'Our Idiot Brother'

'Our Idiot Brother' (R) (3 STARS)

Writers: Evgenia Peretz and David Schisgall
Director: Jesse Peretz
Starring: Paul Rudd, Elizabeth Banks, Zooey Deschanel, Emily Mortimer, Steve Coogan, Hugh Dancy, TJ Miller, Kathryn Hahn, Rashida Jones, Shirley Knight

I wish there were more people in the World like Ned, the lead character in "Our Idiot Brother" who is played by Paul Rudd. Ned is such a kind person and is so good to others. He means well but he is not too smart and sometimes he blindly tries to help others and winds up messing things up. I really think Ned is smarter than the others think he is but he is just a little naive. Ned has three sisters that don't quite understand him but I think Ned is one of my favorite characters in a movie in quite awhile.

Paul Rudd is Ned and he is the perfect choice because I really like Paul Rudd and so do a lot of movie goers. He is a very funny actor who is probably one of the best straight men in the business. He is always likable, charming, funny and one of those guys you just want to be friends with. I expected a comedy with a lot of dumb laughs but I did not expect a charming, touching and smart comedy. This is a wonderful screenplay that doesn't hammer us over the head with obvious jokes.

Ned has three sisters and I love how the story gives each one a distinct personality. The sisters are also played by three very wonderful actresses who are great here. There is magazine reporter Miranda, played by an unrecognizable Elizabeth Banks. There is bisexual sister Natalie played by the wonderful Zooey Deschanel. The last sister, Liz, is the most responsible one with a family and all. Ned stays with all three sisters at one point and interferes with his sister's lives. He doesn't mean to interfere but when he tries to help them he goes too far.

"Our Idiot Brother" has a lot of big laughs and they come from the dialogue and the characters and not cheap jokes. I actually started to care about Ned and his sisters. They all have their flaws but I liked everyone. This movie is also very charming and smart and I thought it would be mean spirited. This movie has a killer cast and Banks, Mortimer and Deschanel are three of my favorite actresses and they are all great here. I didn't recognize Banks and I was impressed by her in this movie, she is a really great actress. There are also some great supporting turns by TJ Miller and Kathryn Hahn.

The movie mostly rests on the shoulders of Paul Rudd and I think he is one of our best comedy actors. He is so easy to listen to, he always makes you comfortable and you always cheer for him. The solid screenplay and the top notch acting make "Our Idiot Brother" a surprise winner. I don't usually like cliches but this is a feel good comedy that brought a big smile to my face.