Zach Braff, Amanda Peet, Charles Grodin, Jason Bateman. Written by David Guion, Michael Handelman. Directed by Jesse Peretz.

FILM SYNOPSIS: Tom Reilly (Zach Braff) is a bit of an underachiever when it comes to his career (or lack thereof), but his adoring wife, Sofia (Amanda Peet), a formidable lawyer, has always been happy to act as the breadwinner. With the birth of their first child, Sofia decides she wants to be a stay-at-home mom so Tom needs to step up and take care of his growing family. Unfortunately he gets fired from his job in New York City and is forced to start working with his father-in-law (Charles Grodin) in Sofia’s hometown of Ohio. Tom soon clashes with his work colleagues, especially the outrageous Chip (Jason Bateman), who still carries a torch for Sofia from their high school days, and Sofia becomes increasingly uncomfortable staying home with their new baby.

PREVIEW REVIEW: Loaded with a lot of family strife ala Everybody Loves Raymond (indeed, Mr. Braff looks and acts like a younger version of Ray Ramono) the film grates on the nerves. There’s nothing worst than having someone covertly alter your life by saying and doing things to make you look foolish, corrupt or inept. The lead goes through this from opening to nearly the end, with the last few minutes turning around much like a TV situation comedy.

The film is just not smartly written. From all I could learn, this was the first film script for the writers and it looks like silly slapstick TV comedy. That said, many people in the screening room enjoyed the slapstick silliness. That would explain why King of Queens and Life According to Jim have lasted so long.

Distributor:
MGM

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