'We're the Millers' Movie Review: An Engrossing, Hilarious Family Comedy

Warner Bros.' first big comedy of the summer was the disastrous and tasteless "Hangover Part 3." The film's character and story lacked any ingenuity or creativity and turned out to be a massive bore. The film was supposed to be the studio's big comedy blockbuster, but it turns out the real treat of the summer was still a few months away.

Enter "We're the Millers," a film about a drug dealer who gets robbed and is forced to take a trip to smuggle drugs across the border for his boss. Knowing that he needs to disguise himself he concocts the plan to hire a prostitute, a runaway girl, and an abandoned teenage boy to become his "family." The four drive an RV into Mexico, smuggle the drugs, and journey back home to recover a massive sum of money.

On the surface, "We're the Millers" doesn't seem like a promising film. A bunch of misfits come together to become a family and smuggle drugs. The road trip provides ample opportunity for gags, but past Hollywood forays into the drug smuggling business often result in stereotyping Mexicans and other Latin Americans. Also, trying to turn another "SNL" comedian into a movie star isn't a sure thing from an artistic standpoint (see Adam Sandler or Will Ferrell). The raunchy humor of recent comedies (like "The Hangover") coupled with studios' line of thought that stupid characters make good comedy could have made "We're the Millers" a mitigated disaster. But it isn't. Far from it, actually. Instead of the boneheaded characters featured in recent comedies like "The Hangover" or "Grown-Ups," "We're the Millers" has well-defined characters with diverse desires and needs. Instead of Mexican stereotypes, the whole drug issue becomes a MacGuffin rather than a massive theme. The raunchiness is limited to one scene and is tastefully portrayed. Most important of all: The film is a ton of fun. People are guaranteed to laugh throughout the movie.

The comedy comes from a number of terrific exchanges, including one particular moment in a barber shop that had audiences howling with laughter at its reflexive irreverence. However, the situations laid out by screenwriters Steven Farber and Bob Fisher and the energetic execution by the cast are what really make this film explode with excitement. In one scene, a character draws a "skateboard" that looks more like male genitals. In another scene one character's private parts undergo a rather disgusting transformation; the build-up, reaction and follow-up to this moment only add to the comedic timing. One of the most fascinating scenes features Will Poulter's Kenny kissing his "mom" Rose (Jennifer Aniston) and "sister" Casey (Emma Roberts) while his "father" David (Jason Sudeikis) films it. The climax of this scene drove the audience wild with laughter. Just when you think you've seen it all, the cast and crew throw something new and unexpected to rivet the viewer.

Poulter will likely be the talk of the town when this film comes out as his average dorky teenager is the most relatable character in many ways. He's honest and naïve, but he respects others and never judges. If "Star Wars" provided an ample comparison, he might be the C3PO of the crew in many ways. He suffers a lot of the burdens and has no say on the trajectory of the proceedings. He does have fun unforgettable moments such as the kissing scene and another moment in which he raps TLC's "Waterfalls."    

Sudeikis also gets ample time to show off his phenomenal comic timing. His remarks about Batman villain Bane and other pop-culture references ooze sarcasm. He always seems to find the right moment to slide in the sly remark that will instantly send the viewer into a flurry of laughter. However, the performance is not one-dimensional. Sudeikis actually manages to create a fully-developed arc for David. The sarcasm slowly disappears and there is a truthful compassion about his behavior toward his "family members" late in the movie.

Aniston also shines as Rose in a performance that demands a tremendous amount of physical exposure. She has a few scenes where she is scantily clad and must show off her stripper dance moves. In another, her breasts get fondled by another woman. Through it all, she gives off a charming strength that actually keeps the quartet balanced and honest.

Roberts gets the least "showy" part, but her off-handed remarks and aggressive behavior in earlier sections of the movie add some nice contrast to the often relaxed atmosphere created by the other characters. Her interactions with another character named Scottie P. (Mark L. Young) are some of the most memorable in the film.

Nick Offerman and Kathryn Hahn are unforgettable as a conservative couple that camps with the "Millers" for the night. Hahn's forays into hysterical behavior are among the most entertaining, while Offerman's tamer behavior sets up some terrifically exhilarating moments. 

Director Rawson Marshall Thurber deserves a tremendous amount of credit for keeping the film running at a steady pace for its duration. There is no single dead beat or gratuitous attempts at humor and it will surely thrill those who give it a try. "We're the Millers" is destined to be the surprise hit of the summer thanks to a terrific combination of cast, script, and direction.