The Estate

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.

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.

: Oh my gosh, I cannot believe the people who gave this funny funny movie such a poor rating. Good acting and some really really funny scenes are the highlights of this one. I found myself laughing out loud on so many occasions. The premise is of course unethical but hardly untrue unfortunately. All of the characters nail their roles and are so funny. I honestly don't know what some people are expecting from such a movie to be honest. If you need a comedy break in your viewing schedule, i highly recommend seeing this film, you won't be disappointed.

To IMDb reviewers. Why have you rejected this review? It has nothing insulating to anyone in it!!!

Lots of really low ratings from reviewers on this one, so perhaps I was just in a mood, but I laughed quite a bit while viewing this film - the wife, not so much. Yes, some of the humor is a bit gross, but I didn't find it to be gratuitous gross like one might find in a Seth Rogen film. I thought it fit the scene. I also thought everyone played their character quite well.

I laughed throughout the film and found several scenes particularly amusing. Perhaps some of the humor is a bit too subtle for some while some might be too over-the-top for others, but it combined both well. I though Anna Faris's character was especially amusing, with Duchovney being a close second. Perhaps some of the vulgar language could have been toned down, but I thought it generally fit the character or the situation, and I'm no fan of gratuitous vulgarity.

I think it's worth giving this film a look.