Chris Pine plays a slightly shady workaholic who begins the movie making a big sale only to discover an earlier deal could land him in trouble with the government. Suddenly everything changes when he gets a call: his father has died. A quick trip home to L.A. reveals a troubled father-son relationship and an equally troubled mother-son relationship. Early in his visit, a quiet
Michelle Pfeiffer hauls off and slaps him. Beautiful Olivia Wilde plays an exasperated girlfriend who returns to the apartment alone while Pine stays in L.A. and discovers the mystery of a second family and a half sister played by Elizabeth Banks. People Like Us presents itself as one of the more interesting stories of the summer but delivers soap opera material intent on striking sentimental notes rather than real ones. The result feels like a third rate knock off of “Jerry Maguire.” Does it deliver what it promises? By the numbers soap opera. Is it entertaining? Lazy writing. Is it worth the price of admission? Skip it.
