The Joneses

Plot synopsis:
Kate, Steve, Mick, and Jenn Jones move into an upscale suburb under the pretense of being a typical family relocating because of the changing nature of Kate's and Steve's careers. In reality, Kate is the leader of a team of stealth marketers, professional salespeople who disguise product placement as a daily routine. Their clothing, accessories, furniture, and even food are carefully planned and stocked by various companies to create visibility in a desirable consumer market. While Kate's team is highly effective, Steve is new to the team, Jenn is a closet nymphomaniac with a penchant for hitting on her fake fathers, and a 30-day review is fast approaching.
The team quickly ingratiates itself into the community, slowly shifting from displaying products to recommending them. Soon, local stores and businesses are stocking products based on the Joneses' trend-setting styles. However, at the end of the 30-day review, Steve discovers that he has the lowest sales numbers of the team, and Kate's job is endangered unless he can get his numbers up before the next review in 60 days. Eventually, Steve begins to find a sales tactic that works by playing on the fears of his neighbors and sympathizing with their dull, repetitive, unfulfilled careers. As someone who is frustrated with his job and disconnected from his fake "family," Steve turned to their products to keep himself entertained. When he recognizes this same pattern in his neighbors, his sales begin to steadily increase as he starts pitching products as the solution for suburban boredom and generating product "buzz" through unwitting ropers.
The team's dynamics become more complicated when Kate applies herself to the technique as well. Realizing that they can boost sales by perfecting their fake family dynamic to sell the image of a lifestyle, the lines between acting and reality start to break down. Things also get more complicated when Mick finds himself growing closer to an unpopular girl at the high school, Naomi (Christine Evangelista), in whom he can confide, while Jenn's flirtation with Alex Bayner (Robert Pralgo) (one of the men in the neighborhood) raises the suspicions of the neighbors. The team's cover is almost blown at several times: once when an old acquaintance of Steve's recognizes him at a restaurant, again when Jenn's indiscretions nearly expose her real age, and after a party where Mick markets alcohol to minors.
Eventually, each member of the team finds that the constant pretense slowly erodes their individual desires. Jenn's dreams of running away with a rich, older man come to a close when she realizes that she was being used by Alex. Mick has a crisis of conscience when Naomi gets into a car accident after drinking too much of a wine cooler that the family was marketing to teens. Worse, when he makes a pass at Naomi's brother, he punches Mick in rage.
After creating nearly record-breaking numbers, Steve is offered the chance to join an "icon" unit alone. He refuses, knowing that this is Kate's dream and because he believes that the "family" can do it together. When Steve's closest friend in the community, Larry (Gary Cole), reveals that he's going to lose his house because he's overextended his credit, Steve tries again to see if Kate wants something more than a pretend marriage. She rebuffs him, and the next day Steve discovers to his horror that Larry has committed suicide over the debts. Grief-stricken, Steve confesses to the community about the real nature of his job. With their covers blown, the rest of the Joneses leave quickly and are reassigned to a new home. Steve refuses the offer to join an icon cell and tracks the family down to their new location. There, he reunites with Kate and tries one last time to convince her to leave. Though hesitant she follows him out of town and agrees to meet his family in Arizona.

Tags: satire

Review:
He's not completely full of crap, so it takes a little while for him to find his bearings selling the lifestyle he and the Jones' leads, but at the same time he also has actual not-fake feelings for Kate, which throws a monkey wrench in things, especially his oncoming "icon" status.A lot of this sounds good, but the reason it's not really a top-shelf satire is that it just stops short just when it looks like it will take off.
This also goes for supporting characters, like the one the talented Gary Cole plays as the Joneses next-door neighbor, who is such a consumer whore that he doesn't see what harm he's causing to his busy-body wife and marriage in general (his downfall is very predictable).
Demi Moore hasn't been this appealing (perhaps ironically so considering her cold business-like character) in years; Duchovney does well as a genuinely good person who happens to be working like a con-man; Amber Heard is the newest hot girl on the block seemingly genetically engineered between Kiera Knightley and Kristen Stewart's good looks.
Such is the deft, skillful balance achieved in "The Joneses." I won't mention a single plot point, because the less you know about this film -- other than it being an excellent film-going experience -- the more enjoyment you'll have in the theater.It's a tribute to David Duchovny and Demi Moore that they apply their considerable skills to breathe real life into what could otherwise have been caricatures in the hands of less-talented actors.
Like many other movies, The Joneses pretends to show us the dark side of the life in the idyllic North American suburbs, and it puts the focus on transmitting a message about the infinite ambition from modern marketing in order to make us automaton consumers, guided by the impulse and not by the reason.Many other films, books and TV series have censored the blind consumerism which infects the humanity; The Joneses comes too late to the party, and besides of that, it does not go as far as it should in order to provoke a genuine impact on the spectator.
And I also liked the performances from Gary Cole and Glenne Headly pretty much.In conclusion, the lack of focus from the screenplay, its bland satire and its weak ending make The Joneses not to be a very satisfactory film.
I highly recommend "The Joneses", especially for people who like a little bit of thought and originality in films..
The idea is interesting, the cast is credible, and the film itself is totally worthwhile, but overall, it falls short in delivering what could've been a great capturing of our current culture and the way we behave as consumers.Being in advertising, I know first hand the power of influence.
A few emotional scenes after another lead to the final moments of the film that prove rewarding, but at the same time, less spectacular than what was expected from such a promising premise.All in all, the Joneses brought something new to the table, but in a way that didn't resonate too well with me or most individuals that saw it.
Playing out like a social satire on consumerism and advertising, and just about poking fun at everyone who's guilty of keeping up with the Joneses, in literal fashion here a family of four becomes the quintessential personification of just those successful people whom we all aspire to become, emulate, or just plain desire to excel over.We're introduced to what seemed like the perfect household, where Steve (David Duchovny) spends his time mowing the lawn and playing golf and you wonder how and how much dough and bacon he brings home.
Kate (Demi Moore) occupying her time with all things necessary to look hot and beautiful, Jenn (Amber Heard) being the beautiful teenage daughter who's the flower of the school, and Mick (Ben Hollingsworth) the geeky but popular boy whose toys and gadgets make him the go to guy.
If you want to be with the cool crowd, then you need to well, keep up with the Joneses.Until of course the facade is pulled back, and we realize that it's all about in-your-face yet sublime piece of advertising, where product placement both in the reel, and don't forget the real world, are pretty much featured everywhere, allowing you to make mental note to get that golf club, or that Audi sports car if you have the dough.
It's about the selling of a concept lifestyle, and this form of getting the word out, through actual talking about, and sampling the product, is nothing but a real world kind of inception, with the planting of mindshare firmly in the minds of the masses.As mentioned, it's a must for sales people to watch, as it dwells on relationships or the lack thereof, when we fervently pursue numbers that define the occupation, with revenues, sales and profits being the sole focus of existence.
As for the actual story as it plays out, the theory is that upper crust yuppie "pseudo families" are assembled as "units" and planted into various upscale neighborhoods to stealthily promote all sorts of high end trendy merchandise by pretending to be ordinary consumers displaying their favorite things.Of course, what is really going on is a bizarre marketing scheme, with supposedly implanted units all over the world, pushing the products .
something resembling a heart hiding inside her icy, take no prisoners presence.Of course, I'm not going to say here what happens in the end, but if you're looking for unexpected twists and turns in a labyrinth of emergent sub plot detours, you won't find that here.Actually, the character and situational cliché's are so absurd that there really is quite a comedic thread running through this (intentional, or unintentional?), but the real punchline here, of course, is the very serious message of addiction to catastrophic overspending and the resulting debt quagmires that so many Americans really are experiencing.In a more sobering view of this film, the message is starkly direct, to the point, and quite timely.Entertaining?
There is a heck of lot more to this film than that..you know, stuff like love,deceit,sexual preferences,a bit of nudity but to go into specifics would spoil this terrific movie for you readers, so all I can say is that if you want to spend 90 or so very enjoyable minutes watching a top notcher from 2010, "The Joneses" fits the bill..
And yet lots of critics have praised the film – makes me think there is something else that influences these reviews...and let's face it, most journalists are themselves hacks that aren't talented enough to make a film.The theme in the Joneses is more interesting, and the characters each arc in a very pleasing way.
I think directing this film would be very difficult, and I have to give kudos to the first time director, who walks a very tough line in this movie.Soif you liked Up in the Air, but you felt there were big plot and thematic holes I would definitely go and see this filmand you'll come away glad that you did..
i watched this movie purely because i like David Duchovny as an actor and because i think Demi Moore is the most attractive woman i've ever seen.
I'm a marketing student and the real scary part of the movie is when i realized that this could actually happen, in fact it does already in a way with celebrities and famous athletes getting paid to wear and use certain products just to make others want to go buy them.
David Duchovny is excellent and so is Amber and Ben. In general, the casting was great for the supporting roles as well so the entire group of actors had great chemistry with each other.The film also showcases a bunch of cool products I don't think I knew existed.
Demi Moore, David Duchovny, Ben Hollingsworth and Amber Heard pose as the "it" family unit whose sole purpose is to be the coolest people with the coolest toys, clothes, furniture and cars.
David Duchovny, to his credit, has a couple of decent scenes, but Demi Moore just comes across as trying way too hard.It was nice to see Lauren Hutton and Gary Cole have somewhat important roles and I did enjoy looking at the great house and cars.
A 3 year old could come up a more believable story.4 Shallow (2 of whom look like zombies, Moore and Duchovny) Move into a luxury mansion as secret salespeople, and supposedly make fortunes for their company by selling a few bits of rubbish to half a dozen friends, one of whom commits suicide because of his debts by...wait for it....tying himself to a garden lawn mower and driving into the swimming pool.Sorry, but this is complete drivel and is maybe the worst movie of recent times that I have sadly bothered to watch..
Not really knowing what this film was about, I started watching and after about 15 minutes your in the loop of things, its elaborated through out the movie and in some cases it's really good and refreshing to see this who-is-cheating-who-and-making- money-on-it kind of strange film.I thought it was funny to see Duchovny in this, I'm kinda sexy but doesn't really know how to handle this setup.
I think Duchovny and Moore has a good partnership and they play their roles very well, from start to finish they change characters, not in a unexpected way, but in a regular to romantic-comedy's kind of way.It's a good movie and a good concept, one that maybe could have been done better, it's not a bad result at all, but I wasn't hundred percent entertained..
The story manages to balance being consistently funny with a scenario that holds up over ninety minutes, while at the same time, makes you think.David Duchovny is second on the cast list to Demi Moore, but he should definitely do more comedy (his few one-liners in the X-files always added a nice comedic element to Mulder's character).
Their on-screen children aren't as fully developed character-wise as they could have been, but they play their small roles well.The Joneses may not be an absolute classic, but it is certainly different enough to be watchable and entertaining, while at the same time making you think about a few 'what ifs?' If you like satire, then give it a try.
I really liked this movie about an artificial family used to market consumer goods to their neighbors and friends in a new community.
David Duchovny in the 'father' role is brilliant, keeping the 'unit' reality and emotionally balanced and his 'real' affection for 'boss' Demi Moore who brings about one of her best performances in years, conflicted with her strive for perfection and her natural wants and feelings.
I liked the cast (Duchovny, Moore, Cole have by far the biggest roles in the movie, so don't expect a lot of Ben Hollingsworth or Amber Heard) and the idea of a fake family (or cell, as they're called here) being planted into relatively affluent neighborhood to covertly advertise products through their lifestyle was interesting.
Gradually the guilt and false sense of identity eats away at each especially Steve as he feels guilt from the death of good friend Larry(Gary Cole)who was a want to be plastic just like the Joneses were.As with all dark dramas a turning point is reached as these people have to take a new direction and thankful and morally satisfying is that all of them realize they must start and live the truth as finally a new start to life has hopefully begun.
This movie shows how people are easily manipulated to focus on things that don't matter , how buying stuff you don't necessarily need, buying them just to keep up with rich looking families which may lead you to a miserable life ,remember that cowl doesn't make the monk , live at your level , look after yourself and those who care about you don't let the appearances deceive you if you want something go get it the right way don't get stressed out , because happiness and health are the only things that matter ..
It is well made, a quality professional cast (great to see Demi Moore again, she can really act and shows a true screen presence) but best of all, this is an intelligent, thought provoking and original movie.
I greatly appreciated the tact with which this rebuke was employed - there was no stirring speeches about getting back to the more important things, no one character screaming "this is wrong,this is wrong - what have we become?" Instead, the characters and the story obeyed the classic writing/movie rule to "show" instead of "telling." And the way in which this was done, to me, rang with a pure note of style.The acting in this movie was great, as one might expect from Demi Moore and even of David Duchovny.
Demi Moore appears to be uncomfortable with her role, David Duchovny is extremely charmless, Amber Heard and Benjamin Hollingsworth look like they need acting classes.
Of course, as much as the movie starts off seemingly innocently like a comedy, the movie allows much room for drama especially when David Duchovny's character starts to fall for his 'fake' wife and actually starts to long for an actual family life and wanting to do familial things with the rest of the children.
it is so close to the perfect blend of serious with entertaining, that it only shows how far cinema business has gone and that when there is dare there is do and this does bring success.to me this is a movie about coming out and being true to yourself, which is a base to being true to the others and taking responsibilities.consider these "problems" that "modern" society had to overcome or is trying to overcome for the last few decades, depicted in this movie too, in my view: 'coming out', which apparently is a big issue to a large part of the western world, but is mostly about being true and being you abundance of "free" sex, leading to ignoring any true intimacy and above all, love the choice of having a career to having a career and life, chasing someone else's goals and trying to become someone else the desperate search for love while fighting all the aboveeven if you don't want to see the story from this perspective this is a highly enjoyable movie, getting a few steps higher from "american beauty", which was also an attempt for revelation.I'm glad to see so much talent put to good use!
Such an appealing experience can be had if you watch The Joneses, a cautionary tale about high-end marketers posing as a happy family seducing neighbors and friends to buy the goods they flaunt.The Grifters told of low-lifes scamming in traditional con games that were harmless because most of us would never be caught in the compromising places these scammers frequent.
But In The Joneses, the glamorous people next door, whose glitzy alcohol itself is worth buying, are a family on product parade reaping rewards for everything they have convinced you to buy just because you wanted to be like the Joneses.David Duchovny, as father Steve Jones, is his coolest ever, the new dude on the block with everything, down to his impressive wife Kate (Demi Moore), and two beautiful children, Jenn (Amber Heard) and Mick (Ben Hollingsworth).
Movies like the Joneses memorialize what is going on without stepping on too many toes, a great way to inoculate, entertain and save the internet (and other media) just a bit at the same time.Could go on and on about this film, could write a whole review about the symbolism tying the "fake family" to "the average real consumer culture family," will suffice it to say that the fake family is pretty obviously symbolic of all of us in our consumerist tendencies and in our desire to be socially accepted.
Good premise with the manafactured family just there to push products to their well-heeled neighbors and fake friends but thats all this movie has, it gets boring pretty quickly as not much else goes on, This is certainly no "Grifters", there's no elaborate or creative set ups, no funny skits, I was looking at my watch after 20 minutes hoping something would liven this up.
The real story comes as their perfect world unravels during a music montage as their own life gets in the way of their facade.The acting is good with strong performances by all the main characters.
Despite the fact that the movie played it safe at the conclusion by becoming melodramatic,I felt that it was a good film that discusses important issues facing the world today such as consumerism and materialism in times of difficult economic times around the world.It makes the viewer think about why we buy things and how money has become the focal point in many people's lives today.Aside from that,it also makes the viewer realize that there are more important things in life such as love,family,freedom,acceptance,sincerity and happiness rather than the expensive gadgets that is being produced in the market today.In addition to that,it also become a cautionary tale about our attitude towards money and material things.The cast particularly Duchovny,Moore and Heard also made it watchable and entertaining.Overall,Borte did a great job despite its flaws at the end..
Well, "The Joneses" is a movie that shows people living the "american dream"; they are a perfect "family", with health, beauty and money.
Demi Moore and David Duchovny as Kate and Steve Jones have fallen in love and take off for their real life love story, leaving the fake family and surreal world behind them.It's not the story of this film that is intriguing but the conceptional idea and the questions it raises.