Blu-ray Review: Crowd-Pleasing ‘People Like Us’ Deserved Better Fate

CHICAGO – The companies behind Alex Kurtzman’s “People Like Us” had no idea what to do with their crowd-pleasing melodrama, arguably releasing it at the worst possible time of the year for a tiny movie to not get swept away by bigger blockbusters. The result was a dud in theaters but should get strong word-of-mouth on the home market, helped amply by a stellar Blu-ray/DVD release.

Rating: 3.5/5.0

“People Like Us” is an old-fashioned crowd pleaser. It’s the kind of melodramatic adult movie that just gets buried in the summer season but could have found a decent audience in the Spring or Fall and will almost certainly get solid word-of-mouth on the home market. It features the best work of Chris Pine’s career along with a solid turn from Michelle Pfeiffer, an actress who never gets enough attention. Is it cheesy? Sure. But if you’re looking for a good cry on a Saturday night instead of just another action flick, you should take a look.

Read our full-length review and check out our interview with Chris Pine & Alex Kurtzman.

People Like Us was released on Blu-ray and DVD on October 2, 2012
Photo credit: Disney/Dreamworks

Synopsis:
From DreamWorks Pictures, the studio that brought you The Help, comes the smart and witty drama People Like Us, featuring an all-star cast, including Chris Pine (Star Trek), Elizabeth Banks (The Hunger Games), Olivia Wilde and the award-winning Michelle Pfeiffer. Sam (Pine) is a twenty-something, fast-talking salesman whose latest deal collapses the day he learns his father has suddenly died. Against his wishes, Sam is called home to put his father’s estate in order and reconnect with his estranged family. While there, he uncovers a startling secret that turns his entire world upside-down - he has a 30-year-old sister he never knew existed. Inspired by true events People Like Us is a heartwarming and touching movie everybody can relate to.

Click here to buy “People Like Us”

Special Features:
o Number One With A Bullet: The Story Behind People Like Us - Inspired by True Events, Filmmakers Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci, Best Known For Making Big-Budget Sci-Fi Action Movies, Go Back To Their Roots and Make a Small Film From the Heart
o Taco Talk: Chris and Elizabeth Do Extended Improvisational Takes, While Chris Fulfills a Fantasy of Shooting as His Childhood Favorite Local Taco Stand, The Legendary Henry’s Tacos
o Deleted Scenes
o Bloopers
o Audio Commentary With Direct Alex Kurtzman and Writer Jody Lambert
o Select Scene Commentary With Director Alex Kurtzman and Actor Michelle Pfeiffer

By BRIAN TALLERICO Content Director HollywoodChicago.com brian@hollywoodchicago.com