Directed by Alex Kurtzman
Starring Chris Pine, Elizabeth Banks
Screenwriter Alex Kurtzman, best known for such big-budget spectacles as Star Trek and Transformers, tackles more contemporary content for his directorial debut in People Like Us.
Struggling corporate salesman Sam (Chris Pine) flies to L.A. for the funeral of his late father and discovers that dads will states he must deliver $150,000 in cash to a sister (Elizabeth Banks) he never knew he had and her troubled 12-year-old son.Despite a horribly contrived trailer and equally saccharine poster, the film is surprisingly moving and features some fine acting.
Once Sam gets to L.A. he must contend with the inevitable family baggage which is quickly addressed by his mother Lillian (Michelle Pfeiffer). Its refreshing to see the veteran actress (who could have used more screen time here) actually get a decent script for once, proving she can still be taken seriously.However, the movie really belongs to Pine and Banks, who respectively give the best performances of their careers.The subject matter and source material are tinged with familiarity but the two actors elevate the script to great heights thanks to genuine emotions and real chemistry.
Things become a tad tedious in the middle and some of the quick editing is more conducive to the action genre Kurtzman is so used to. Minor issues aside, the end result is an engaging, endearing character study and convincing family drama.During a summer full of numerous sequels, mind-numbing action and idiotic comedy, People Like Us is a satisfying hidden gem for adults.
