the fact that some of the wisecracks are predictable. Some are pleasantly unanticipated as the family find themselves in odd situations that have laughable, unexpected resolutions including a scene where Aniston proves she's 'still got it'. Considering I went in with no preconceptions, I came out of the cinema content that I'd given this film the chance it undoubtedly deserved as it's truly one of the best comedic offerings of the year.