Our Idiot Brother (2011) User Reviews

Light and easy.

[Rockwell_Cronenberg · 6/10 · 9 November 2011]

Our Idiot Brother is probably the most harmless movie to come out this year, a very light and entertaining piece with a remarkably warm heart. At first I was frustrated by how thinly written the supporting characters were and how the sisters are some of the worst people put on film, but ultimately it's a necessary evil to get the film where it needs to go. It's a nice little study on the cynicism and selfishness of today's culture and how someone with a good heart and a sunny disposition just gets taken advantage of and abused for being decent.

There are a lot of funny moments throughout, most of them coming from Paul Rudd who plays a unique character for him (the rest of the actors were cast exactly in their wheelhouse) and is really just charming and kind the whole time. You really believe him in this role and Ned could have come off as too dim or annoyingly sweet, but Rudd makes him so likable and I just wanted to give him a big hug and hang out with him the whole time. Sure, there are plenty of flaws with how the characters were written, but in the end that's insignificant and just not what the film is about. It's an easy and touching film that sheds a light on how awful the majority has become, just like it's main character. Such a relaxed and easy viewing.

Not so funny, but has a lot of redeeming features

[natashabowiepinky · 7/10 · 12 March 2015]

After Our Idiot Brother was over, I appreciated it the same way I did Identity Thief. Both movies were marketed as comedies... Yet, I didn't laugh very much. What I DID like though, was the way the characters were written in the two films. In Identity Thief, the jerk criminal played by Melissa McCarthy goes through a great personality transformation over the course of the movie, which is surprising, convincing and very sweet. If I ever watch it again, it's that I'd concentrate on... Not the negligible attempts at humour.

In Our Idiot Brother, the chap mentioned in the title as portrayed by Paul Rudd is a fool, yes... In his very first scene he sells cannabis to a police officer. IN UNIFORM. After his prison sentence has elapsed, he suffers the humiliation of losing his girlfriend and dog, before being forced to move in with his mother. At this point, observing his general idiocy and habit of letting people walk all over him, my empathy level for this guy stood at absolutely zero. Then, his three sisters enter stage left.

ALL of them have problems. One is a lesbian who's just fallen pregnant from a fling with a man. Another is married to Alan Partridge, who's banging a ballerina. The last one either gets a HOT story for her work as a journalist, or she might face the sack. Yep, it's yet ANOTHER dysfunctional All-American family (Still, watching a feature length flick about The Waltons would be rather dull, wouldn't you agree?)

Despite their own mounting difficulties, each one's opinion of their dopey brother range from tolerance to outright embarrassment. Yet, due to his happy-go-lucky attitude and general earnestness, he somehow helps each one out (albeit unintentionally for the most part) by just being his goofy, charming self. Not that they recognise this, though... And he eventually becomes a conduit for their own insecurities and frustrations, until it looks like the entire family might break up.

With a superb cast and witty, truthful dialogue, Our Idiot Brother, in it's quite short running length barely puts a foot wrong, in giving us a bunch of people who's lives we care about and proving that sometimes the idiot of the family can be the smartest one. I must say that being around someone like this all the time in real life would drive me CRAZY... I like those who are a little more confrontational and a little less eager to please. But you can't deny the impact he has on changing the lives of his siblings for the better... And for that alone, he earns my respect.

Very well done... 7/10

Light on the comedy, but so charming that "Our Idiot Brother" is likable

[napierslogs · 7/10 · 26 August 2011]

As has been stated many times already, Ned (Paul Rudd) is not an idiot. Well, he kind of is. He lacks understanding of normal social protocol, and not in a genius kind-of-way, but as a hippie. Prone to frequent breakdowns in communication, one such instance lands him in jail. When he's out, he's off to live with his family. His sisters all treat him like he's an idiot. Hence, the title, "Our Idiot Brother."

Ned is a good and caring guy. His sisters are completely different and completely different from each other — one is even British. In their own way, they are all selfish, demanding and insensitive people. But don't worry, Ned is our hero and protagonist. If you are currently sighing in relief, I understand. A career spanning two decades with 30-plus movie credits, and we've only seen Paul Rudd in the lead role a handful of times.

Rudd has infused Ned with all the charm, likability and overall appeal that we have come to expect from him. Surprisingly, the less likable actresses playing the three unlikable sisters were at least able to add some humour to their characters. The three supporting actors probably could have stolen the show if they were given more time: Steve Coogan as the husband with a penchant for exhibitionism; Hugh Dancy as a creepy artist turned cultist; and Adam Scott as Rudd's long lost brother — not literally, he just has the same presence.

"Our Idiot Brother" is a comedy, one of those heart-warming comedies, where all of the characters start coming around to see the value of having Ned in their life. It takes them longer than us to realize his positive aspects because most of them are not fully-developed characters, especially the mother, I'm not sure what the point of her was.

Unfortunately, it's not a particularly funny comedy, but it is a likable one. A few ill-fated groin jokes would have been better off in a different movie, and a few jokes lost their humour after they appeared in the trailer, and after that there's only a few left to discover. It is funny, but not as funny as you would expect a comedy to be. But did I mention likable? Because that's what "Our Idiot Brother" is: sweet, charming and overall appealing.

Sweet

[JohnDeSando · 31 August 2011]

As I write this review at the end of August, 2011, I realize it's my last one of a good summer, and the movie, Our Idiot Brother, is a good movie. It's a light-hearted, low-key comedy about a hippie brother Ned (Paul Rudd) returning home from prison for selling pot to a uniformed policeman.

That little episode that put him in jail is not only humorous because of Ned's naiveté but also because of his big heart that would empathize with the seemingly depressed cop and sell him the weed. Ned is a sweet idealist who believes the best about his fellow humans and rarely is disappointed. Although he has been a biodynamic farmer but now doesn't have a job, his real job is turning his family honest, sister by sister, without even trying, without even knowing that his Ibsen-like Wild Duck openness has changed lives for the better.

For instance, when he forces his sister Miranda (Elizabeth Banks) to be honest with her publisher about a source for an important story, she eventually is better for the setback. A little like Forrest Gump with less cluelessness, Ned changes things with the force of his own honesty.

His three sisters are not wicked witches; they're just New Yorkers who have lost their way in marriage, sexual orientation, or plain old occupation. Director Jesse Peretz keeps the cast underplaying as he allows the ripening of their lives through the gentle ministrations of this child-like brother.

While I always favor the outré Royal Tenenbaums or eccentric Little Miss Sunshine, it's pleasant to experience a relatively mild comedy about family dysfunction and want more.

Watch it for Paul Rudd's Lovable Performance!

[namashi_1 · 7/10 · 18 November 2011]

Jesse Peretz's 'Our Idiot Brother' is a decent watch, but what stands tall in this film, is, without a shed of doubt, Paul Rudd's lovable performance in the central role. The actor has never been so convincing before!

'Our Idiot Brother' tells the story of an idealistic man who intrudes and wreaks havoc in each of his three sisters' lives.

The film begins well, dips in the middle, but luckily, culminates properly. As said, it's a decent watch, that never really bores or loses it's pace. Evgenia Peretz & David Schisgall's Screenplay is good, but it could've been better, especially post 40-minutes. Jesse Peretz Directs this comedy-drama, ably. Cinematography, Editing & Art Design, are fair.

Performance-Wise: Paul Rudd delivers his careers most lovable/convincing performance in here. He literally owns the film. As his sisters, Elizabeth Banks, Emily Mortimer & Zooey Deschanel, are first-rate. Kathryn Hahn is perfect. Rashida Jones is passable. Steve Coogan is as usual. Others lend support.

On the whole, 'Our Idiot Brother' is a time-pass fare. A must watch for Rudd fanatics.

It truly was your cliché feel-good movie

[Nuz_Reviews · 7/10 · 30 August 2011]

I will admit that my hopes were quite high for this flick. No pun intended. Like most, Paul Rudd is a favorite comedic actor of mine. As I expected, he did a splendid job with this flick. The supporting cast also seemed to be quite good. Elizabeth Banks, Emily Mortimer, and Zooey Deschanel played the three sisters of Rudd's character. Hence the title of the movie.

The story starts out with one idiotic move by Ned, portrayed by Paul Rudd. Ned is a biodynamic farmer and happens to be selling his crops at a local market. A police officer approaches him and asks for some "green." After Ned insists that he takes the marijuana for free, he is arrested.

The character development in this movie was probably my favorite part. Although frustrating at times, all the characters had that little something about them that was genuine and unique. In addition to learning a lot about Ned (like how he doesn't cheat or lie and trusts others too much), we also witness quite a bit from his sisters too. I really think if we saw the sisters together more often, then I'd laugh a bit more. Although Our Idiot Brother was funny at times, it wasn't the comedy film I was hoping for. I really thought that I'd be laughing more. Perhaps another viewing at another time will perspire such laughter, but I digress.

As alluded to earlier, Ned has three sisters. Miranda (Elizabeth Banks), Liz (Emily Mortimer), and Natalie (Zoeey Deschanel). After he's out of jail, Ned tries to live with his mom (Shirley Knight), but that doesn't work out so he looks to his three sisters.

From there the plot begins to unfold. It's hard to discuss it without giving away spoilers. You'll just have to see for yourself.

Also, Adam Scott, Steve Coogan, and Rashida Jones all have an active role in the film. Very fun.

It's also worth noting that part of the filming took place at the historic Hotel Chelsea. I've only been to New York City once and that's the place I stayed. This film really gave me the urge to want to be back in NYC!

Although not the movie that I wanted, it was pleasantly likable and worth a watch.

7/10 Stars.

Don't Miss One of Paul Rudd's Best Roles

[brando647 · 7/10 · 11 January 2012]

Here's a movie that nearly slipped under my radar. It came to theaters and disappeared pretty quietly, without much fuss in the form of marketing or critical appeal. I'm hesitant to call the movie forgettable because that implies that there is nothing in this movie good enough in this movie to remain with you after the credits roll, but I honestly forgot most of the movie in the short time since I'd first watched it on home video. If I had to describe this movie to someone, I guess the first thing that comes to mind is "heart-warming". I hate to use that phrase because it feels so clichéd but it best describes the feeling it leaves you with by the end. Paul Rudd is Ned Rochlin, a modern hippie and total idealist who sees nothing but the best in everyone he meets. He is nearly incapable of believing that someone would intentionally wrong another person. His own naivety leads to jail time when he sells weed to a cop (in uniform, no less). When he's released, he needs a place to crash while he gets his life in order and he bounces between each of his three sisters (a dejected housewife, an ambitious journalist, and a bisexual hipster), going on to throw a monkey wrench into each of their lives with his personal brand of honest living. Ned only wants what's best for everyone but finds himself ruining his sisters' lives when his idealism fails to mesh with their reality.

No one plays as endearing an idiot as Paul Rudd. Honestly, he never really comes off as an idiot, in spite of his oblivious nature. He feels so genuine and honest and he's hard not to love here. The same can be said for T.J. Miller who has a supporting role as Billy, the new boyfriend for Ned's ex-girlfriend. Miller and Rudd are an awesome duo in this movie and I wish they'd gotten more screen-time together. On the opposite end of the spectrum is, well, pretty much every woman in the movie (with the exception of Ned's alcoholic mother Ilene). Not to sound misogynistic or anything, but there really isn't a likable woman in the whole movie. I know it wasn't the intention of the writers or the director; it's just that the movie requires Ned to wander into his sisters' lives and help them face their glaring problems. Ned's not responsible for any of the problems that arise while he's visiting with his sisters, but he is the reason why they're eventually forced to confront them. As each sister gradually turns against poor Ned, you can't help but feel bad for the poor guy and begin to loath his self-obsessed sisters. Ned's sisters are played by Emily Mortimer, Elizabeth Banks, and Zooey Deschanel, which makes it all the more difficult to speak so harshly about a cast that's so freaking hot in a "Hollywood's sweethearts" sort of way. The most evil force in this film would be Ned's ex-girlfriend Janet, who's extreme passive-aggression proves that even a hippie woman is not to be messed with.

I love that the movie doesn't pull any punches and embraces it's R-rating, but I can't help but believe it's a shame that it didn't try to aim for a PG-13. There is nothing in the movie that necessitated the harsher language or the handful of nudity. It adds to the humor a bit in the final act with Ned's eventual breakdown under the pressure and the message he delivers to his family via his young nephew. Still, it would've broaden the audience and might've possibly allowed for slightly profit. The movie is more endearing than raunchy and cutting back on the harder elements might've, for once, been a good idea. This is a feel-good movie above all else. Ned is a man that can't help but make you smile and the film's ending is handled perfectly. Everyone is redeemed for their actions in such a way that it doesn't feel forced and everyone ends up in a better place. If you've seen the trailers for the movie, you may have been led to believe this is a more slapstick, raunchy comedy in the vain of your average Apatow-esque comedy. It's 100% not, so you might want to look elsewhere if that's what you're itching for. It's a pleasant movie with some strong chuckles and, though it might be a bit forgettable, it just means the laughs will be that much fresher when I rewatch it later on.

Title is accurate

[RobTheWatcher · 4/10 · 29 April 2021]

.... yikes that was not good. This put me to sleep.

A sweet comedy about family and life.

[Lunaroseice · 9/10 · 11 September 2011]

This movie IS a comedy. There are many types of comedy and you don't have to laugh out loud the whole time for it to be a comedy. The movie is funny, charming, and very cute.

It really isn't about Ned's philosophy of expecting the best of others and seeing the good in them because even thought some people don't, and it can hurt you, more people do and everyone is better for it. It's about family dynamics, life choices, and learning to accept your own actions.

By accepting responsibility for your own actions you are able to free yourself to be more accepting of other people despite their flaws. Because we all have flaws.

Ned is less of a protagonist and more of a catalyst for change in his sisters' lives. The only reason I don't give this movie a 9 star rating is because the ending is a little on the weak side. They could have stopped the movie a few minutes earlier and it would have been stronger.

The wonderful Paul Rudd highlights a simple yet well-executed comedy

[Movie_Muse_Reviews · 7/10 · 12 December 2011]

Paul Rudd gets a lot of love from moviegoers, just not enough love. It's not a wayward assessment to say that other than (arguably) Steve Carell, Rudd is the best actor doing comedy right now, in the sense that he could do so much, but he sticks to the joyful life of comedy. Thankfully he's darn good at it.

Rudd plays the comedy everyman ("Role Models," "I Love You, Man," "Dinner for Schmucks") as good if not better than anybody in today's comedies, yet no one's surprised when he takes a role like that of Ned in "Our Idiot Brother" and hits a home run with it. That's because he's always taking risks and offering something different when he's not the lead. "Our Idiot Brother" gives us the best of both Rudd-worlds.

Jesse Peretz's film also exists in an uncomfortable middle ground between modern comedy and indie family dramedy, which would explain why it has been met with mixed criticism. It succeeds mostly when looked at as a simple comedy with honest truths and strong performances.

Ned is a pretty complex idiot. Peretz built the character and Rudd builds his performance around his "benefit of the doubt" world view, and it makes Ned different from that dumb character you've seen before, though certainly pieces of his personality will feel familiar. His dumbness is quite believable, which says a lot considering the film opens with him selling pot to a uniformed police officer. Perhaps the difference is that he doesn't sell right away, he gives it to him, but the officer can't make the arrest unless he sells it, yet he manages to convince him to ask for money in return. Whole other idiocy ball game.

The comedy has a fairytale structure as Ned must rotate between living with his three sisters: Miranda (Elizabeth Banks) the strong-willed independent journalist, Natalie (Zooey Deschanel) the spontaneous lesbian stand-up comic and Liz (Emily Mortimer) the hardened mother of two with an emotionally unavailable husband (Steve Coogan). With a reluctant sense of obligation, they all give him things to do and of course a place to sleep.

So it goes that Ned finds a way of making their lives more difficult either through ignorance or some other means and they harshly overreact and blame Ned because they're all kind of selfish. You can see it all unfolding, but Rudd has such charisma and these actresses are no slouches. Deschanel and Rashida Jones might not make the most convincing lesbians, but the film never falls apart thanks to poor characters. Without them, it would be hard to look past the obvious conventions, but they and the general high jinks Ned finds himself in keep you smiling.

There's a definite comfort in this family redemption story no matter how many times you see it. What makes "Our Idiot Brother" different is that character fullness. Instead of writing in one-liner jokes, Evgenia Peretz and David Schisgall focus more on humorous situations. Although not wildly original, the actors step in and give them that fun genuineness that makes you want to see things roll out how they do, even if you know exactly how it'll happen.

The optimism Ned preaches guides the rest of it from there. The scenarios feel less contrived and more like sincere approaches to the question of how someone who's so honest and looking to appease yet so ignorant of consequences would cause himself problems. His sisters' reactions might be overblown, but the conclusion ends up quite sweet. Those who don't corner the film into comedy or indie comedy/drama will find it hard not to be won over by this film and especially Mr. Rudd.

~Steven C

Visit my site! moviemusereviews.com

Like a predictable cookie cutter after school special but lamer

[mscherlen · 2/10 · 9 September 2011]

Paul Rudd doesn't have the charisma to pull off this movie, even if it didn't have a pathetic script. The premise was lame to start with, the casting was terrible. I have seen all of the actors do better when they have had something to work with. The characters were morally bankrupt, like a paler copy of the Seinfield cast, and the "Idiot brother" was just a series of lame, "but he has a heart of gold" stereotypes. By the end of the movie, I was becoming physically ill from hearing the say "Willie Nelson". They shouldn't let children write scripts! Way to predictable, way too long, WAAAAAY short on being charming or funny. Not to sound prudish, but the liberal use of the "F" word and other four letter fouls added nothing to the comedy or depth of the movie experience, especially since I was surrounded by children in a theater where the ignorant parents thought that cussing and nudity were appropriate values to share with their heathen offspring. Waste of money and time.

A touching ending

[Gordon-11 · 4 June 2014]

This film tells how a man who is so kind and honest that he manages to mess everyone's life up, including his own.

Ned is a young man with three sisters, and he goes to jail because he gave marijuana to a policeman who asks for it. He might appear very stupid to people, and indeed he is portrayed to be an idiot. However, it does beg the question whether an honest existence and a simplistic life is an undesirable or even a wrong life. I also had the thought that Ned in fact is living happily, unlike his three sisters who think he is stupid. The ending is a sweet and touching one, even though it is rather poorly developed and it feels like a very sudden paradigm shift for the characters involved. Overall, "Our Idiot Brother" is quite enjoyable as it is funny throughout, and is touching in the end.

A light hearted "good" movie

[gpta-alka · 6/10 · 1 March 2014]

I stumbled on this movie while looking for something to watch, I am a Paul Rudd fan ever since FRIENDS, so gave it a try.

The movie is really light, it restores your faith in good things in Life, for example being Honest. Yes, little things in life matter and being good to everyone around you is one of the little things you could do to help this world become a better place, people learn eventually good pays off better than bad (lies, dishonesty, etc). Love Paul Rudd, and Zooey Zooey Deschanel <3. Also, I could connect with the innocence of love Ned has for his Dog, Willie Nelson, lol, strange name for a Dog, wait for the climax of the movie, you're gonna love it. Those who've already watched the movie know what I am talking about. Grab a beer, some light snacks and watch the movie I must say, You will feel good about it.

Dumb Love

[eMpTy84 · 7/10 · 23 March 2017]

"I like to think that if you put your trust out there; if you really give people the benefit of the doubt, see their best intentions, people will rise to the occasion."

• Ned

Ned (Paul Rudd) has just been released from a jail term after selling marijuana to a uniformed police man. His three sisters (Elizabeth Banks, Zooey Deschanel, and Emily Mortimer) pity him, because his idealist approach to life seems to get him into easily avoidable trouble. Lots of these difficulties start to begin in Ned's sisters' lives when he returns home.

Though this movie appears to be a formulaic laugher involving an ignorant idiot, it is not. The majority of modern released comedies involve no real strong themes, but cookie cut a bunch of gags (and sometimes excessive product placement) to finish with an "everything is okay and back to normal" ending. Characters didn't really earn anything, nothing is truly learned, and all are happy. Our Idiot Brother plays like Ned will learn a thing or two about not doing dumb things, but he actually lives a guilt and shame free life. His honesty and belief in the best of people becomes a reflection of all the characters who come in contact with him. The sisters, his girlfriend, and his nephew's reactions to Ned's nature show more about themselves than Ned.

Paul Rudd is at his best, creating a lovable and good-hearted oaf. His approach modifies the concept of the stupid male protagonist a la Forrest Gump. Instead of having to "fix" all the problems he created, people begin to see where the issues truly come from. Ned's character makes you wonder how different society would be if we lived with a heart as big as his.

Pretty Good

[jcbinok · 7/10 · 4 November 2016]

I laughed a few times (one good belly laugh) mostly at the hippy lingo and situations: candle-making conversation, a pacifist trying not to get angry, etc. The movie also had some sweet moments. Paul Rudd is an awesome leading man who has stayed mostly under the radar despite having a packed resume. His small role in Knocked Up (the scene where he and Seth Rogan's character go to Las Vegas) lifts that movie to another level; and the film Two Days is quietly stunning.

All that said, this particular movie, Our Idiot Brother, doesn't quite reach either of those movies' heights, dramatically or comedically. It's kinda disjointed, for one thing. Lots of story lines and sisters to keep track of, and a bit too much weight placed on the dog's role. Oh well, it's not the worst movie ever. Try it, you might like it.

Lovely, intelligent film

[derdriui · 10/10 · 28 November 2012]

Such a keeper, this one. Sweet, gentle and caring. It shows human hypocrisy in the same breath as human capacity for love and understanding. A really gentle film about a guy who has no discrimination in his heart. It's sweet. We all need to know people who see the good in others and have good intentions, it helps us tone down our own cynicism and propensity for shrewd, self-serving behaviour.

This film also criticizes and shows the best of the hippie movement all in one, and I love it for that. Intelligent, gentle and sweet.

Do watch it. Paul Rudd gives a really love performance... that guy really can do a much wider range than he lets on with his dedication to light comedy. Great show all 'round. Lovely film.

Well done

[Treyroo · 7/10 · 24 November 2012]

Paul Rudd is Ned. A biodynamic farmer who genuinely expects nothing but kindness from those he meets, Ned is affable to the Nth degree. He is so taken in by people that when a uniformed police officer asks him for marijuana and insists on paying for it, Ned (Rudd) is completely taken aback when said officer arrests him and sends him to jail for eight months.

Upon his release he is evicted from his own property by the girlfriend who decided to dump him while he was in prison but never told him. In addition, she's decided to hang onto their dog out of sheer spite. And so Ned seeks shelter and assistance from his genuinely loving mother and his sisters who only help out of guilt and only until it becomes inconvenient for them. His sister Miranda (Elizabeth Banks) is a Vanity Fair journalist writing a profile on a member the royal family and half- heartedly involved with a neighbor who wants more but doesn't expect to get it. Natalie (Zooey Deschanel) is a bisexual "performance artist" living in a studio apartment with her girlfriend (Rashida Jones) and five other people. Liz (Emily Mortimer) is married to a documentary filmmaker (Steve Coogan) who shows no interest in maintaining their physical relationship and with whom she has a son who is being raised in a manner devoid of even the comic violence of The Pink Panther.

As they all suffer various setbacks, the sisters seem intent on putting the blame for those setbacks on their brother despite the fact that those setbacks are the result of failings in their own character or the character of those around them. Ned is ostracized and, soon enough finds himself back in jail after revealing to his parole officer that he has violated the conditions of his release by smoking marijuana.

Paul Rudd as Ned is a very endearing character. The sisters (Deschanel, Mortimer and Banks) are self-involved and less than endearing but their eventual growth and that of their relationship with Ned is enough to turn their roles in the story. There's no real redemption for the ex- girlfriend (played by Kathryn Hahn) but the shoe eventually ends up on the other foot. I really enjoyed this movie.

I Gave it Two Cringes

[view_and_review · 1/10 · 13 December 2021]

You know what's funny? Not funny ha-ha, but funny as in weird: the idiot brother, Ned (Paul Rudd), was the most sane and likeable character in this mudpie. I didn't finish watching because it was largely about his three sisters and their problems which I had no interest in. With the exception of Arabella (Janet Montgomery) every woman in this movie was repulsive. As for the sisters: Liz (Emily Mortimer) was a mess of a housewife with a philandering husband, Natalie (Zooey Deschanel) was a lesbian who cheated and got pregnant (I don't know if that constitutes as double cheating or single cheating, she cheated on her female partner and she cheated on lesbianism), and Miranda (Elizabeth Banks) is a gossip columnist who published some things told to her in confidence.

I may not be enlightened enough for this movie. This type of comedy wasn't for me. I gave it a legitimate shot even after I was cringing. I gave this movie two cringes, which I think is generous, so on the third cringe I was out.

Charming and hilarious

[imdb-3022 · 8/10 · 31 January 2011]

A hilarious movie written for Paul Rudd: what more could we want?

Rudd plays Ned, a stoner who has frizzled his neurons to the point that he has lost any ability to detect or dish out B.S. The poster child for what it means to be ingenuous, Ned is a trusting, playful, adorable stray puppy who isn't quite housebroken. So you-know-what hits the fan when his three sisters serially take him in after his release from jail. He's nothing but tsuris. It's no wonder that his most enduring relationship is with his dog, Willie Nelson.

Thanks to Rudd's everyman persona and the genial obliviousness he brings to Ned, you can't help but feel empathy. As with a suspense film where the audience knows what's going to happen but the characters are still in the dark, you want to yell out to warn Ned before he screws up again. His perfect comic timing and the made-to-order script make sure you get the most laughs from his predicament. Luckily, there's more to him than just bad luck. He's also an endearing white angel on the shoulders of his sisters, helping them fight their devils as he becomes an unwitting catalyst for change.

The movie's impressively talented and good-looking cast includes Zooey Deschanel, Emily Mortimer, and Elizabeth Banks (looking a lot like Parker Posey) as sisters. What's more, Rashinda Jones and Hugh Dancy add to the already high eye-candy quotient. Steve Coogan plays Ned's deliciously distasteful brother-in-law in his inimitable unpleasant-guy way.

The film is smartly directed by Jesse Peretz from a story he developed with his sister, Evgenia Peretz. I saw this at the Sundance screening in Brookline, Massachusetts, where director Peretz said they wrote it for Rudd, whom he clearly enjoys working with, and who wouldn't? Even though they stuck to the script, Rudd improvised at least two of the movie's funniest bits.

A fun ride throughout, the film only has a couple of weak spots. One scene has Ned comfortably telling a white lie, something so out of character it was jolting to the point of distraction. The ending could use some reshaping, and perhaps it might get some before general release. But even as is, this movie is about as charming and hilarious as Rudd can be, which is quite sizable.

A very kind hearted movie.

[deatman9 · 7/10 · 9 October 2012]

First off I have to say I really like this movie now that being said I don't think it will appeal to most. It is a very sweet, heart warming story and is kind of slow paced but it is a truly great movie. The script is great and the acting is phenomenal.

This movie is about a man who is a very trusting and likes to believe that people are always telling the truth and likes to help people. Though sometimes this helping trusting nature gets him and those around him into trouble as his sisters soon find out after he gets kicked out of his house and goes to live with them.

This movie was really good but like I said its not for everyone. It has great acting a wonderful script and it executes itself very well.

Rambling and boring. Unworthy of Paul Rudd's talents.

[DaynaSu · 3/10 · 1 January 2012]

What a great title! I have an idiot brother, and he is SO much more entertaining than this movie was.

This would have been a decent Movie of the Week, or a Lifetime Original Film. It had some endearing moments and a couple of weak laughs, but for the most part I felt robbed.

Rudd plays a gullible stoner named Ned. Note to the producers of MY NAME IS EARL...look into this. Rudd's character looks, sounds, and acts exactly like Earl. I kept waiting for the Crab Man to enter the scene.

The plot revolves around Ned's relationships with his siblings -- three very different, equally unlikable women. One is a wimpy supermom, one is a career woman, and one is a bisexual performer. Ned, the idiot brother, gets passed around from family to family, being taken care of, when he is really enriching their lives without them realizing it.

The whole thing is unrealistic and sappy. This should not have been billed as a comedy at all, as there are really very few laughs in the film.

Charming, Funny Family Film

[patsworld · 4 October 2011]

Finally, an enjoyable movie without an hour of explicit sex scenes and flat-out filthy dialog. This is a really good film, teaching family values of the kind we all have, or know someone who has, of acceptance and toleration. Great cast...Paul Rudd is sweet and lovable in this role and he will quickly endear himself to you even as you watch and think, "Come on. Nobody can be this naive." At the same time, you'll find yourself wishing you had someone this sweet and transparent in your life. The writing is good...and the plot is solid. This is one you won't walk away from thinking you've wasted good money on bad so-called entertainment. Trust me, you'll be happy you watched this one and you'll find yourself recommending this one to everyone else.

Nice and Honest Ned

[iquine · 7/10 · 31 May 2022]

Some people can be too nice for their own good. Ned buys into a story from an officer in uniform about just needing some weed to relax. Ned feels sorry for him, exchanges the dope for money and gets busted on the spot. Upon release from prison, his girlfriend has found someone new so he ends up bumming around with family and friends. As he does, his he innocently shares private information that shakes or shatters everyone's lives. This is a funny approach to an off-beat comedy. It has a calm and innocent feel to it much like Ned's personally.

I just wanna sit around and have a nice game of charades

[DiSTuRBeDx · 6/10 · 16 June 2012]

It was decent. I thought Paul Rudd was good in it, actually most of them were. I don't think it's as bad as people say, but it isn't too good either. Although I did enjoy the 90 minutes or so of it. There were a few funny bits in it but I don't think it was supposed to be an all-out comedy.

I like Paul Rudd is most things and when he went angry at the charades game I thought he was very good. The film was defiantly no masterpiece and I probably wouldn't watch it again. I didn't particularly like the ending because I'm not fond of lovey-dovey scenarios as it is not very realistic but I didn't mind it as much as I usually do.

I wouldn't recommend it unless you like those types of movies or if you want to see Paul Rudd as, I thought, he was very good in it. I'm not sure whether it could've been better. Maybe if it had went a different way in terms of what genre is was in but I think this one suited the film.

This movie is solid entertainment.

[PWNYCNY · 9/10 · 28 August 2011]

What a wonderful movie. Paul Rudd is terrific. He is truly the star. His performance is outstanding. The idiot is not Paul's character, Ned. He is a good-natured person who is willing to give everyone the benefit of the doubt. Rather, the idiots are his three pretentious sisters who treat Ned like a child, misinterpreting his honesty for immaturity. Ned maintains his integrity, which is in sharp contrast to the phoniness that he encounters in others. Misunderstandings occur as Ned forces his sisters to confront their own lies. Ned is perceived as the family problem when in fact he is the solution, except no one knows it, at first. Several scenes are amusing as Ned's good nature and candid outlook produces some awkward situations. This movie succeeds because it tells a story, does so with humor, and keeps the audience engaged.