The Joneses (2009) Online

The Joneses is not top-shelf satire. Its concept does suggest that it could be something of a great little suburban parable, something that years ago could have come up on the Twilight Zone. An upper middle class (or, let's face it, upper class) family of four- the Joneses, Steve, Kate, Jenn and Mick- move in to a very nice new house. The neighbors are impressed already, and become even more impressed (or just jealous) of how they live, which is quite well and with many little extravagances other people would want. This is because they actually aren't a 'real' family; they're a corporate selling unit, put together by a company looking to have a family sell to the richest yuppies, young and middle-aged or old, in the area, by creating envy and, ultimately, mass consumption.

It's a wicked little game made up so that all of the relationships of the Jonses with the outside world are of a shallow, synthetic nature by design. There can be attachments, but it's preferred that things stay on a simple, amiable social-networking level so that more people buy more stuff to fill in their big-ass houses. What the filmmakers explore is this idea, but also the nature of the family "unit", and what happens with these people when they're around each other for such a period of time. Kate (Moore) is the leader of the unit, making sure everyone is up to par on their sale percentages, especially Steve (Duchovney) a failed golf pro turned car salesman who is on shaky ground. 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. It hints at being a dark look at suburbia, and hints at a kind of under-the-mat aspect like American Beauty. But the characters don't get very well defined after their initial set up; Steve is the good guy, Kate is the slightly conflicted working woman, Mick the closeted homosexual 'son', and Jenn the girl sleeping with a married man, or whomever she can find (i.e. Steve). 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). And the last several minutes of the film is especially too 'happy', meaning that whatever scathing undercurrent of capitalist nightmare realized going on in the first half of the film is resolved in such a way that is obvious.

However, this shouldn't discourage what is good about the film, because what is good is very good. When the script is witty it's very witty, and when the actors are likable, they shine off the screen. 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. It's simply an excellent premise that takes off only so much as to its conventional screenplay will allow (some intrusive songs also don't help much and sort of detract from more dramatic points).

After I saw a preview at a local theater for this movie, I got interested because of David Duchovny. I really liked his acting in Californication and was interested how he would act in a standard comedy/drama film, or so it would seem from the preview I saw. Because this movie is much more then a standard comedy/drama film. It deals with much more moral questions about life. I won't give much away, because you really have to go into this film not knowing anything, as I did. The acting was just good, with only Duchovny excelling. Once you understand what's going on in the movie, the script is a bit predictable, but not so much as that it would ruin the movie for you. Also, I don't understand why this movie isn't much bigger. It's made hardly any money and no one's heard about it, yet it's a film that stands out and should get more attention.

I went into this movie because I'm a fan of Duchovny and was expecting a mediocre film, but it turned out to be so much more.

Go see this film, you won't be disappointed.

It's not often you can sit down for a couple of hours of genuine entertainment and come away feeling like you've just learned a thing or two about life. 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. The little facial expressions, the subtle glances, the telling pauses, the body language... everything that makes film a medium of intense impact is used to tremendous effect, all expertly guided by the emerging artistry of director Derrick Borte.

It's almost impossible to be unconsciously sucked-in by these characters on the screen, in virtually the same way their celluloid neighbors are likewise seduced by everything about them. Yet, there's an underlying discord, an uncomfortable, inescapable tension that pervades the truly captivating plot and persists through genuinely amusing humor, signaling your gut that something is not quite right. It is only with the full unfolding of the plot that we come to realize just how profoundly twisted things are -- all the more disturbing because this fictional set piece is a shockingly true-to-life reflection of the world all around us.

It is genuine enlightenment to witness the choices made when the characters are ultimately forced to resolve the true issues they confront.

The Joneses begins with the arrival of a perfect family to a perfect community, with elegant houses, manicured courtyards and friendly neighbors; needless to say that the things are not like they seem. 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. However, the message keeps feeling valid, and I also liked the humanity that screenwriter Derrick Borte (who was also the director) brought to the characters. Nevertheless, it could be said from another point of view that the emphasis on the characters' relationships with each other withdraws force to the satire, and as a consequence, I could not feel an adequate connection between both aspects.

I think that the performances are this film's main pro. I think that David Duchovny already surpassed the stigmata of Agent Mulder thanks to his work in independent films and in the excellent TV series Californication; I think his performance in The Joneses shows him equally credible. As for Demi Moore, she reminds us that she is not only a celebrity, but also a solid actress whenever she works with the right material. Her work in The Joneses is subtle and honest, something which can perfectly express the internal conflict her character has during the whole movie. 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. However, I can give it a slight recommendation because it kept me moderately entertained because of the solid performances and some interesting aspects from the screenplay.

Before I saw this film, I really didn't know what to expect, but then as I started watching, it really delivered. David Duchovny and Demi Moore are fantastic as Kate and Steve Jones, the seemingly perfect couple in the ridiculously perfect neighborhood. I especially liked the way in which the director, Derrick Borte, conveyed a feeling to the audience that something just isn't quite right with this family. This movie really makes you think about what you buy and why exactly you buy it. It was highly entertaining and also had an important and rather satirical message about American consumerism and the art of "keeping up with the Joneses."

"The Joneses" asks, can you keep up with the Joneses (David Duchovny and Demi Moore)? And the answer is yes. The plot has enough original twists and turns to keep it interesting, but not so many that you can still notice the few levels of nuance and intelligence that they added.

A very original take on the "keeping up with the Joneses" idea - everybody wants what the Joneses have. It may sound like any other film where we watch rich people live their selfish lives, but they quickly turn that on its head. It's much more clever and interesting. The creative premise can seem a bit far-fetched but it was immediately brought back down to Earth with the realism of the characters. I was completely intrigued by these characters, and particularly impressed with the emotion that was shining from beneath Duchovny's handsome surface.

I had no idea what to expect from "The Joneses". And, well, that's exactly what I got - something that I never could have expected. And it was great. This film is original and intelligent, especially with some of their perceptions of society. It can be a bit cynical at times but that just adds some dark humour which all the best films have. I highly recommend "The Joneses", especially for people who like a little bit of thought and originality in films.

The Joneses is a great mediocre movie. 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. Clients pay credible sources to promote a product, and product sales go up. It's a pretty simple math equation. With the advent of the Internet, bloggers, and social media, we're now seeing firsthand that consumers no longer rely on advertisements to change their behaviors, they rely on their communities. The Joneses takes this simple concept just one step further. They are a perfect family, paid to promote a lifestyle.

On paper, the Joneses are living the dream. A beautiful family with David Duchovny playing husband, Demi Moore playing wife, and two kids played by equally as attractive individuals that have everything they want and more. The twist? Everything they own, from their house to their hour de' vours, were paid for in return for a selfless promotion and subtle push of a product. With each family member responsible for a certain percentage of sales, we see dad commandeering the sale of golf clubs, brother slanging new products from Sony, sister making waves in makeup sales, and mom showcasing her newest line of shoes. It's all fake, but it works. They are living the dream, and everyone around them wants a piece of the action.

The film quickly takes a slight turn for the worse when the Joneses realize, despite all the glitz and glamor, that they really aren't so happy after all. They alienate friends, have no real family, and influence those around them to spend so much money to attain something less substantial than they already have. 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. It's a great mediocre movie, but I'm typically now in the mood to recommend mediocre regardless of how good it is. The Joneses gets two stars, I wouldn't work to hard to promote it, but in the end I'll say that it's a semi-pleasant product.

For more reviews, visit http://www.popcornjury.com

Michael Buffa-Editor, Popcorn Jury

Undecided as to which genre of film to watch last night, I thought I'd opt for a seemingly lighthearted movie to kill some time. My feelings by the end of the film were still the same, what genre film had I just watched? If it was a romantic film it failed to make me care or be excited by the prospect of a relationship, if it was a comedy it failed to make me laugh. The film didn't make me feel any empathy for the characters and while I enjoyed the actors' performances, it fell flat on the entertainment value. I successfully predicted all the way through exactly what would happen. The film had no driving force, didn't seem to be building up to anything and the clichéd ending wasn't the closure I wanted.

However it was not all bad. It was very well shot, with beautiful sets and was visually exciting, with first class editing. It was an original plot, based on a solid concept. Because of this it could have been really good, offering the audience a mirror in which to view themselves and what society has become. Whilst it did become a bit of a thinker and made me wonder what extent we go to, to have the best of everything it ultimately failed to truly strike at the heart of the topic and left me feeling like there were gaps that should have been filled throughout the film.

Overall; a watchable film but not entirely enjoyable.

One of the few times I've been able to leave a full-price theater thinking that it was totally worth it. I hadn't seen any previews or trailers (watching TV on the web means that my ad exposure is *very* skewed), so I had only the teensy summary on the movie theater website to go by. Thus, I can't speak to others' criticisms of the movie not living up to the hype.

It's not super-dark, and I don't think that it goes far enough to be considered truly satirical, particularly given the fact that some of the characters experience a type of redemption, but it's one of the most self-aware movies I've seen in ages.

I tried to think of more movies like TYFS to include for comparison, but am coming up short. Therefore, all I can say is that I'd love to see more movies that merge cynical/comedic/dramatic elements so thoroughly.

I saw this film at TIFF 2009, and the crowd of 1500 was blown away!!!! Didn't really know much about the story prior, but was psyched to see Salmen Rushdie at premiere. This was pitched as a drama, but there were laughs all the way through. Very cool. The chemistry between Duchovny and Demi was explosive, and Amber Heard was even hotter. Great story, very well told. I highly recommend it to all looking for a smart, funny, biting ride!!!! Like Truman Show meets American Beauty. Great music, cinematography, acting, direction. This is just what America needs!!!! TIFF brochure said it best..."We should start thinking about who we want to be, not what we want to buy". This film will be the subject of water-cooler discussions once it hits theaters.

This is a film all salespeople should watch, because it hammers close to home, and contains some nuggets of techniques to impart. 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. Recently moving into a new neighbourhood, the Jones family soon become the envy of their neighbours, with everyone lapping up what they drive, drink, wear and have. 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. Will we trade relationship for that climb up the corporate ladder? Will we not team up with fellow colleagues to ensure we capitalize on each other's strengths? And why not also go all out with joint marketing efforts? It also pays off for looking physically attractive, because like it or not, a beautiful face with the right kind of networking contacts and connections, get plenty of doors opened.

There's plenty to like from this Derrick Borte film from a Randy T. Dinzler story, which examines the effect of consumerism on relationships between family members, neighbours and society in general, critiquing in a nice manner without adding insult to injury when we see shades of ourselves in one or more of the characters. There's plenty of sharp wit, cheeky winks and double meanings going around, that you can't help but to chuckle at, and with the characters, who exercise the mantra of not mixing business with personal, but soon find themselves, through their various character arc subplots, crossing the line with various consequences.

In similar vein with Thank You For Smoking, The Joneses had plenty going for it as you sit back and watch society's faults and woes on display, with a dash of comedy and a tinge of pathos thrown in. For the cynic in me I would have liked it if it had ended on a bleaker note given how society self-destructs when some of us spend beyond our means just to show off, but I guess again in times like these where most parts of the world are bouncing out of a recession, that glimmer of hope about the light at the end of the tunnel would likely be more welcome. Highly recommended, and I'll not hesitate to shortlist this film as one of the best of this year!

The Jones family moves into an upscale community and everything seems perfect, but this family has an agenda.

And, they say there is nothing new under the sun. HA ! Just wait until you see this story. It's more than just keeping up with the Joneses. Much more. A new twist has been added. Maybe it was just a matter of time before we saw something like this, but the wait is over. It's here now.

When I first watched the first few minutes in the beginning, I was wary. Hey, I remember The STING and I said, "Con." But, I was wrong. It's not that. Not exactly.

The acting performances by Duchovny and Moore are seamless. Their performances are so understated and honest that you buy into and enjoy everything. Nothing is overdone. The dialogues by all the cast are also seamless and honest. No really uncomfortable moments. You know something is wrong with this family, but what? Oh, you do find out early on and when you know, then you need to see how it ends. But, after that, everything ran smoothly and I kept asking myself, "what could go wrong? what could go wrong?" And, of course, something does.

Violence: No. Sex: Not really, you just hear the sounds Nudity: Yes, briefly in the beginning. Sexual content: Yes. Teenage drinking: Yes. Language: Yes.

A sleek, well-made but disappointing movie. It starts as a critic of consumer society and corporations with loads of potential. After a while all the potential is burned and it turns into what it should be a caricature of: A lame, long advertisement. Sex and love between "mom" and "dad" becomes the main issue, and with this focus on micro level issues it is typically American. Had this movie been European the main actors would have made love, too, but this would not have become the whole point of the movie. Even the common denominator of the "father" and "son", doubting their fake life, is not used for anything - potential burned, again. When what could have been a powerful message about society became washed away by an improbable escape into private life, I was left sad.

There are neighbors you marry, neighbors who disturb you, neighbors you accept, neighbors who isolate, neighbors like yourself. And there are also neighbors like the Jones family.

They are just there for one reason: To sell things. Things they make you feel you need, not at least because...yes, indeed...your neighbors have them.

This is an immense attack on commercialism and that kind of marketing people who will do anything to you, just to accelerate their careers. This kind of anti-capitalistic films Hollywood in fact always has been doing. And this is certainly one for 2010.

I like the general premise of this movie, that people regularly allow their behavior to be controlled by market forces no matter how unscrupulous and exploitative those forces are. Directly exploring the idea that we all too easily allow greed-driven marketers to manipulate us into spending large amounts of money - which we often cannot afford, as exemplified by the eventual fate of the next-door neighbor - is laudable and this film does not completely miss the mark on that point. However, when one of the characters gets a new car in which the make of the car is so blatantly showcased by name and visually, and several characters are fawning over the car, I began to wonder just which group of oblivious innocents was really being sold a bill of marketing goods: the neighbors via the plot, or we the audience via yet another movie become multiple ads?

The acting is good, the script is weak and the plot is an interesting idea but not developed very well and is not believable at all. There seem to be many practical and even legal difficulties:

1. Is it really financially feasible to outlay the expenditure required to establish this affluent fake family, to justify increasing the spending habits of the people they come into contact with?

2. Can the marketing corporation really track the success of individual members of the fake family well enough even to know specifically which family member has caused increased spending in specific industries? (Mom is the only one who increases spending in make-up, Dad is the only one who influences sporting goods sales, Son is the only one who influences video-game sales, etc? Please.)

3. Are the family members who are posing as high-school students really high-school aged? If they are I would think there are all kinds of labor laws being broken and numerous other legal problems, and if not then having an overage person enrolled in a high school and under a necessarily false identity is probably illegal in every state also. Either way, the likely prospect of sexual activity between the fake kids and the minors they encounter, which seems to be encouraged by the marketing company they work for (the visiting supervisor pushes them to establish boyfriend/girlfriend relationships) is a major legal stumbling block.

4. Can fake family units really be set up over and again with the necessary secrecy maintained? It seems a tactic destined to be exposed eventually, and to cause a lot of damage to the marketing company involved and the products they promote.

This is far too much disbelief to suspend. Even movie audiences have limits to our gullibility.

Much as we liberally educated intellectuals disdain materialism, or at least say we do, a film that features the toys of the well-to-do carries an allure, a cheap pleasure appealing to our basest materialistic instincts. 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). They're all working the con, selling by showing to every stratum of the newly-wealthy. This first segment of the film, which shows them working their game, is as entertaining as one of Danny Ocean's capers, only less obvious and perhaps more dangerous because of its detachment from the normal heist.

The tension comes when exposure of the con looms and more importantly when one or more of the "unit" begins to have scruples about the game. Chaucer would approve of the moral ambiguities and the threat of retribution by the gods of righteousness. Unfortunately as things begin to come apart, the film turns from slick to sluggish, from fresh to cliché.

As a moralized tale The Joneses is best when we are witnessing the smooth con; the denouement is too much of mom arriving when our hand has just left the cookie jar and lying is not going to work. But as long as Moore and Duchovny are achieving some level of screwball amusement, the film is better than most other dramadies out there today.

Specifically nobody's family is perfect. But did we really need ninety-five minutes of absolute nothing to tell us this? Probably not, but it might have been excusable if it was actually done with some substance or style. Both of which are lacking in the Joneses. The Jones' family is not truly a family at all. They are a professional sales "unit" whose job it is to influence the demographics buying habits within the neighborhood their employer set them up in. There's a mother and father, a teenage son and daughter, but no dog. That seemed unusual to me considering what their employer was going for, but hey it didn't really matter. In fact, nothing in the movie really matters because you can never get a feel for the characters. No real interest in their situation or their feelings is established. So when problems do arise out of this make-believe reality (yes I know that's a contradiction), you're not affected one way or the other. Apathy is probably the worst that can happen when watching a film, and The Joneses succeeds admirably.

Without a sense of who the characters are, where they came from, their motivations, it's impossible to be involved in the unfolding of the plot. At about 50 minutes in I gave up hope of it kicking into gear and finished it only because I don't like to leave things incomplete. Maybe the writers should be more like me. This film seems underdeveloped to say the least. However Demi Moore does look absolutely fantastic even after all these years, so I guess that's one bright spot in all this.

Still, unless you plan on ogling Moore's profile for the entire hour and half, just skip it. Even if you do see it, you'll forget all about it the second the credits roll.

It's not as ridiculous as the Stepford Wives, for instance, so at least there is some potential for suspension of disbelief, but as an actual plot line . . . well . . .

But OK, let's go ahead and suspend that disbelief, shall we? 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 . . .

OK, who knows, maybe this sort of thing actually happens? But for the everyday average working person,. this entire universe being painted seems, implausible at best.

What is interesting about this film is to see Demi Moore in action. Oddly enough (how surprising) she plays the perfect no holds barred, I'll do anything to anyone no matter what, ambitious business woman. That part fits her perfectly . . . central casting pegged her perfectly for this part. The only real flaw in this entire escapade is when Demi's character suddenly discovers she might actually have . . . gasp . . . 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? Well, yeah . . . as I said, watching Demi Moore basically playing herself is perhaps the most interesting character element to watch, but that's just my opinion.

David Duchovney and Demi Moore are The Joneses. The Joneses won't be for everybody. But it's different from any other movie that you'll see this year,i'll assure you of that. As far as entertainment value comes, The Joneses succeeds.

David Duchovney and Demi Moore play a supposed couple who moves into a new house with their kids. But as it turns out(spoiler alert!) none of these people know each other. Demi Moore is their boss. She goes house to house with a new family each time, trying to sell things or something like that. Or showing off their items to others so then the other people will purchase them.

While living with each other, things start to unravel. They each find out a little about each other. And things start to fall apart. And soon enough, everyone is wondering who The Joneses really are.

The Joneses is billed as a comedy. I didn't necessarily find it that funny. I found it more interesting than funny. The film is well acted. It's very entertaining,and it's highly original. Is it as original as something like Inception? No. Well, nothing this year will go against Inception.

The Joneses isn't great. If it was aiming to be a comedy, it fails. And I didn't fully understand parts of it. But I found the movie to be entertaining, and you won't see anything like it. I know I won't. The Joneses is a weird little movie that I think should be rented.

3/4

But then again,there's no skullduggery involved but it sure smells like it.But then again,does skullduggery mean, in a sense, trickery or manipulativeness? Hmmm....this thing is perplexing.

Upon exiting the theater, this thought came came to mind;there's a program preceding "Desperate Housewives" that's all about building homes for free for unfortunate families. You know, the show MCed by the guy with all the wild hair? Well anyway,are we positive that the familial recipients of the free home are really family? Could it possibly be that they are actors hired as part of a " TV game" to sell big ticket items by well- known companies whose products must either be in or on every home in the United States or else the home really isn't a home? Before you come back and accuse me of being heartless, which I'm not,think about the possibility and if you can't, then by all means, see "The Jonses."

Could it be that writer Randy T. Dinzler came up with the "Jonses" storyline from seeing that aforementioned program? Maybe. Maybe not but it's something to think about or then again, maybe the reverse is true? At any rate, it's fun to speculate.

"The Jonses" is an ACE picture, from start to finsh. The story is simply this: a fake family moves into a ritzy neighborhood with the intention of selling everything possible but surreptitiously in order to make scads of money for the company for whom they work, for themselves and to become an "icon class" i.e. a CELL with such a high volume selling status that manufacturers would have to consult with them first before releasing new products.

The story isn't, by a long shot, all about selling. 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.

What! A! Gem! Just came back from a special screening, since the film hasn't opened yet but I think it opens in mid-April.

Demi Moore and David Duchovny have this chemistry that shines thru. Amber Heard is excellent also as well as Ben, portraying the kids in the Joneses family. I looked at previous reviews someone wrote the film is "timely" and I completely agree. Excellent job everyone involved! Great script and directing, not bad at all for a first time feature director Mr. Borte.

Hope this film does well as I firmly believe everyone has to see it.

I voted 10/10!

THE JONESES – TRASH IT ( C ) The Joneses has really unusual and interesting script but sadly the movie fell flat because it's neither comedy nor dark nor even a family dysfunctional drama. The concept about pretentious rich family is really appealing but it would have been more appealing if there would have been any soul to the characters. At times you get connected to the characters but in the next sequence it's all gone and again you're watch meritocracy at its best. Demi Moore looked stunning as always and David Duchovny well he is better then before. The chemistry between Demi & David works sometimes but most of the times they just say the lines and there isn't much chemistry between them. Amber heard is Hot as usual & this time again we get to see her Beautiful Body. Ben Hollingsworth is a good looking guy and did a fine job. Overall it's totally a mediocre movie with unusual concept which could have better if the director/Writer would have tried to bring more dept into the story.

This film is billed as a satirical comedy, but it is neither satirical nor funny. You are supposed to think that the characters realise how shallow their job is and choose to make a change towards something more real. Nice idea, but shame that the whole film is like one long advert. The first half an hour is close ups of the brands that the characters (and subsequently the film) are pushing on the 'punters' (and anyone that has paid to see this film). I understand the idea of product placement but this film is a great example of what it is supposedly mocking. All of my three points are for the excellent acting by David Duchovny.

I really enjoyed this film. The premise is interesting, and is revealed in a really clever way, and the ending was very satisfying, and wrapped up the arc of the main characters in a very satisfying way.

I looked at a number of reviews from professional journalists before watching the film, and I have to say that some of them were pretty unfair. Other reviewers have talked about the ending being weak, but I don't see what else the filmmakers could do – you have to resolve the characters, otherwise what you get is the audience walking away wondering why they spent 90 minutes watching and caring about these characters in the first place.

Which is how I felt at the end of Up in the Air – and I think the analogies work here. Up in the Air worked really well emotionally, but thematically left me wondering how the main character had changed since the beginning of the film. 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. The logic makes sense (whereas Up in the Air has the company fire people over the internet and then suddenly not, even though the original complaints about the process are never answered), the character arcs resolve, and the tone, which is a very difficult one to set here (is it comedy, is it biting satire, is it a romantic comedy….no it's all of them…), always keeps you on your toes. 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 rarely gush about contemporary movies, but going to make an exception for "The Joneses." There are just too many good things to be said about this movie, can't believe some of the naysayers' comments.

Every aspect of this movie stands out, particularly the production values. The movie and actors are -beautifully- shot and directed in a way reminiscent of some of my favorite Australian movies ("Sirens" comes to mind off the bat). The fluent editing and score carry the viewer through at just the right pace, no artificial "camera angst" inflicted on the audience, no fits and starts, the feel is of a "cool road trip" wondering what will be seen next as opposed to the noxious "shaky cam" hyper-realism that plagues many movies today. Every single scene was well set and interesting. The script is excellent, casting excellent. Bravo Mr. Borte, and special kudos to Pam Mickelson (casting), Nick Urata (music), Susan Jacobs (music direction).

The acting is superb, from all cast members. Duchovny manages to tone down the Californication wise ass persona into a still snarky, but also genuine and lovable one of a lovesick man at a crossroads in life. Demi Moore, also a crossroads character, is outstanding as the hardened careerist who gradually cracks under Duchovny's persistent charms. The chemistry between Moore and Duchovny is sizzling and sincere. Cole and Headly are pros at the top of their game as usual, perfectly subdued as foils who manage to bring humor and warmth to their roles in every scene. Lauren Hutton is a perfect icy corporate dark-suit without becoming a typical Hollywood evil business caricature (amazingly the movie is devoid of political slant, so refreshing not to be banged about the head by some too-earnest filmmaker's agenda). Heard and Hollingsworth seem like old pros in measure with their youthful beauty and exuberance. Both of them are so otherworldly gorgeous, yet they rise way above eye candy status.

To the allegory part, this movie, moreso than American Beauty, captures the modern American suburban condition and dilemma, and unlike American Beauty, manages to do so free of ideological baggage and heavy-handed clichés. By keeping the tone light, we never feel "preached down to," or proselytized. The movie is devoid of an "us v them" feel that lots of modern allegories contain, and is more wryly structured as "us v us." Ironically, the message of the movie is most applicable to the deluge of viral marketing devaluing the internet as an information source. The sales method in the Joneses is identical to the way entertainment is marketed on the net currently. Will coin the term here "virola," ("viral" + "payola") to describe the obnoxious phenomenon. 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. We are all of us the "Joneses." Had always hoped someone would do a treatment reminiscent of the Talking Heads song "Found a Job," (worth googling the lyrics if you liked this movie) and the Joneses is pretty spot on in doing that.

I did take one star off a perfect ten for a "test audience" type ending that seemed tacked on. The movie should have Duchovny and Moore heading their separate ways having made their individual decisions.

This review is admittedly gushy, if you think it's shill hype, read some of my others and you will know instantly it's fo real.