We're The Millers is the story of David Clark (Jason Sudeikis) a low level pot dealer who gets all his stash and money stolen when he comes to the aid of an awkward kid in his apartment building, Kenny (Will Poulter) who in turn is attempting to come to the aid of Casey (Emma Roberts) a local teen runway who is being hassled by some thugs who are attempting to steal her phone. David gets roughed up by his drug lord boss, Brad Guerlinger (Ed Helms) who makes David an offer: smuggle 'a smidge of weed' over the border from Mexico and he'll forgive all of David's debts to him.
This throws David for a loop as one man travelling across the border is bound to raise suspicions, however, he hits upon an unlikely solution, recruiting Rose (Jennifer Aniston) a down on her luck stripper who needs cash in a hurry- together with Kenny and Casey they decide to rent an RV and pose as a typical suburban family just on family vacation. The newly formed Miller family makes it across the border with ease, shows up the address given to David by Guerlinger and discovers that the supposed 'smidge' of weed is, in fact about two tons of the stuff, which is stuffed into every possible crevice of the RV.
Going back across the border proves to be a dicier proposition as along the way they encounter the Fitzgeralds another RVing family with Don (Nick Offerman), Edie (Kathryn Hahn) and their daughter Melissa (Molly Quinn.) Despite a tense moment at the border, when questioned by the Border Patrol, it's discovered that several illegal immigrants have harbored themselves aboard the RV and when it looks like the Millers might be discovered, they flee and the Millers are waved through as the Border Patrol leaves in pursuit. Once across the border, they soon break down, discover that Don is, in fact, a DEA Agent and eventually have to confront the mysterious Pablo Chacon and Brad Guerlinger to see if they can all find a way out of their predicament together.
Standard disclaimer: no, I'm not going to spoil the ending! There's a lot about this movie that seems pretty typical for the 'family vacation/crazy road trip' type of movies that are out there but you have to admire We're The Millers for putting such an original spin on this. Sudeikis is in fine form as the drug dealer with what turns out to be a heart of gold and has believable, excellent chemistry with Jennifer Aniston, who, I'll admit, is pretty good as a stripper. (Though she's a nicely atypical stripper, in many ways- there's a maturity to her routines that make her stand out from the crowd and compared to the typical strippers you see in movies she's got a natural, nicely toned body.) Will Poulter (Kenny) and Casey (Emma Roberts) both turn in fine performances though the real gems of this movie are, of course Nick Offerman and Kathryn Hahn.
Overall: A laugh out loud funny movie that puts a new and interesting spin on the idea of the family road trip, We're The Millers could have easily been unbearable- instead it's funny and ultimately wears it's heart on it's sleeve and plays with the very interesting notion that sometimes, if you don't have a family to call your own, you can just make one. If you go see this movie, make sure you stay for the credits! **** out of ****.
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