The inspirational film People Like Us has been released in a Blu-ray Combo pack with some very nice bonus features. It’s a good film with an emotional story that’s well acted and directed. A chick flick of sorts, the movie should have a high appeal from the 25 and older target market.
Inspired by a true story the movie finds down on his luck Sam Harper (Chris Pine) along with his fiancée Hanna (Olivia Wilde) reluctantly going back to the home where he grew up on the day after his father’s funeral. Asked to meet with the family lawyer Ike (Philip Baker Hall), Sam gets handed a case containing $150,000. The money isn’t meant for him, however, he’ instructed to bring it to a sister Frankie Davis (Elizabeth Banks) he never knew existed. Thus begins a complex tale of love, understanding, integrity, challenge and courage of convictions that’s moving and heartfelt.
With Hanna confused by Sam’s urgency to stay in his hometown, a mother heartbroken that her only son has been absent for so long, a new found sister that’s perplexed as to why she feels drawn to a stranger (Sam) and Sam slowing digging a hole in his heart that may never be repaired, the story takes on a complex yet sympathetic tone that resonates throughout. I like this kind of complicated story where you are the onlooker who knows what the real circumstances are and hoping for the best possible ending.
The story may be somewhat predictable, but the characters make the discovery enjoyable entertaining. Believable performances by both Pine and Banks make the story credible enough, touching and inspirational. While Pine’s Sam rambles about trying to make sense of the situation, Banks’s Frankie has to deal with a young son (Michael D Addario) who causes difficulty at every turn due to an absentee father. The three worlds collide causing an uncertain future in the eyes of the audience. It’s a very good script played out under the pin point direction of Alex Kurtzman who makes his entry into film on the big screen an admirable success.
You’ll gain even more from the special bonus features included in the Blu-ray combo pack that includes both the Blu-ray and DVD.
BONUS FEATURES:
Blu-ray Combo Pack:
- Audio Commentary with Writer/Director Alex Kurtzman and Actors Chris Pine and Elizabeth Banks
- Audio Commentary with Writer/Director Alex Kurtzman and Actress Michelle Pfeiffer
- Audio Commentary with Writer/Director Alex Kurtzman and Writers Roberto Orci and Jody Lambert
- Number One with a Bullet: The Story Behind “People Like Us”
- Taco Talk: Extended Henry’s Taco Scene
- Deleted Scenes
- Bloopers
DVD:
- Audio Commentary with Writer/Director Alex Kurtzman and Actors Chris Pine and Elizabeth Banks
- Audio Commentary with Writer/Director Alex Kurtzman and Actress Michelle Pfeiffer
Digital
- Number One with a Bullet: The Story Behind “People Like Us”
- Taco Talk: Extended Henry’s Taco Scene
- Deleted Scenes
- Bloopers
FINAL ANALYSIS: Ladies, invite some of your friends for a night-in and have some tissues handy. [rating=4]
Specifications and additional film information:
- Cast: Chris Pine, Elizabeth Banks, Michael D Addario, Olivia Wilde, Philip Baker Hall Mark Duplass and Michelle Pfeiffer
- Directed by: Alex Kurtzman
- MPAA Rating: PG-13 for language, some drug use and brief sexuality
- Genre: Drama, Inspirational
- Running Time: 1 hr 53 min
- Street Date: October 2, 2012
- Original Film Release Date: June 29, 2012
- Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
- Language: English
- Format: Blu-ray (Combo Pack)
- Audio: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 Dolby Digital
- Video: 1080p High Definition Widescreen (DVD Enhanced for 16×9 TV’s)
- Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish, French
- Number of Discs: 2
- Distributed by: Walt Disney Home Entertainment
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
