The Joneses

In some respects, this film is probably a good 2-4 years too late to speak of its theme of rampant consumerism as "Keeping up with the Joneses" ain't all just fun and games.  It might have made for a decent 10 minute SNL skit, too.

In order to promote product consumption, a marketing business creates families out of people with good up-sale and soft skills.  The general grift has a family of 4 move into a well-to-do neighborhood, flash all sort of goodies to the neighbors and friends, and plant seeds of consumption for the goodies, all dependent on the manufacturers push for their products. 

For the film's faux "Joneses" family, David Duchovny, Demi Moore play husband and wife (Steve and Kate), with teenaged daughter and son (Jenn and Mick) played by Amber Heard and Ben Hollingsworth.  (side note - I enjoyed staring at Amber Heard)  Kate, being the manager of the family, calls the shots, while Steve might as well be a rent-a-husband.  The "kids" have their own foibles.  The Joneses begin with a good start on creating demand for the products they have been tasked to push (though it's never really clear how their efficacy is really measured), the new levels of consumption take its toll on the neighbors, as well as on Steve, who is new to the whole set-up and has, well, morals about the situation.

The film's screenplay could have been a bit more on the satirical side, ramping up the extremes to make it a little more funnier , instead of ironic, and playing for simple melodramatic beats in spots, which are not all that insightful or deserve the screen time.   It's about 1/2 of an entertaining film, though Duchovny imbues Steve with some humanity and charm that's devoid in the rest of his family.

I give it 2.75 stars, or a grade of B-.