Movie with Abe: People Like Us (Capsule Review)

People Like Us
Directed by Alex Kurtzman
Released June 29, 2012

“People Like Us” is a great title for a human drama. This particular film follows one particularly motivated, self-interested son, Sam (Chris Pine), whose father’s death leads him to the sister he never knew he had, Frankie (Elizabeth Banks). It follows a traditional and familiar course of events, yet this exploration of a new family dynamic is actually quite moving due to thoughtfully-written characters and exceptional performances from both Pine and Banks. The “Star Trek” star delivers a blisteringly honest portrayal of a man driven to succeed by his loneliness, and Banks, who has proven herself immensely capable of comedy in “30 Rock” and films like “Our Idiot Brother” and “Zack and Miri Make a Porno,” gives a fine dramatic performance reminiscent of her part in the little-seen 2005 film “Heights.” Child actor Michael Hall D’Addario shows immense potential as Frankie’s troublesome son as well. This film may not be extraordinary, but it’s certainly very capable and compelling.

B+