CINEPLEXPLOITATION / Jose Martinez

THE BALLAD OF WILLY REILLY

You’d think a Will Ferrell-John C. Reilly joint would be comedy gold every time, but the connection is not so strong with Step Brothers.

After Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, the idea of Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly co-starring in a comedy sounds like a fine idea. Not only was that film hilarious, but so—despite dismal box-office showings—were Ferrell’s Blades of Glory and Semi-Pro, and Reilly’s Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story. And the premise: two immature, middle-aged losers who each live with their single parents—and are forced to share a room when Ferrell’s mom and Reilly’s dad tie the knot—couldn’t be better for a couple of goofball actors who are making names for themselves playing just such clods. Sure, Step Brothers should be a no-brainer… but maybe it’s the lack of brains that holds the movie back.

Step Brothers is funny, but shockingly light on laugh-out-loud guffaws like [SPOILER ALERT] the balls-on-the-drums scene. There’s simply no Odd Couple dynamic at play here, no give-and-take; Ferrell and Reilly seem to be playing the same character. Director Adam McKay (Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby) often goes for the easy laugh and while we all know gross-out humor works, and sometimes with a good story (see There’s Something About Mary or Old School), it makes for a timeless comedy. Sadly, Step Brothers isn’t so much timeless as time-consuming (think cable or airplane movie).

The only reason you won’t hate the film is because Ferrell and Reilly are so likable, and they clearly had a blast making Step Brothers—some of which rubs off on the audience. But viewer beware: for the film to work on this level, you’ll have to lower your expectations and watch it through beer goggles; look too closely and you’ll see only lost potential.

Rated R for sex and language. Running time: 95 minutes.

Jose Martinez is a Los Angeles-based journalist with more than a dozen years experience covering news, film, music and sports. Out and about every night, he's at home in dark clubs and theaters, and shuns the daylight when possible.