As previously mentioned, I went to see Derrick Borte's directorial debut with THE JONESES tonight. The film dares to ask the question: what if the family down the street that you're trying to keep up with isn't a family at all?
The Joneses; Matriarch, Demi Moore and newly added patriarch, David Duchovny are the heads of a family unit deployed to a small, upscale community to get their neighbors to want what they have. Companies sponsor them, and they in turn, for lack of a better word, pimp the product to their unsuspecting friends and neighbors. A gorgeous Amber Heard and Ben Hollingsworth (of the quickly canceled "The Beautiful Life") round out their family unit. Each member has their own problems, of course, with no real family members to turn to. As their lives unravel, connections form and their lie catches up to them, our ideal family has to determine whether it's worth it or not to live (and sell) the American dream.
The quality of the film isn't the greatest, but David Duchovny and Demi Moore's performances more than make up for that. Truth be told I had forgotten about both of them for some time and am glad to see them back on the scene (if it only be the limited release screen). Moore is the most developed character and brings a wonderful depth to her facade.
Next to Moore and Duchovny, Glenne Headly shines as Summer, a neurotic and broken spirited neighbor who finds herself victim of the American dream. She steals every scene she's in (yes, even the dramatic ones).
It's dark, timely and entertaining, but one can't help but feel that the ending was slapped on to appease the shmuck that goes to the movie for a happy ending. Borte clearly wanted to make a darker film than his studio allowed. The film succeeds, but it's interesting to image what could have happened if Borte would have gotten his way.
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