We're the Millers

Last updated

We're the Millers
We're the Millers poster.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Rawson Marshall Thurber
Screenplay by
Story by
  • Bob Fisher
  • Steve Faber
Produced by
Starring
Cinematography Barry Peterson
Edited byMike Sale
Music by
Production
companies
Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures
Release dates
Running time
110 minutes [1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$37 million [2]
Box office$270 million [3]

We're the Millers is a 2013 American comedy film directed by Rawson M. Thurber and starring Jennifer Aniston, Jason Sudeikis, Emma Roberts, Will Poulter, Nick Offerman, Kathryn Hahn, Molly Quinn, and Ed Helms. The film's screenplay was written by Bob Fisher, Steve Faber, Sean Anders, and John Morris, based on a story by Fisher and Faber. The plot follows a small-time pot dealer (Sudeikis) who convinces his neighbors to help him by pretending to be his family in order to smuggle drugs from Mexico into the United States.

Contents

The film was released on August 7, 2013, by New Line Cinema through Warner Bros. Pictures. Despite mixed reviews, it was a box office success, grossing $270 million worldwide against a $37 million budget during its theatrical run. It was nominated for four People's Choice Awards, and six MTV Movie Awards, winning two.

Plot

In Denver, low-level marijuana dealer David Clark is robbed of his money and stash, some of which he owes to his drug supplier and college acquaintance Brad Gurdlinger. Gurdlinger forces him to smuggle marijuana from Mexico to clear his debt. Realizing that one man attempting to get through customs would be suspicious, David hires his neighbors—a stripper stage-named Rose; local runaway Casey; and naïve, recently abandoned teenager Kenny—to pose as his wife, daughter, and son respectively, dubbing themselves the "Millers".

When the Millers reach the compound, they learn that the amount of marijuana they are picking up is not "a smidge" as Gurdlinger described it, but actually two tons. The Millers are stopped several times on their way back to the border, but get by on bribery and sheer luck. Because of the extra load from the marijuana on the RV, one of the radiator hoses breaks. The Fitzgeralds (consisting of father Don, mother Edie, and daughter Melissa), a family that was actually vacationing in an RV whom the Millers had encountered at the border, catches up to them and tows their RV to a repair shop. On the way to the shop, they learn that Don is a DEA agent, setting them on alert. Kenny develops a crush on Melissa. After Kenny reveals that he has never kissed a girl, Casey and Rose give him kissing lessons; Melissa sees them and assumes they are in an incestual relationship.

It turns out that Gurdlinger misled David, and that his plan is to steal the marijuana from cartel boss Pablo Chacon. The next day, when the Millers head to the shop to pick up the RV, Chacon and his henchman, One-Eye, wait for them and prepare to kill them. The Millers tell Chacon that they are not a real family and that they did not know they were stealing from him. Rose is given a chance to prove that she is a stripper by dancing, and when she gets close to Chacon, she turns a steam vent onto him. The Millers then escape in the RV, with Kenny behind the wheel. Due to Kenny's erratic driving, the RV veers off the highway and crashes. In the commotion, a tarantula that snuck aboard the RV in Mexico crawls up Kenny's leg and bites his testicles.

After Kenny has a severe allergic reaction to the bite, the Millers head to the hospital. This setback further delays the delivery of the drugs, but David renegotiates with Gurdlinger for a fee of $500,000 on the condition that he arrives that night. When Kenny is finally released from the hospital, David rushes him to the RV in a wheelchair and accidentally tips him over. In the ensuing argument, David inadvertently reveals how much he is getting paid, in comparison to how little he offered to pay each of the others. Disgusted by the revelation, Rose, Casey, and Kenny part company with David. David drives away, leaving them at the local carnival.

David regrets abandoning his companions and returns to the carnival. After David apologizes to Rose, Casey, and Kenny for having been less than honest with them, the three agree to rejoin him as he drives the rest of the way home. As the Millers make their way to the RV, One-Eye discovers them and is about to shoot them when Don comes out of his camper and subdues him. Chacon then comes around the corner with Melissa held at gunpoint and is about to kill them all; however, he is momentarily distracted by the 4th of July fireworks, and David and Kenny subdue him. Kenny kisses Melissa, prompting David to kiss Rose. Don arrests Chacon, but lets the Millers leave in gratitude because they saved Melissa.

Gurdlinger reveals that he never intended to pay David for smuggling the marijuana. When David delivers the marijuana to Gurdlinger, DEA agents arrive and take him into custody based on a tip from David. Don tells David that he and any witnesses of the crime will be placed into witness protection until the trial of Gurdlinger and Chacon. Later, the Millers - now under witness protection together - are seen together at a suburban house with marijuana plants growing in the backyard.

Cast

Production

Development of the movie first began in 2002. [4] Steve Buscemi, Will Arnett, and Jason Bateman were all attached at one point to play David Clark, and Peter Cattaneo had signed on to direct at one point. Burr Steers and eventual rewriters Sean Anders and John Morris were considered to direct. [5] [6] In April 2012, various sources broke the news that Jennifer Aniston and Jason Sudeikis were in talks to star in the film. [7] [8] Emma Roberts, Will Poulter, Ed Helms and Kathryn Hahn were added in July. [9] [10]

Production began in Wilmington, North Carolina, on July 23, 2012. [9] Filming also took place in New Mexico. [11] It was presented at the 2013 Traverse City Film Festival. [12]

Release

The film was released in theaters on August 7, 2013, in the United States, [13] and on August 23, 2013, in the United Kingdom. It was released on September 18, 2013, in France, and was released on November 8, 2013, in Spain.

Home media

We're the Millers was released on Blu-ray and DVD on November 19, 2013, by Warner Home Video. [14] [15] The DVD was released as a two-disc special edition, containing two versions of the film: the original theatrical version, and the "unrated" extended cut with 8 minutes of new material and 45 minutes of featurettes, outtakes and deleted scenes.

Reception

Box office

We're the Millers grossed over seven times its $37 million budget, earning over $150 million in North America and $119 million internationally for a worldwide total of $270 million. [13]

Critical response

On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 49% based on 160 reviews with an average rating of 5.5/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "We're the Millers squanders its potential with an uneven, lazily assembled story." [16] On Metacritic, the film has a score of 44 out of 100 based on 38 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews". [17] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A−" on an A+ to F scale. [18]

Accolades

YearAwardCategoryRecipientResult
2013 Key Art Awards Best Trailer – Audio/Visual Warner Bros., New Line Cinema, Trailer Park Nominated
2014 People's Choice Awards [19] Favorite Movie Actress Jennifer Aniston Nominated
Favorite Comedic Movie ActressJennifer AnistonNominated
Favorite On-Screen ChemistryJennifer Aniston and Jason Sudeikis Nominated
Favorite Comedic MovieWe're the MillersNominated
British Academy Film Awards BAFTA Rising Star Award Will Poulter Won
Empire Awards Best Male Newcomer Will PoulterNominated
MTV Movie Awards [20] [21] Best Female Performance Jennifer AnistonNominated
Best Breakthrough Performance Will PoulterWon
Best Shirtless Performance Jennifer AnistonNominated
Best Kiss Emma Roberts, Will Poulter, Jennifer AnistonWon
Best Song from a Movie Will Poulter – Waterfalls Nominated
Best Comedic Performance Jason SudeikisNominated
Teen Choice Awards [22] Choice Movie Actress: Comedy Emma RobertsWon
Choice Movie: LiplockEmma Roberts, Jennifer Aniston, Will PoulterNominated
Choice Movie: Hissy Fit Jason SudeikisNominated
2015 Casting Society of America Big Budget ComedyLisa Beach, Sarah Katzman, Lisa Mae Fincannon, Jeremy Gordon, Beth Lipari, Dana SalernoNominated

Canceled sequel

On February 25, 2014, Warner Bros. Pictures and New Line Cinema announced that a sequel to We're the Millers was in development, titled We're Still the Millers, with Adam Sztykiel writing the script. [23] In March 2023, while promoting Murder Mystery 2 , Jennifer Aniston confirmed that the sequel was scrapped. [24]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jennifer Aniston</span> American actress (born 1969)

Jennifer Joanna Aniston is an American actress. She rose to international fame for her role as Rachel Green on the television sitcom Friends from 1994 to 2004, which earned her Primetime Emmy, Golden Globe, and Screen Actors Guild awards. Since her career progressed in the 1990s, Aniston has consistently ranked among the world's highest-paid actresses, as of 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stripper</span> Striptease performer

A stripper or exotic dancer is a person whose occupation involves performing striptease in a public adult entertainment venue such as a strip club. At times, a stripper may be hired to perform at private events.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jason Sudeikis</span> American actor and comedian (born 1975)

Daniel Jason Sudeikis is an American actor, comedian, writer, and producer. In the 1990s, he began his career in improv comedy and performed with ComedySportz, iO Chicago, and The Second City. In 2003, Sudeikis was hired as a writer for the NBC sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live, and later spent nine seasons as a cast member from 2005 to 2013, playing Joe Biden and Mitt Romney, among others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rawson Marshall Thurber</span> American film director

Rawson Marshall Thurber is an American filmmaker and actor.

Echo Films is an American production company founded in April 2008 by American actress Jennifer Aniston and her production partner Kristin Hahn. Echo Films has a production deal with Universal Pictures. The company produces projects for both film and television. Most of the projects star Jennifer Aniston.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steve Faber</span> American screenwriter

Steve Faber is an American screenwriter best known for his work on the movie Wedding Crashers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Will Poulter</span> British actor (born 1993)

William Jack Poulter is a British actor. He first gained recognition for his role as Eustace Scrubb in the fantasy adventure film The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (2010). He received critical praise for his starring role in the comedy film We're the Millers (2013), for which he won the BAFTA Rising Star Award.

<i>Unity</i> (film) 2015 American film

Unity is a 2015 American documentary film written, directed and produced by Shaun Monson, and the sequel to the 2005 film Earthlings. The film is narrated by one hundred actors, artists, athletes, authors, businessmen, entertainers, filmmakers, military personnel and musicians. The film was released worldwide on August 12, 2015. This is Ryan O'Neal's final film role before his retirement from acting in 2017 and his subsequent death in 2023.

<i>The Bounty Hunter</i> (2010 film) 2010 film

The Bounty Hunter is a 2010 American romantic action comedy directed by Andy Tennant, starring Jennifer Aniston and Gerard Butler. The story centers on a bounty hunter hired to retrieve his ex-wife, who has skipped bail. The film was released in the United States on March 19, 2010. The film received negative reviews from critics but was a box office success, grossing $136.3 million against a production budget of $40–45 million.

<i>Eastbound & Down</i> American television series

Eastbound & Down is an American sports comedy television series that was broadcast on HBO, and created by Ben Best, Jody Hill and Danny McBride. It stars McBride as Kenny Powers, a former professional baseball pitcher who, after a career downturn in the major leagues, is forced to return to his hometown middle school in Shelby, North Carolina, as a substitute physical education teacher.

<i>Horrible Bosses</i> 2011 American comedy film

Horrible Bosses is a 2011 American black comedy film directed by Seth Gordon, written by Michael Markowitz, John Francis Daley, and Jonathan Goldstein, from a story by Markowitz. It stars Jason Bateman, Charlie Day, and Jason Sudeikis, alongside Jennifer Aniston, Colin Farrell, Kevin Spacey, and Jamie Foxx in their supporting roles. The plot follows three friends, played by Bateman, Day, and Sudeikis, who decide to murder their respective overbearing, abusive bosses, portrayed by Spacey, Aniston, and Farrell.

<i>Shes Funny That Way</i> (film) 2014 American film by Peter Bogdanovich

She's Funny That Way is a 2014 screwball comedy film directed by Peter Bogdanovich and co-written with Louise Stratten. It stars Owen Wilson, Imogen Poots, Kathryn Hahn, Will Forte, Rhys Ifans, and Jennifer Aniston. It marked the first feature film Bogdanovich directed in 13 years since The Cat's Meow. In addition, the film marked Bogdanovich' final non-documentary feature he directed and Richard Lewis' final theatrical film before their deaths in 2022 and 2024 respectively.

<i>Horrible Bosses 2</i> 2014 American film

Horrible Bosses 2 is a 2014 American crime comedy film directed by Sean Anders and written by Anders and John Morris. A sequel to 2011's Horrible Bosses, the film stars Jason Bateman, Charlie Day, Jason Sudeikis, Jennifer Aniston, Jamie Foxx, Chris Pine, and Christoph Waltz. The plot follows Nick, Kurt, and Dale as they kidnap the son of a billionaire investor in order to blackmail him, out of revenge after he screws them over on a business deal.

Chris Bender is an American film producer whose beginnings were through developing and co-producing American Pie film series based on his and writer Adam Herz' own high school experiences. In November 1998, he established the management and production company Benderspink with partner J.C. Spink, a fellow alumnus of Bucknell University. Benderspink had a successful first look deal with New Line Cinema for over 15 years and a first look deal with Universal Cable Productions and before that, CBS Studios and Fox 21.

<i>Cake</i> (2014 film) 2014 film

Cake is a 2014 American drama film directed by Daniel Barnz, written by Patrick Tobin, and starring Jennifer Aniston, Adriana Barraza, Felicity Huffman, William H. Macy, Anna Kendrick, and Sam Worthington. It debuted in the Special Presentations section of the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival.

<i>Mothers Day</i> (2016 film) 2016 film by Garry Marshall

Mother's Day is a 2016 American romantic dramedy film directed by Garry Marshall and written by Marshall, Tom Hines, Lily Hollander, Anya Kochoff-Romano, and Matt Walker. It features an ensemble cast including Jennifer Aniston, Kate Hudson, Shay Mitchell, Julia Roberts, Jason Sudeikis, Timothy Olyphant, Britt Robertson, Jack Whitehall, Héctor Elizondo, and Margo Martindale. Filming began on August 18, 2015, in Atlanta. It was the final film of Marshall's career prior to his death in July 2016 as well as the final film appearance of his sister Penny before her death in December 2018.

<i>Office Christmas Party</i> 2016 American Christmas comedy film directed by Will Speck and Josh Gordon

Office Christmas Party is a 2016 American Christmas comedy film directed by Will Speck and Josh Gordon and written by Justin Malen and Laura Solon, based on a story by Jon Lucas and Scott Moore. The film stars an ensemble cast, including Jason Bateman, Olivia Munn, T.J. Miller, Jillian Bell, Vanessa Bayer, Courtney B. Vance, Rob Corddry, Kate McKinnon, and Jennifer Aniston.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kristin Hahn</span> American film producer, writer, director (born 1969)

Kristin Hahn is an American film and television producer, writer and director. Hahn is the founder and president of production company, Hahnscape Entertainment, and the co-founder of production company Echo Films, alongside Jennifer Aniston. Prior to Echo Films, Hahn co-founded Plan B Entertainment with Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt where she served as executive producer on the Academy Award-winning The Departed, and co-producer on The Time Traveler's Wife. 

<i>Fools Paradise</i> (2023 film) Film by Charlie Day

Fool's Paradise is a 2023 American satirical comedy film written and directed by Charlie Day in his directorial debut. The film stars Charlie Day, Ken Jeong, Kate Beckinsale, Adrien Brody, Jason Sudeikis, Edie Falco, Jason Bateman, Common, Ray Liotta, and John Malkovich.

<i>Murder Mystery 2</i> 2023 American film by Jeremy Garelick

Murder Mystery 2 is a 2023 American action comedy mystery film directed by Jeremy Garelick and written by James Vanderbilt. It is a sequel to the 2019 film Murder Mystery, and it stars Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston with Mark Strong, Mélanie Laurent, Jodie Turner-Smith and John Kani.

References

  1. ↑ "WE'RE THE MILLERS (15)". British Board of Film Classification . June 14, 2013. Retrieved June 14, 2013.
  2. ↑ McClintock, Pamela (August 6, 2013). "Box Office Preview: 'Elysium' Aims for $35 Million-Plus Debut". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved August 12, 2013.
  3. ↑ "We're the Millers (2013)". Box Office Mojo . Retrieved June 12, 2016.
  4. ↑ Eisenberg, Eric (July 26, 2011). "Jason Bateman To Play A Middle-Aged Pot Dealer In We're The Millers". Cinemablend. Archived from the original on October 6, 2011. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  5. ↑ White, James (September 7, 2010). "New Line High Again On We're The Millers". Empire . Archived from the original on October 3, 2013. Retrieved February 2, 2013.
  6. ↑ Kit, Borys (November 3, 2005). "Arnett eyeing 'Millers' role for New Line". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on January 5, 2006. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
  7. ↑ Fernandez, Jay; Kit, Borys (April 9, 2012). "Jennifer Aniston, Jason Sudeikis in Talks to Star in New Line's 'We're the Millers'". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved February 2, 2013.
  8. ↑ White, James (December 5, 2006). "Aniston Could Say We're The Millers". Empire. Retrieved February 2, 2013.
  9. 1 2 Abrams, Rachel (July 13, 2012). "Emma Roberts in talks for 'We're the Millers'". Variety . Retrieved February 2, 2013.
  10. ↑ McNary, Dave (July 12, 2012). "Kathryn Hahn joins 'Millers' cast". Variety . Retrieved February 2, 2013.
  11. ↑ "'We're the Millers' to film in NM – Albuquerque Business First". Bizjournals.com. September 5, 2012. Retrieved February 2, 2013.
  12. ↑ "Traverse City Film Festival gets underway Tuesday with early showing of "We're the Millers," starring Jennifer Aniston". The Oakland Press . July 29, 2013. Retrieved August 12, 2013.
  13. 1 2 "We're the Millers (2013)". Box Office Mojo . Retrieved February 2, 2013.
  14. ↑ "We're the Millers (DVD)". Amazon.com . Retrieved November 20, 2013.
  15. ↑ "We're the Millers (Blu-ray)". Amazon.com . Retrieved November 20, 2013.
  16. ↑ "We're The Millers (2013)". Rotten Tomatoes . Flixster . Retrieved May 16, 2020.
  17. ↑ "We're the Millers". Metacritic . Retrieved June 12, 2016.
  18. ↑ Finke, Nikki (August 12, 2013). "'Elysium' #1 But Can't Break $30M, 'The Millers' #2, 'Planes' #3, 'Percy Jackson: Monsters' #4; 'Smurfs 2' Now $156M Global". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on May 7, 2021. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  19. ↑ "People's Choice Awards: Fan Favorites in Movies, Music & TV – PeoplesChoice.com" . Retrieved June 12, 2016.
  20. ↑ "2014 MTV Movie Awards: Full Nominations List". MTV. March 6, 2014. Retrieved March 11, 2014.
  21. ↑ "MTV Movie Awards: Winners List". Variety. April 13, 2014. Retrieved April 13, 2014.
  22. ↑ Nordyke, Kimberly (August 10, 2014). "Teen Choice Awards: The Complete Winners List". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 17, 2014.
  23. ↑ Anderton, Ethan (February 25, 2014). "New Line Hires 'Due Date' Writer to Script 'We're the Millers' Sequel". firstshowing.net. Retrieved February 25, 2014.
  24. ↑ Olson, Savannah (March 29, 2023). "Jennifer Aniston says that a We're the Millers sequel almost happened". yahoo.com. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.