‘We’re the Millers’ Review: Bumpy Road Trip

We’re The Millers is a comedy that tries very hard to hit different notes and tones. At one point throws a “family friendly” gag, then a graphic shot of male genitalia, and right after a super cheesy “heart-warming” moment. Many scenes feel forced and mechanical, like if the script had “Insert gross-out joke here”, “insert politically incorrect reference here”, or “insert striptease here”.

To hit those marks the gags start to get very random and the characters less believable. I felt sometimes that Jason Sudeikis was in “Saturday Night Live mode”, moving from one sketch to the next. The positive to this kind of mix is that something will appeal to someone. You will surely laugh a few times when the story explores, momentarily, your kind of humor.

Luis Guzman’s appearance is brief but he leaves his mark, either because you enjoy it or find it uncomfortable. But the points We’re The Millers scores with Latinos by including this talent, are dramatically lost a few minutes later.

The scene in question has the fake family about to be busted by the authorities at the border. Suddenly, a group of Hispanics appear from under the RV and start running away. The officer starts shooting them and says something like “Sorry folks, I will have to let you go. This happens all the time!” and takes off shooting.

I don’t consider offensive most things Latinos complain about in Hollywood movies. I also think that you can tackle the most horrible things with humor (the hilarious ‘Top Secret’ featuring Nazis in WWII is a great example).

But there has to be a purpose. Is there a message in the satire? A fresh or witty take on the subject in question? Instead, the movie showcases abuse against migrants as a cheap excuse to move the main characters to their next adventure. I can’t understand how the filmmakers thought that sequence was necessary and worth it.

It is always welcoming to see stars and a big studio like Warner Bros/New Line. doing films with adults in mind. But instead of trying to mix The Hangover with 80’s comedies (like “Vacation” in this case),` new and riskier roads should be taken.

We’re The Millers is in theaters now.