← Back to results
People Like Us
2012 114 min United States of America PG-13 12+
★6.6
Drama
Director: Alex Kurtzman
Trailers
Description
After flying home to L.A. for the funeral of his estranged record-producer father, a struggling man discovers that the will stipulates that he must deliver $150,000 in cash to a 30-year-old alcoholic sister he never knew existed, and her troubled 12-year-old son.
Budget:
$16M
US Gross:
$12.43M
Worldwide:
$12.43M
Starring
Chris Pine
Actor
Elizabeth Banks
Actor
Michelle Pfeiffer
Actor
Key opinion
People Like Us is a polarizing family drama that divides audiences and critics between those who find it a sincere, emotionally resonant character study and those who view it as a formulaic, uninspired melodrama. While the performances of the lead ensemble—particularly Chris Pine and Elizabeth Banks—receive frequent praise for their chemistry, the film's reliance on predictable genre tropes remains a major point of contention.
| Acting | The chemistry and performances of Chris Pine and Elizabeth Banks provide the film's emotional anchor and strongest appeal. | |
| Acting | Michelle Pfeiffer delivers a compelling, nuanced performance as the family matriarch that grounds the emotional stakes. | |
| Production | The film employs a polished, atmospheric aesthetic through its cinematography and soundtrack, creating a cohesive sense of mood. | |
| Originality | Critics are split on the originality of the script: some see a touching, realistic exploration of forgiveness, while others dismiss it as a recycled, formulaic Hollywood melodrama. | |
| Pacing | Opinions on the pacing are divided: some find the contemplative tempo allows for genuine character connection, while others experience the narrative as dull and lacking momentum until the final act. | |
| Direction | Viewers disagree on whether the directorial approach feels like a fresh, authentic drama or a scattered and uninspired debut. |