People Like Us Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A shady businessman finds out his dead dad had a secret family, so he stalks them instead of giving them money, leading to a whole lot of awkward sibling flirtation.

🍿 People Like Us: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Sam’s Troubled Life and His Father’s Death

Sam, a slick but struggling salesman in New York, faces mounting legal and financial troubles when a deal goes sour. His life takes another turn when he learns of his estranged father’s death in Los Angeles. Despite their strained relationship, Sam’s girlfriend, Hannah, convinces him to attend the funeral.

The Inheritance and a Shocking Revelation

At the lawyer’s office, Sam learns his father has left him a peculiar task: deliver $150,000 in cash to a young boy named Josh. He soon discovers that Josh is the son of Frankie, a single mother and recovering alcoholic. More shockingly, Frankie is Sam’s half-sister, a fact previously unknown to him.

Deception and Growing Bonds

Torn between keeping the money to solve his own problems and fulfilling his father’s wish, Sam decides to approach Frankie and Josh without revealing his true identity. He becomes involved in their lives, forming a bond with Josh and developing feelings for Frankie, all while concealing the truth about their connection.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Sam (Chris Pine): A troubled salesman who discovers he has a half-sister and is tasked with delivering her inheritance, forcing him to confront his family issues.
• Frankie (Elizabeth Banks): A struggling single mother and recovering alcoholic who discovers she has a half-brother and receives a life-changing inheritance.
• Lillian (Michelle Pfeiffer): Sam’s mother, grappling with the recent loss of her husband and the revelation of his secret family.
• Josh (Michael Hall D’Addario): Frankie’s troubled son who forms a connection with his newfound uncle, Sam.
• Hannah (Olivia Wilde): Sam’s girlfriend who supports him through his family crisis, while questioning their relationship.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Sam: “I’m the king of mistakes.” – Sam says this line to acknowledge his flaws and history of poor decisions as he tries to change his life.
• Sam: “If you like something because you think other people are gonna like it, it’s a sure bet no one will.” – These are Sam’s father’s rules about living life, which he shares with Josh.
• Sam: “Most doors in the world are closed, so if you find one that you want to get into, you damn well better have an interesting knock.” – These are Sam’s father’s rules about living life, which he shares with Josh.
• Sam: “Everything that you think is important, isn’t. And everything that you think is unimportant is.” – These are Sam’s father’s rules about living life, which he shares with Josh.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $16,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $12,434,778
• Worldwide Gross: $12,558,931

💥 People Like Us Reviews

Personal Review

I found *People Like Us* to be surprisingly moving. The scene where Sam finally tells Frankie the truth was incredibly well-acted, and I genuinely felt the weight of their complicated family history. It wasn’t perfect, but the performances really elevated the material for me. Overall the movie really made me think about my family and how we relate to each other.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of family dramas”
  • “Viewers interested in stories about reconciliation and redemption”
  • “Those who enjoy films with strong character development”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mature themes related to family dysfunction”
  • “Alcoholism and recovery”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Brief drug references”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “Though well-acted, *People Like Us* is predictable, leaning too heavily on sentimentality and contrived situations for a truly meaningful connection with its audience. It is a movie that might pull at the heart strings but does so with a heavy hand.
• Metacritic: “The film benefits from strong performances, particularly from Elizabeth Banks, who brings depth to her role. However, the narrative often feels contrived, relying on emotional clichés that undermine its potential for genuine emotional resonance. Predictable and heavy-handed.
• IMDB: “A poignant story about estranged family members reconnecting. Chris Pine and Elizabeth Banks deliver heartfelt performances. It touches on themes of forgiveness and second chances, making it a worthwhile watch if you appreciate character-driven dramas and shows the value in a new perspective.

Audience Reactions

Viewers were especially touched by the chemistry between Chris Pine and Elizabeth Banks.: Many praised the film for its realistic portrayal of family dysfunction and the healing power of forgiveness.

Overall Consensus: A decent drama with strong performances, but somewhat predictable and emotionally manipulative.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The story was inspired by true events in director Alex Kurtzman’s life when he met his own half-sister for the first time as he turned thirty.”
• “Michelle Pfeiffer agreed to alter her glamorous image to play Lillian, aiming for a naturalistic look of a grieving widow who hasn’t worn makeup in a year.”
• “Alex Kurtzman, known for writing action films like ‘Star Trek,’ made his directorial debut with this more personal and character-driven story.”

🖥️ How to Watch People Like Us?

People Like Us is available for streaming on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. You can also rent or purchase the movie on these services. Check your local listings for availability on cable on-demand services. For physical copies, look to Amazon or other retailers.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed People Like Us, you might like these similar films:

• August: Osage County (2013): Features a dysfunctional family coming together after a death, revealing long-held secrets and resentments.
• Manchester by the Sea (2016): Deals with themes of grief, family, and the challenges of connecting with loved ones after tragedy.
• Beginners (2010): Explores family secrets and unexpected relationships, focusing on personal growth and acceptance.
• Dan in Real Life (2007): A dramedy about an advice columnist who falls for his brother’s girlfriend, highlighting complicated family dynamics and unexpected love.

🛒 People Like Us Related Products

• People Like Us [Blu-ray]: Own the movie in high definition! Includes bonus features like behind-the-scenes footage and deleted scenes.
• Chris Pine Autographed Photo: A rare autographed 8×10 photo of Chris Pine. A unique and valuable addition to any fan’s collection.
• Inspirational Quotes: Overcoming Challenges: Collection of motivational quotes about overcoming challenges. Features quotes about family, growth, and overcoming obstacles inspired by People Like Us.

🎧 Soundtrack

People Like Us features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Funk #49” – performed by James Gang
• “Home” – performed by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

People Like Us S01E04 – Past Times | Gay Singapore Series

Ever wondered if there’s more to ‘People Like Us’? Check out this episode from a web series with the same name! It dives into similar themes of identity and relationships, and honestly, I found it pretty thought-provoking, it’s cool to see how they interpret similar themes in a different context.

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