Like, right on, man. Ned(Paul Rudd) is a lovable but dim-witted, all too trusting stoner with a mountain man beard and the wardrobe of a blind eight year old. He also has no filter between his brain and his mouth, which keeps getting him into trouble. But Ned's a genuinely good guy, and it's hard not to fall for his "aw shucks" routine. Unless you're his three, equally screwed up sisters, all afflicted with varying degrees of selfishness.
After selling weed to a uniformed cop and proving himself to be an epic moron, Ned is released back out into the world with nowhere to go. His girlfriend has shacked up with an even bigger oaf, taking Ned's home and his dog, Willy Nelson, with her. Forced into the overcrowded lives of his three siblings, Ned is a whirlwind of ignorant honesty that shatters everyone's lives. Liz(an uglied up Emily Mortimer), has let herself go after motherhood and marriage to her aloof husband(Steve Coogan). There's relationship is a quiet shambles, and Ned's arrival only serves to screw things up further.
Miranda(Elizabeth Banks) is a self centered social climber, anxious to exploit anybody, including her hapless bro, to advance her own journalist career. To her, Ned's earthy, laid back spirit makes him a nobody. Natalie(Zooey Deschanel) is the most confused of all, unsure of her path in life on multiple fronts. A desperately flailing stand up comedian, she can't seem to get comfortable in her relationship with Cindy(Rashida Jones).
There's a Judd Apatow vibe running through this film, especially in Ned's seeming inability to tackle life in any way approaching maturity. Unfortunately the script lacks Apatow's ability to create likable and believable characters. There's a wealth of talent here capable of exploring some of the deep resentments prevalent in this oddball family, but all we ever get are sterotypes and razor thin attempts at humor. I've had enough lousy hippie jokes to last me a lifetime.
It's Rudd's performance that keeps Our Idiot Brother from becoming a total disaster. He has the most difficult job by far, and leaves us wondering whether Ned is a truly an idiot or just too happy and trusting for his own good. He's the type of guy who may be too good for the people in his own world. It's an idea the story just barely approaches, and when it does things get pretty interesting for awhile. Unfortunately it doesn't last. With a cast like this, I expected a lot more.
