Little Brother

Surprisingly entertaining. This comedy gave me a few laughs, you can really switch off to some classic plot devices and the hilarious consequences. Casting, production and soundtrack all work together to sell the straight man/comedy payoffs. While there are better examples of this setup (see elf), it's really worth a look for any fans of the genre.

Little Brother is a simple, fairly predictable family comedy, but it has enough charm to be watchable without too many problems. It is not a great film, nor does it try to be, but it has funny moments, a lead pairing that works better than expected and that friendly streaming-movie tone designed for a light, easy **** story revolves around Rudd, a successful real estate agent who is organized, controlled and obsessed with keeping his life perfect, until everything is thrown into chaos when Marcus, his chaotic “little brother,” suddenly reappears. From there, the film plays with a very classic contrast: the rigid man versus the walking disaster, the successful adult versus the misfit, the planned life versus the emotional bond that arrives to break everything **** best thing, clearly, is John Cena. For some time now, it has been obvious that he has more talent for comedy than many might have expected when he was mainly associated with wrestling and action films. Here he works very well again in this kind of role: a huge, strong, seemingly unshakable man who becomes increasingly overwhelmed by a situation he cannot control. His physique helps the gag, but what really works is his willingness to look ridiculous without seeming uncomfortable. Cena knows how to stay serious inside something silly, and that matters a lot in comedy.Eric André brings the chaos. His character can be a little exhausting at times, because the film depends heavily on his uncontrolled energy, but he also has some genuinely funny scenes. The relationship between the two keeps the film going: not because it is especially original, but because there is a recognizable dynamic of irritation, dependence, tenderness and embarrassment that eventually works. When the film focuses on the two of them, it is usually at its **** problem is that Little Brother almost always follows very familiar paths. The script does not surprise much: initial clash, disaster, misunderstandings, small emotional lessons and a more or less expected reconciliation. Everything is built efficiently, but with little real personality. You can see most things coming, and some conflicts are resolved too **** all the jokes work either. There are funny moments, yes, but also others where you can feel the effort to be irreverent or outrageous. The film wants to mix absurd humor, physical comedy and a bit of family emotion, and while the balance is not bad, it is not really brilliant either. It makes you smile more often than it makes you laugh out loud.Still, it has its charm. It is one of those films you can watch without expecting too much and end up accepting because of its likeable energy. It has decent pace, it does not feel especially heavy, and John Cena manages to lift several scenes that would probably have felt much weaker with another actor. It is not a memorable comedy, but it is not a waste of time either.Little Brother works best when it does not try to seem more important than it is: a friendly, slightly outrageous, family-flavored comedy carried by two leads with good energy. It lacks originality and relies too much on formula, but it has funny moments and confirms that John Cena, in this kind of increasingly desperate role, really can be funny.