La famille Jones

The Jones family moves into an upscale community and everything seems perfect, but this family has an agenda.

And, they say there is nothing new under the sun. HA ! Just wait until you see this story. It's more than just keeping up with the Joneses. Much more. A new twist has been added. Maybe it was just a matter of time before we saw something like this, but the wait is over. It's here now.

When I first watched the first few minutes in the beginning, I was wary. Hey, I remember The STING and I said, "Con." But, I was wrong. It's not that. Not exactly.

The acting performances by Duchovny and Moore are seamless. Their performances are so understated and honest that you buy into and enjoy everything. Nothing is overdone. The dialogues by all the cast are also seamless and honest. No really uncomfortable moments. You know something is wrong with this family, but what? Oh, you do find out early on and when you know, then you need to see how it ends. But, after that, everything ran smoothly and I kept asking myself, "what could go wrong? what could go wrong?" And, of course, something does.

Violence: No. Sex: Not really, you just hear the sounds Nudity: Yes, briefly in the beginning. Sexual content: Yes. Teenage drinking: Yes. Language: Yes.

'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.

Could this really happen? Maybe not, but the consequences of today's, "The one who dies with the most toys wins!" attitude are shown to great effect in this film. Previous reviewers have said the acting wasn't up to much but I disagree and was glued to the screen all the way through. I'm amazed that The Joneses wasn't marketed more, I never saw any press about it and as a regular cinema goer definitely would have paid my eight quid. Maybe no explosions, mentions of terrorism or national security doomed it to DVD release in the UK. Not a comedy, not a thriller but something between which was sometimes dark and at others hilarious. I felt myself connecting with the main characters which, as a Brit, I don't often do in American films. Overall a good film (hence 7 out of 10) and worth ninety five minutes of your time.

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.

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.