The Estate

What is wrong with people these days?? No, but seriously... what do you expect in a movie?! If a movie like this which is good, hilarious, well-made, well-written, well-acted, etc gets such low reviews what does that say about today's audience? All the Marvel and Disney movies must have really messed with your head because you clearly have lost all sense of judgement. This movie is a total gem! The situations are ridiculous, the actors are hilarious, the writing is great... I mean what more could you ask for? I love Anna Farris and Toni Collette but the real MVP here was Rosemarie DeWitt. She absolutely stole the show.

Please don't listen to the negative reviews. These people need professional medical help. Enjoy!

It's the terrible cliched and obnoxious screenplay with flaccid directing by filmmaker Dean Craig that flops this film. The comedy was somewhere between eye-rolls and cringe, and all the humor felt fake and forced. Even all the cast performances were wooden and stale, except for David Duchovny, who from his first hilarious scene him saying "wazaaap", was the only real and convincing entertainment in this film. Everyone else, including the story, felt like I was watching failed and unrehearsed SNL sketches. Even the legendary Kathleen Turner had only a few moments where she wasn't annoying. It's a very generous 5/10 from me, only because Duchovny shined in this comedy and was the only one that delivered the laughs. He needs to be in more comedies, he's a natural.

After reading the reviews, I still decided to check it out. As a huge fan of so many in the cast, I was extremely disappointed. "How could so many of these actors I admire, make a poor choice on a script so let's give it chance." The possibilities for a good film were there - incredible cast (Among them Toni Collette and Kathleen Turner being favourites of mine), and a fun script premise. But nothing worked for me. I found the script very crass versus funny. The characters felt one dimensional and that became annoying. I wish they could have a do over - same cast (well, mostly), same premise, different script.

I went into this with not much hope. Though some of the scenes are predictable, I give the script and actors credit for going all out in some of the outrageous parts. The movie isn't a record breaker but it was a damn funny change of pace. Everyone plays their part to perfection. Reminds me of Eulogy (2004) or Home For The Holidays (1995) or even Greedy (1994). Definitely should be in the high sixes on IMDb.

I give particular praise to the dialogue, Duchovny has some great lines as does Faris & Toni Collete. Should also point out it has similar vibes to Little Miss Sunshine. If you enjoy the interactions of characters, you'll enjoy this.

Aunt Hilda is dying, and her greedy relatives all arrive, and attempt to get her to favour them in her will, leaving them her estate.

For such a bitter and twisted scenario, it's a little too light, it doesn't quite hit the spot, there are a couple of amusing moments, a few dark laughs, but it doesn't quite work.

I don't think it's as bad as some of the reviews would suggest, but given the basic plot and the list of names, I really did hope for more.

There's definitely some pedigree here, Toni Collette, David Duchovny and Anna Faris are all pretty good, I thought Kathleen Turner was perhaps the standout as grumpy Aunt Hilda.

Richard, only David Duchovny could make a moustache and a Kappa tracksuit look super cool.

It should have been ten times better.

5/10.