STEPBROTHERS (2008) *** movie review by COOP

People who go to see a movie starring Will Ferrell usually know what they’re in for. Juvenile humor, gross-out jokes, a man acting like a child… all these aspects are considered standard in his presence. So when people go to see them and come out complaining, it baffles me. It’s a Will Ferrell-type comedy with Will Ferrell-style humor.

Don’t count on this one being a humorous think-piece. That’s why “Stranger Than Fiction” bombed. Nobody wants to see a semi-serious Will Ferrell. “Stepbrothers” is exactly what you expect it to be. If you’re not sure about the degree of outrageousness, check the rating. This one is “R,” so you can expect the grossness and raunchiness to achieve high levels of offense. Skip it if you don’t care for this type of humor. If you previously liked films such as “The 40 Year-Old Virgin” and “Superbad,” this comedy has been created expressly for you. See this rude and crude laugh-riot immediately. In fact, this film reminds me of the Adam Sandler vehicle “Billy Madison,” only with a comic duo and a riskier rating.

When Dr. Robert Doback (Richard Jenkins) and Nancy Huff (Mary Steenburgen) meet at a medical conference, they form an instant attraction and get a quickie marriage. One of their strongest bonding points: both of them have unemployed 40 year-old sons that still live at home and mooch off of them. Much to the horror of the two sons, Dale (John C. Reilly) and Brennan (Ferrell), the two families move in together. This sparks first a hilariously intense stepsibling rivalry, then an evitable friendship as the two realize they have everything in common. When the parents decide to retire early to sail around the world, they send a clear message to both sons: “Get jobs and get out so we can sell the house.” What follows is a hilarious chain of events as the stepbrothers fail, learn to succeed and grow as human beings.

John C. Reilly has excellent comedic talents and plays well off of Ferrell, but Ferrell clearly steals each scene. I can imagine director Adam McKay telling him to act like an eight year-old and Ferrell running with it. Often, it’s hard to tell if their characters are supposed to be mentally deficient, but later it’s clear they are simply immature and over-the-top morons. It’s a screwball comedy. Realism is not a requirement; hijinks are. Some highlights include: The brothers fighting over a drum set, their similar sleepwalking habits, their attempt at a rap video, the father’s mental breakdown over their antics and the character Derek who forces his wife and children to sing an a cappella version of “Sweet Child ‘O Mine” in the car.

Richard Jenkins surprises as the harried father. Normally, he portrays ultra-serious authority figures, but he pulls off some great lines and scenes. Mary Steenburgen plays her predictable, sweet self as an enabling and overly supportive mother (and for some reason, she looked like she had spent way too much time in the tanning bed). Adam Scott steals a few scenes as Brennan’s successful, cocky and mean brother, Derek. Scott often plays this type of character, so it’s easy to revel in his eventual comeuppance. Some of the best, and raunchiest, scenes come from Derek’s unsatisfied wife, Alice (Kathryn Hahn) and her interaction with Dale. Derek bullies the stepbrothers mercilessly causing Dale to do something Brennan would never do… punch Derek out. This rebellious act catches Alice’s attention and she becomes obsessed with Dale, going to uproariously inappropriate lengths to express her attraction to him. Ferrell also has a love interest in a beautiful therapist whom he stalks and harasses throughout the film. How he finally lands her is absurd but how can you measure absurdity in a film where grown men karate chop pumpkins in their parents’ garage and get beat up by pre-teens?

I noticed some nice touches that emphasized the depth of Ferrell’s and Reilly’s immaturity. Ferrell always drinks blue Kool-Aid and Reilly always wears a “Star Wars” Yoda shirt. Ferrell has a samurai sword autographed by “American Idol’s” Randy Jackson and Reilly has a tree house loaded with “Hustler” magazines. Most amusing of all are the inventively profane insults and threats they hurl at each other when in enemy mode.

The ending sends mixed messages about the final lifestyle choices of Dale and Brennan. I suppose they learn a lot about themselves but the father’s advice to them at the climax seemed more like a symptom of a mental breakdown than a passionate lesson in “being yourself.” It’s not supposed to have a meaningful message. One look at Ferrell’s face and you can’t help but laugh. That’s all you need from this silly summer romp.

Don’t bring children to this film. Many viewers may be unaware of the R-rating until they hear the first few obscenities. This is nowhere near as clean as “Blades of Glory” or “Elf.” If you prefer your comedies moronic and zany, this one will appeal to you. However, don’t hunt me down and say, “I saw ‘Stepbrothers’ and didn’t care for it.” I’ve warned you already.

3 out of 5 stars

Trailer below…