Eye For Film >> Movies >> Step Brothers (2008) Film Review
Nancy (Mary Steenburgen) and Robert (Richard Jenkins) get married and move in together. Each has a 40-year-old son in tow, who hasn't left home. As you might expect, these two... shall we say idiosyncratic men don't take well to each other. Brennan and Dale (Will Ferrell and John C Reilly) cause all manner of problems for their families.
"It's the latest Will Ferrell film" is all you really need to know. He and John C Reilly continue their double act from Talladega Nights, and have great fun in the process. It's highly self-indulgent, but it's the sort of indulgence that brings the audience along. You'll watch, you'll laugh, you'll have a great time, you'll quote the cheesy lines with your friends afterwards.
Ferrell and Reilly are fantastic comic actors. They're ably supported by Steenburgen and Jenkins. Adam Scott is delightfully sleazy as Brennan's brother, Derek. Kathryn Hahn steals the show with her portrayal of Derek's oppressed wife. All the supporting characters slot in perfectly. The script is peppered with the usual improvisation, with everyone holding their own and keeping it fresh.
If you're looking for a silly comedy, you won't go far wrong with Step Brothers. Everything it does, it does well. My only criticism is that it doesn't build on Ferrell's earlier work – he's got the ability to push on and take his career to an even higher level. Everything is all very funny, but there's a slight nagging doubt it could be even better still. That's just nitpicking on my part though. Watch it; you'll love it.
Reviewed on: 14 Feb 2009