I’m not much for outtakes. They’re most often found during the credits of bad comedies which seems kinda pathetic – “look at the jokes that didn’t even make it into Pink Panther 2” However, I loved this one – the Millers are a fake family. Dad David (Jason Sudeikis) is a small-time drug dealer in trouble with the big boss (Ed Helms). To save his ass, he offers to mule. Yes, I did that on purpose. He creates a fake family as subterfuge to foil border authorities. These include stripper wife Rose (Jennifer Aniston), runaway daughter Casey (Emma Roberts) and loner zilch Kenny (Will Poulter). When the family passes border patrol and finds themselves relatively safe in the U.S. with an RV full of pot, it’s time for a celebratory moment. In the film, the triumphant accompaniment song is TLC’s “Waterfalls” setting up an hilarious white-rap moment with square Kenny. In the outtake, the radio starts playing The Rembrandt’s “I’ll Be There for You” … only nobody has told Jennifer Aniston. Her reaction is priceless. And bless you if you get the joke.
We’re the Millers doesn’t try to be anything other than a comedy. We don’t generally root for drug dealers, strippers, runaways and zeroes. I like that. I was thinking afterwards how this plot is no more farfetched or realistic than, say, Identity Thief, but unlike Thief, Millers never tried to sell me on a good v. evil angle. Here, there is survival and failure. David has to meet a deadline. Will has been bitten in the balls by a spider. David’s plan? 
Ditch Will at the hospital and move. Priorities, man! Yes, this is our hero.
It’s difficult to say, “I enjoyed a film in which Luis Guzmán blackmailed a man into giving him a blowjob.” Believe me, it is very difficult indeed. I think the strength of Millers lies exactly in the idea that there isn’t a greater good here. There’s a runaway girl speed-dating a carnie with a prominently-displayed “NO RAGRETS” tattoo and two mediocre adults left wondering if they should do anything about the red flags raised here.
The casting is the best part of We’re the Millers. Jason Sudeikis is quickly becoming somebody whose name I care to spell correctly (It’s J-A-S-O-N, right?). Jennifer Aniston is suddenly finding good roles and Emma Roberts is a name you’ll see around for decades. The big find here, however, is Will Poulter, as the pathetic abandoned teen. I had to be reminded this kid was fantastic in Son of Rambow. Oh, yeah. There’s genius in the idea that the illusion of a fake family is better than an actual fake family, which we see all the time in movies. When these family members show no concern for another, we don’t feel a thing because, hey, they’re not really mother-daughter, dad-son what have you. And when they show actual kindness or empathy, it’s like an added bonus because our expectations were so low.
And I really dug the Jennifer Aniston striptease.
The collected family is fake
With a plan distinctly half-bake
Entertaining, I say
Impossible? No way
This whole thing is one big mistake
Rated R, 110 Minutes
D: Rawson Marshall Thurber
W: Bob Fisher, Steve Faber, Sean Anders & John Morris
Genre: Adultish comedy, childish plot
Type of person most likely to enjoy this film: How would you like to see a spider-bitten engorged testicle?
Type of person least likely to enjoy this film: God-squaders
