This movie has only one, long, running joke; and really, that’s all it needs.

Brennan Huff (Ferrell) and Dale Doback (Reilly) struggle to adjust to their new step-brother status when Brennan’s mother (Mary Steenburgen) marries Dale’s father (Richard Jenkins).  Seems simple enough, except for that fact that these new step brothers are easily agitated, 40-year old, gainfully unemployed, live-at-home shlubbs with absolutely no shame.  It’s a premise that would not…that could not be possible with anyone but Will Ferrell at the helm, and his new-found sidekick, John C. Reilly along for the ride.

The first act is hilarious.  We meet Dale and Brennan individually (before the families join) as they interact with their respective parents.  These scenes are wrought with all the blitheness associated with teenage angst; chores, ironic t-shirts, disregard for authority, etc.  We’ve seen it a thousand times at the movies, but rarely like this.

As we observe these misfits, it’s quite apparent that they’re essentially carbon copies of each other which leads to an especially funny first meeting.  Imagine meeting yourself.  How would you react?  Deep inside us all is an automatic resentment mechanism that is activated as soon as any dramatic change occurs in our lives.  Maturity is learning to control that mechanism, and accepting change as inevitable.  Such a concept is utterly alien to Dale and Brennan giving birth to the most intense, childish, irrational rivalry in recent memory.

The film’s mid-section looses a little steam; though it’s never boring.  The step brothers eventually discover their uncanny similarities and instantly become best friends, but their alliance proves to be more of a strain on the newlyweds than the rivalry.  An intensely amusing sleepwalking episode particularly challenges the delicate marriage.

Here is where things stray from the funny into the strange category.  A weird little relationship brews between Dale’s father and Brennen’s intolerable older brother, Derek (Adam Scott).  It’s almost sexual in nature and obstructs the flow of the film.  Other distractions exist, as is to be expected with this type of picture; however, there is not so much filler as to render it completely ineffectual.  It is definitely not a film to get excited about, but Ferrell’s impeccable timing and the few well-executed gags are enough to keep you entertained for the duration.

Cast & Credits
Directed by….Adam McKay
Written by….Will Ferrell and Adam McKay
Brennan Huff….Will Ferrell
Dale Doback….John C. Reilly
Nancy Huff….Mary Steenburgen
Robert Doback….Richard Jenkins
Derek….Adam Scott