Step Brothers

***
Release Date: August 29th 2008

Two aimless middle-aged losers still living at home are forced against their will to become roommates when their parents get married.

Director: Adam McKay (Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy)

Starring: Will Ferrell, John C. Reilly, Mary Steenburgen, Richard Jenkins, Adam Scott, Kathryn Hahn

Step Brothers is the Marmite of all films. Either you're going to love it and laugh at every moment, or hate it, and wonder why the parents of the two immature, 40 year old sons put up with such nonsense.

Brennan (Ferrell) and Dale (Reilly) still live with both of their parents. Nancy (Steenburgen) is the mother of Brennan, and Robert (Jenkins) the father of Dale. They are forced to not just live with each other, but share the same room when their parents tie the knot. They hate each other with a passion, Dale the more cocky, 'this is my territory' type, whilst Brennan pretends to be naive and innocent.

It's hard to believe that two grown men would still live with their parents, but what makes this work on camera is the chemistry between Ferrell and Reilly. The laughs throughout are the biggest and the best when they are together; building a bunk bed, getting beaten up by kids and both having episodes of sleepwalking.

Step Brothers relies heavily on the stupidity of its characters. Some parts/characters are believable, whilst others are over the top and generally irritating. Adam Scott is the brother of Ferrell, but happens to be the complete opposite of his older sibling. He's successful, has a great job, but he's smug about it, especially towards the duo, who I can't help but side with. Scott's character Derek may not be outrageously funny but he is the main influence in getting the pair to join forces midway through the film.  Derek's wife, Alice (Hahn) isn't a believable character and is mindlessly excessive. She's fed up with her relationship and throws herself at Dale at any opportunity she can get.    

The film trails off towards the end as the step brothers try to make amends for their wrong doings, as they are forced to grow up and get their act together. The ending feels rushed because they go from not caring to caring within a heartbeat. They've been nasty and horrible to their parents for many years, but suddenly, out of the blue, the last mishap turns them upside-down, leaving us with an ending that's happy, but ill fitting.

Overview: A great film for Will Ferrell fans, but like Will Ferrell and his sense of humour, it's not for everyone.