'Our Idiot Brother,' a movie that sounds like it will be an uproarious knee-slapper, opens at a theater near you this weekend. Paul Rudd, who seems like a very nice man, plays a very nice man who also happens to be the title character. But, does 'Our Idiot Brother' have a dirty little secret? Is it more of a quirky indie ensemble type comedy/drama than the Apatow-esqe tone you might assume? If so, does that mean that you won't like 'Our Idiot Brother?' As a service, we answer (with, this time, some help from co-star Adam Scott) every question that you could possibly have about 'Our Idiot Brother.'
Q: Who is the idiot brother?
A: Ned, played by Paul Rudd, is the "idiot brother" from the title.
Q: Is Ned actually an idiot?
A: Not really. It's more a case of Ned just being overly trusting and nice. His intelligence level seems to be what would be considered normal by society.
Q: Why do people think Ned is an idiot?
A: Because he sold marijuana to a uniformed police officer.
Q: Why would anyone other than an idiot do such a thing?
A: Again, it really was just a case of Ned being overly nice. The police officer was pleading with Ned to sell him marijuana because the police officer was having a tough week.
Q: Does Ned serve any jail time?
A: Somewhat shockingly, yes. Ned serves eight months in prison. After jail, Ned has to live shuffling back and forth with members of his family.
Q: Is this another one of those movies that focuses on an unemployed man-boy slacker?
A: Not really. Ned is more a drifter as opposed to a slacker. And he is unemployed, but unlike most Hollywood slacker movies, Ned is more than willing to work.
Q: What's the worst thing about 'Our Idiot Brother'?
A: The title. Honestly, it's a bit misleading when you consider the tone of the movie.
Q: What would be a more appropriate title for 'Our Idiot Brother'?
A: 'Our Very Nice Yet Sometime Naïve Brother.'
Q: I know that Ned must have a sibling. How many siblings does Ned have?
A: Ned has three siblings: Miranda (Elizabeth Banks), Natalie (Zooey Deschanel) and Liz (Emily Mortimer).
Q: Is there any conflict at all in 'Our Idiot Brother'?
A: Well, Ned, because he's so nice, is a little too open and honest with matters that involve his sisters. This causes strife with Miranda's job as a Vanity Fair reporter, Natalie's romantic relationship with Cindy (Rashida Jones), and Liz's marriage to Dylan (Steve Coogan).
Q: Oh, let me guess, the Vanity Fair offices depicted in 'Our Idiot Brother' are the Hollywood glamorized version of what the offices actually look like?
A: No, you're thinking of the GQ offices from 'Friends with Benefits.' From experience, I can confirm the Vanity Fair office in 'Our Idiot Brother' is genuine.
Q: Is there anyone who isn't nice in 'Our Idiot Brother'?
A: Steve Coogan's Dylan is not nice.
Q: Of the ensemble cast, who is the most criminally underused?
A: Adam Scott.
Q: How many 'Dune' references are in 'Our Idiot Brother'?
A: One, by Adam Scott's Jeremy.
Q: In real life, does Adam Scott like 'Dune'?
A: For this question, I emailed Adam Scott (seriously) who replied,
"I 'love' Dune. I LOVE David Lynch, but I 'love' Dune."
Q: What does that mean?
A: I'm not 100 percent sure.
Q: If this review is going to be blurbed in this weekend's commercials for 'Our Idiot Brother,' what quote do you hope is used?
A: "I 'love' Dune. I LOVE David Lynch, but I 'love' Dune." Adam Scott, Moviefone
Q: How many references to 'Anchorman' are made by Paul Rudd in 'Our Idiot Brother'?
A: One.
Q: How many times is Willie Nelson's name mentioned in 'Our Idiot Brother'?
A: I lost track at 20.
Q: Why is Willie Nelson's name mentioned so many times?
A: Ned's dog is named Willie Nelson.
Q: What will be the name of your first born son?
A: Ted Danson.
Q: What movie did 'Our Idiot Brother' remind you of?
A: 'Our Idiot Brother' reminded me of a much better made 'How Do You Know,' which, coincidentally, also starred Paul Rudd. In other words: The movie is not about one person, it focuses on multiple, intersecting lives and follows each character arc to completion.
Q: Should I see 'Our Idiot Brother'?
A: Sure. But don't expect an over-the-top laugh riot. It's a nice enough story involving nice people that has a few nice enough laughs.
Q: If you could sum up 'Our Idiot Brother' in one word, what would that word be?
A: "Nice."
Q: If I'm stuck in a hurricane this weekend, is 'Our Idiot Brother' worth venturing out into the storm to see?
A: No non-pornographic movie is worth venturing out into a hurricane. (On second thought, perhaps you should be getting your porn on the Internet like everyone else.)
You can contact Mike Ryan directly on Twitter.
Follow Moviefone on Twitter.