We're The Millers

The new comedy by Rawson Marshall Thurber of Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story fame, might pass muster for an undemanding popcorn audience but fails lamentably to engage more sophisticated viewers.

Vulgar and inane are the adjectives that spring most readily to mind in its aftermath. It’s rather a one-joke affair – the Millers are in fact a made-up middle class family careering around in a motor home.

The ruse is that David (played by Jason Sudeikis) who after college has been caught in a time warp, still trying to deal in pot, is hired by his supplier (Ed Helms, going way over the top) to bring a huge drugs consignment from Mexico to Denver.

David hits on the idea of creating the “normal” American family to accompany him and to confound and allay the fears of any of the border guards who may get suspicious on their return journey with a vehicle packed to the gunnels with illicit substances.

Along for the ride at his request are Jennifer Aniston as an unlikely career stripper who lives in the same apartment block, Will Poulter's gauche adolescent (also a neighbour) and a streetwise punk (played with some conviction by Emma Roberts).

Once Tomer Sisley, as the drugs boss, and his one-eyed henchman (Matthew Willig) realise the drugs have been mistakenly given into their possession a frantic chase ensues.

The film's better moments are provided when they hook up with a real “normal” family in another motor home (Nick Offerman and Kathryn Hahn, with Molly Quinn as their shy daughter). As a result of misunderstandings, the quartet of adults get involved a dubious liaison.

Thurber directs with broad brush strokes rather any finesse although the myriad close calls, mistaken identities and persuasions do produce their moments - but not when the teenage boy gets stung in a sensitive place by an evil-looking spider. Any male is likely to wince involuntarily in sympathy.

Everyone involved seems desperately pleased with themselves which may explain the dreadfully unfunny outtakes Thurber inflicts on us over the closing credits – but by that time you suspect that many of the audience will have taken to their heels.