Miller's Crossing

Rating: Null/10 (27 August 2017)

Blackmailed into smuggling drugs across the Mexican border, a small-time drug dealer lures three social misfits to pose as his family to avoid suspicion in this energetic comedy starring Jason Sudeikis, Jennifer Aniston, Emma Roberts and Will Poulter. The zest of the film lies with the principal cast, all of whom are in top form. The film particularly comes alive as the foursome jump back and forth between assuming family stereotype roles from overprotective parent, to concerned sister to confused son and so on. There are also several great moments as they keep running into a vacationing police officer and his wife, who turn out to be less conservative than they first appear, while the likes of Luis Guzmán and Ed Helms have great cameo roles. As a comedy, the film is nevertheless uneven with several gags that are telegraphed way too far in advance (walking in on the kissing; the spider bite) and the antagonists are a bit too comical to be fearsome, but when the film does work, it shines. There is a hilarious line regarding a local Apple Store and some great running gags. Fans of Jennifer Aniston will probably take interest in her striptease scene, though the best gag with her happens during the closing credits. Flawed as it may be, 'We're the Millers' is certainly an amusing look at four lonely individuals who, quite by chance, form a really good surrogate family.