Our Idiot Brother is a 2011 film directed by Jesse Peretz and starring Paul Rudd, Elizabeth Banks, Zooey Deschanel, and Emily Mortimer. The script was written by Evegenia Peretz and David Schisgall based on Jesse and Evgenia Peretz’s story.

The film came into production unusually quickly for an independent film. Filming took place over six weeks, primarily in various parts of New York City. The film premiered at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival. 1hour 35mn.

A gentle film about a gentle man, Our Idiot Brother is a warm and funny comedy about family, honesty and sublime stupidity.

You would enjoy this movie if you just want to have a fun ride.

Ned (Paul Rudd) finds himself with nowhere to go when he is released from jail after serving time for illegal drug use/possession. So he makes himself at home at each of his three sisters’ houses (Elizabeth Banks, Zooey Deschanel, Emily Mortimer). This causes them significant grief and annoyance. All his sisters are struggling with their own personal problems and Ned manages to make a whole lot worse. It’s no wonder that his most enduring relationship is with his dog, Willie Nelson.

What I really liked about Our Idiot Brother is just how friendly it is. Rudd, riffing on his stoner-dude is not only hilarious, but also impossible not to love as Ned, a man who is not so much idiotic as he is un-cynical, trusting, idealistic and nice. Although he is often a nuisance to his sisters, the film continually makes the point that their issues come from their own dishonesty and selfishness, and not so much from Ned’s big mouth.

Even those who don’t laugh heartily during Our Idiot Brother will at the very least smile, because the film is just so pleasant and kind. It is a surprisingly smart movie about a dumb person who really isn’t so dumb.

-Christophe Chanel