Advanced Search Beta »
Basic Search Fields
The Joneses
User Score
6.7 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 28 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 28
  3. Negative: 3 out of 28

Review this movie

  1. Your Score
    10 out of 10
    Rate this:
    out of 10
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling

  3. Characters remaining: 5000 out of 5000

view
per page
  1. ChadS
    Apr 18, 2010
    6
    As the ongoing scandals at Goldman/Sachs and AIG continue to unravel with more shocking revelations about the unmitigated greed of those unconscionable go-getters, the last thing that the moviegoing public needs is a satire about capitalism without bite. And even worse, a satire that stops being satirical. Imagine a "Network"(the great Sidney Lumet film about the dumbing down of journalism), in which Howard Beale(Peter Finch) isn't gunned down because Diana Christensen(Faye Dunaway) suddenly had a change of heart? It's because the screenplay by Paddy Chayefsky followed through with its convictions that the 1976 film is considered to be a classic, instead of a near-miss. Like any great satirical movie, "Network", and even Peter Weir's "The Truman Show", went a little over-the-top to make its topical point resonate with the moviegoer. What "The Joneses" lack is a killer instinct. It's perfectly acceptable for Steve(David Duchovny) and Kate(Demi Moore) to have the obligatory vulnerable moment or two, but as push comes to shove, at the end of the day, their quest for the almighty dollar is supposed to win out. Due to our current economic landscape, where corporations take out life insurance policies on its workforce, in the aftermath of a neighborhood tragedy, "The Joneses" fails to acknowledge that death is a industry. The marketers should be unveiling their line of high-end coffins, but instead of going for the kill, the satire goes flaccid with Steve's mawkish "mea culpa". While Christof(Ed Harris) of "The Truman Show" deals with his disobedient reality TV star accordingly, KC(Lauren Hutton) disappoints the moviegoer by being feminine and nurturing when she should be at her most angriest.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  2. DarrenY
    Apr 18, 2010
    9
    So on the one hand, it had somewhat one-dimensional characters, and there's a point in the movie where I felt that the plot became predictable. But on the other hand, I thought that the satire in this movie was so sharp and biting that I'll be remembering the message of this movie for a long time. I really enjoyed the meta-commentary inherent in the concept of the movie. And I can see that Hollywood would be afraid of further characterization (I would have enjoyed perhaps another hour of exploring the different facets of the main characters) at the risk of turning away mainstream viewers more interested in a popcorn flick than a deep movie. Summary: If you enjoyed the Truman Show, and Thank You For Smoking, I bet you'll enjoy this (admittedly flawed) parable of modern consumerism.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. Diezmartinez
    Aug 22, 2010
    6
    La premisa de la opera prima del exdirector de comerciales Derrick Borte es interesante -una familia falsa se muda a unos suburbios pudientes de Estados Unidos para provocar la envidia consumista de los vecinos- pero su realización es timorata e inconsecuente. Lástima por el reparto, encabezado por Demi Moore y David Duchovny.
  4. LeoTs3181983
    Apr 16, 2011
    10
    If you liked Last Chance Harvey,you'll love The Joneses. It has that same dramdy touch that Last Chance Harvey does. It's one of Demi Moore's best movies. Don't miss it.
  5. Cheryl
    Oct 13, 2010
    7
    Unexpectedly good. Somewhat predictable, but interesting. Definitely a thought provoking look at our need to 'keep up with the joneses'. I agree with 'Darren Y' 'somewhat one-dimensional characters', but overall more than worth my $1.00 at Redbox.
  6. MorriBey
    Jun 6, 2011
    6
    David Duchovny is excellent in this movie. Its a good movie but I cant help feeling that the studios saw a movie that was too dark ( which it scratched towards the latter part of the movie ) and polished it off. The result has changed what could have been a dark movie into an enjoyable Sunday afternoon movie. The ending kills off any notion of it being alternative. I liked it, just felt that there was something else there which was unfortunately sidelined.… Expand
prev next
Page:
  • 1

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
55 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 30 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 17 out of 30
  3. Negative: 1 out of 30
  1. Boxoffice Magazine
    Reviewed by: Steve Ramos
    60
    Borte supports his jewel of a story idea with dead-on casting, stunning images and product placement that's intentionally heavy-handed.
    Read full review
  2. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Michael Rechtshaffen
    50
    What could have been a biting black comedy taking product placement to the logical extreme instead is so obviously predictable that even a savvy cast led by David Duchovny and Demi Moore can't sell it.
    Read full review
  3. Variety
    Reviewed by: John Anderson
    50
    If The Joneses were pure farce, which it isn't, Borte could have gotten away with a lot. Likewise, the picture might have succeeded if it were all a bit funnier and a little less mean-spirited about spending, debt and envy.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »