Paul Rudd Is Lovably Stupid In This Streaming Dramedy That Will Break Your Heart
Sometimes you just need a good dramedy. If laughing and crying to the offbeat tune of quirky indie films is your jam, head to Peacock to stream the 2011 film Our Idiot Brother. Starring Paul Rudd, Elizabeth Banks, Zooey Deschanel, and Emily Mortimer, the film is a charming blend of emotions powered by irresistible performances from its beloved stars.
The Sexiest Man Alive Paul Rudd leads Our Idiot Brother, a warm-hearted dramedy streaming now on Peacock.
Paul Rudd headlines the film as Ned, the idiot brother of three sisters played by Banks, Deschanel, and Mortimer. Ned begins the story as a biodynamic agriculture farmer who is arrested for trying to sell marijuana to a police officer.
He is put on parole but is kicked out of his home by his live-in girlfriend, who has taken up a new lover. Ned and his dog, Willie Nelson, go to live with Ned’s first sister. His presence disrupts her dysfunctional marriage and after she deems Ned to be a poor influence on her son, she kicks Ned out.
He heads to the next sister’s house, reuniting Paul Rudd with his Role Models co-star Elizabeth Banks. There, Ned meddles in his sister’s romantic prospect and screws up a major professional opportunity. He is kicked out once again.
Ned finally stays with the last sister, played by Zooey Deschanel. His presence there blows up yet another relationship, leaving all three of his sisters’ lives in shambles. Ned violates his parole and winds up back in jail, where, even after his bail is posted, he refuses to leave.
Ned’s sisters reflect on their changed lives and gather to get Ned back into the world, bringing this teary-eyed comedy to a fulfilling conclusion. Paul Rudd delivers a dopey and lovable performance as he impacts the lives of his loved ones. Though he seems to tear things down wherever he goes, his presence puts his sisters on a difficult but necessary path to better their lives.
Our Idiot Brother is a film that, while not perfect, never fails to warm the heart. The clumsy Paul Rudd character proves that success can take many forms and that family is a force that is not to be underestimated.
The story for the film was conceived by brother/sister duo Jesse and Evgenia Peretz. Evgenia then authored the screenplay with her husband, David Schisgall. Jesse Peretz enlisted Paul Rudd in the film and approached Anthony Bregman, a producer he had previously collaborated with on the film The Ex.
Our Idiot Brother, bolstered by Paul Rudd, was a surprise hit, bringing in $25 million at the box office.
Bregman took the project to Peter Saraf and Marc Turtletaub of Big Beach Films, the producers behind movies like Little Miss Sunshine, Safety Not Guaranteed, and The Farewell. From there, the project came together at an incredible pace. In a matter of months, the film was shooting in New York City; less than a year after the script went to Big Beach, the movie was assembled.
Our Idiot Brother premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January of 2011 before it was released in theaters that August. Against an estimated budget of $5 million, the Paul Rudd-led film grossed $25 million at the box office.
Critics were divided on the movie; on the one hand, the performances were celebrated, especially that of Paul Rudd. However, the film’s script was largely disparaged for uneven pacing that hindered the potential of its premise. Despite the criticisms, the overall charm of the movie and its cast won many audiences over.
Our Idiot Brother came in a string of Paul Rudd comedies representing a type of film that is rare to find. He continued his work in mostly mid-range budget films like This is 40 and They Came Together until 2015, when he became a superhero.
Today, Paul Rudd is most well-known as Ant-Man in the MCU, but he still finds time to star in lower budget films.
Paul Rudd became a massive name thanks to his Marvel role as Ant-Man and has remained an MCU staple ever since. He still finds time for smaller movies and TV appearances. Still, the Paul Rudd of the past eight years has largely been characterized by blockbusters like Avengers: Endgame, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem.
Few actors have reached the heights of Paul Rudd without causing controversy or scandal, but Rudd remains a thoroughly likable and charming Hollywood A-lister. He has had misses in his career, but even his worst films are watchable with him at the forefront.
Our Idiot Brother is a Paul Rudd essential, and this unique and uplifting film is streaming now on Peacock.
