Amor por Contrato

This film is about a upper class family moving into a new neighbourhood. Their shiny lifestyle instantly becomes the envy of the town.

What appears to be a happy and generous family is all a farce. And yet, within this farce, every single family member is so likable. They come across as a harmonious and happy model family. Everything they do within the sight of others is so charming and infectiously enviable. Therefore, it is interesting to see the contrast when they are behind close doors. The film successfully makes this contrast entertaining and fun. It is also good at preparing for the ending, which gives the comedy a more serious side. "The Joneses" is a well executed comedy with a darker side. I enjoyed it a lot.

"The Joneses" asks, can you keep up with the Joneses (David Duchovny and Demi Moore)? And the answer is yes. The plot has enough original twists and turns to keep it interesting, but not so many that you can still notice the few levels of nuance and intelligence that they added.

A very original take on the "keeping up with the Joneses" idea - everybody wants what the Joneses have. It may sound like any other film where we watch rich people live their selfish lives, but they quickly turn that on its head. It's much more clever and interesting. The creative premise can seem a bit far-fetched but it was immediately brought back down to Earth with the realism of the characters. I was completely intrigued by these characters, and particularly impressed with the emotion that was shining from beneath Duchovny's handsome surface.

I had no idea what to expect from "The Joneses". And, well, that's exactly what I got - something that I never could have expected. And it was great. This film is original and intelligent, especially with some of their perceptions of society. It can be a bit cynical at times but that just adds some dark humour which all the best films have. I highly recommend "The Joneses", especially for people who like a little bit of thought and originality in films.

'The Joneses' comes across as an entertaining film that also makes the viewer aware of a thing or two regarding today's world. While many have found the idea to be a bit far-fetched, the film doesn't try to tackle more than it can handle. The way the Joneses neighbours are seduced by their lifestyle is pretty much the way most consumers feel. Nothing surprises me about the marketing strategies corporates come up with, no matter how 'amoral' it is as their primary goal is to sell more and more.

That said, I perhaps would have enjoyed 'The Joneses' more had I not seen the trailer. The trailer revealed too much of the plot and that ruins the surprise element which would have made it more interesting had the viewer experienced the unfolding of the story through the film.

Yet, it is a well made picture with well-defined characters. David Duchovny and the ravishing Demi Moore are in top form. Both deliver subtle and nuanced performances. Glenne Heady and Gary Cole provide superb support. The art direction is impressive. The Joneses house looks too good to be true but that's the point. Derrick Borte does a competent job of balancing humour and intensity. On the flip side, the ending felt a little rushed and the daughter's character was a little shoddily written.

Overall, 'The Joneses' is an entertainer that's also enlightening.

It's not often you can sit down for a couple of hours of genuine entertainment and come away feeling like you've just learned a thing or two about life. Such is the deft, skillful balance achieved in "The Joneses." I won't mention a single plot point, because the less you know about this film -- other than it being an excellent film-going experience -- the more enjoyment you'll have in the theater.

It's a tribute to David Duchovny and Demi Moore that they apply their considerable skills to breathe real life into what could otherwise have been caricatures in the hands of less-talented actors. The little facial expressions, the subtle glances, the telling pauses, the body language... everything that makes film a medium of intense impact is used to tremendous effect, all expertly guided by the emerging artistry of director Derrick Borte.

It's almost impossible to be unconsciously sucked-in by these characters on the screen, in virtually the same way their celluloid neighbors are likewise seduced by everything about them. Yet, there's an underlying discord, an uncomfortable, inescapable tension that pervades the truly captivating plot and persists through genuinely amusing humor, signaling your gut that something is not quite right. It is only with the full unfolding of the plot that we come to realize just how profoundly twisted things are -- all the more disturbing because this fictional set piece is a shockingly true-to-life reflection of the world all around us.

It is genuine enlightenment to witness the choices made when the characters are ultimately forced to resolve the true issues they confront.

I watched this movie on the note from a friend, who kept insisting that I just had to watch it, because it was such a cool movie. So I caved in and sat down to watch the movie, without having any clue what it was all about.

Now, I must say that I think it was a bold topic to make a movie about, but it actually worked out quite well. I am not much fan of movies that are raising debate about social issues, but this movie actually turned out to be interesting and alright.

The cast in the movie was phenomenal. David Duchovny, playing Steve Jones, and Demi Moore, playing Kate Jones, were really great opposite one another, and they had really good screen chemistry. Amber Heard, playing Jenn Jones, and Ben Hollingsworth in the role of Mich Jones, also put on good performances. But I think Gary Cole, in the role of Larry Symonds, was actually one of the better guys in the movie, he played his role quite well.

The story told in "The Joneses" about our consumerist society was somewhat interesting, and it manages to keep you riveted to the chair, wanting to see what happens next in the movie. But was it really one that was necessary being told? I found the movie to be adequate entertainment, but it didn't really raise any issues about consumerism after having seen it. Maybe because I just take a movie for what it is, a movie - a means of entertainment.

I noticed the movie was labeled as a comedy, which I would disagree with. Drama, yes, but comedy, no. At least not in the sense that it will make you laughing and rolling on the floor. Sure there were moments that were funny and somewhat outrageous, but as a comedy it just didn't do the trick for me.

"The Joneses", for me, is the type of movie that you watch it once, then bag it and tag it, never to see it again. To me, the story didn't have enough value for a second viewing.