DreamWorks Pictures Presents: People Like Us

In Brief

From DreamWorks Pictures comes “People Like Us,” a drama/comedy about family, inspired by true events, starring Chris Pine (“Star Trek”) as Sam, a twenty-something, fast-talking salesman, whose latest deal collapses on the day he learns that his father has suddenly died. Against his wishes, Sam is called home, where he must put his father's estate in order and reconnect with his estranged family. In the course of fulfilling his father's last wishes, Sam uncovers a startling secret that turns his entire world upside down: He has a 30-year-old sister Frankie whom he never knew about (Elizabeth Banks). As their relationship develops, Sam is forced to rethink everything he thought he knew about this family—and re-examine his own life choices in the process. The film also stars Olivia Wilde, Michael Hall D’Addario, Philip Baker Hall, Mark Duplass and Michelle Pfeiffer.

Review

by Susan J. Yeager

Sam (Chris Pine) is a fast-talking wheeler-dealer who spends most of his time making deals and spending time with his girlfriend (Olivia Wilde). His world comes undone when his father unexpectedly dies and he is forced to return home to his estranged mother (Michelle Pfeiffer) to help get his father’s affairs in order.

He already harbors a lot of resentment towards the man who seemed to love music more than his own family, but things get much worse when he finds out that his dad has left a lot of money to a sister that Sam never even knew he had. Frankie (Elizabeth Banks) is a single mom with a lot of issues of her own. Her son Josh (Michael D’Addario) keeps getting into trouble at school and that doesn’t help Frankie’s on-going effort to keep her alcohol addiction in check. Sam’s first impression is that she doesn’t deserve his help and he is jealous of the time Frankie got to spend with his dad.

Once Sam starts to get to know Frankie and Josh, his opinion begins to change. He realizes that after all this time of feeling alone in the world, there is someone else out there who understands exactly what he is going through. How does he even begin to tell his mother about these new people that he’s starting to love and how on Earth does he tell Frankie that he is really her brother? Will she still want him in her and Josh’s life?

“People Like Us” is a well-told, extremely well-acted film that will resonate with anyone who feels like their family is dysfunctional, and let’s face it… isn’t that really all of us? It’s a heart-warming drama about learning to really love and forgive people who don’t quite live up to our expectations. Love can come from some surprising places and hopefully people will be open to embracing it no matter how it floats into their lives.

Meet Michael Hall D'Addario (Josh)

DreamWorks' “People Like Us” is a well-written, family drama that features great performances by notable Hollywood names such as Michelle Pfeiffer, Chris Pine and Elizabeth Banks. The movie tells the story of a man named Sam (Pine) whose life is turned upside down when his father dies and leaves his money to a sister that Sam never knew existed. The sister, Frankie (Banks), is a single Mom to a son named Josh (Michael D’Addario) who isn’t exactly happy with his life and expresses that unhappiness in pretty destructive ways.

Josh is very convincingly played by actor, Michael D’Addario who at 13 more than holds his own in scenes with established actors twice his age. He has been acting for seven years now and has appeared on Broadway with the likes of Katie Holmes, John Lithgow and Dianne Wiest. He also appeared in several episodes of the television series “Are We There Yet?”

Michael graciously took time out of his hectic schedule to answer some questions for us. Find out more about this talent on the rise below.

What were some of your first professional jobs?

Well, I played a role in a great play called "The Coast of Utopia" at Lincoln Center, I guess that was my first professional job. There was a cast of 40 something, and so many excellent actors in it. Ethan Hawke was one of the stars, and I happened to get cast as his son in the last film I did. The first TV job I did was the John Adams miniseries for HBO, I played young Charles Adams. That was really cool because I got to have authentic costumes from Revolutionary war times and they gave me hair extensions so I could have a ponytail (now I have my own long hair). Another fun job was doing Radio City Christmas Spectacular. I got to fly in a harness every show, and I met a lot of nice people there.

What was your audition process like for "People Like Us?"

Well, my mom put me on tape the first time I auditioned. Then they asked for more stuff on tape, another scene or two. Then, I think the third time, the casting director came to New York and I was called in to meet with her. The final step was going out to Los Angeles to meet with Alex Kurtzman, the director. When I went in to see Alex, we went through a couple scenes and we talked, it was nice. He's a real nice guy.

How did you research playing Josh? How are you and Josh alike and different?

To be honest, I didn't really research the part. Jody Lambert, one of the writers, had a lot to do with the "Josh" character, and it's like he wrote it for me. I don't think I'd ever blow up a pool, but there are many things Josh does and says that I would do. Josh is kind of sarcastic and so am I. He's really into music and drumming, and so am I. He kind of talks like an adult a lot of the time and people tell me I do too. I also think Josh is a sensitive kid, but he doesn't really like to let it show too much, I can relate to that.

Do you have a favorite scene in the movie?

Probably my favorite would be in the crab shack. It was fun and we got to eat a whole bunch of crab, which is my favorite seafood.

What do you do in your spare time?

I play in a band with my brother and two friends. I play drums, my brother, Brian, is the guitarist, and our friends Thomas and Danny are on bass and keyboards. We all sing. We've been together for like five years. That's mostly what I do, rehearse with the band, practice drums, write songs, and practice other instruments. I've been playing bass and guitar for awhile now. But drums are my main instrument. I also play video games, watch movies, stuff like that. Not really into sports that much, but I do like to draw. Especially cartoon-like stuff.

What music are you listening to these days?

I listen to so much music. I guess the latest is Red Hot Chili Peppers, John Frusciante, Nirvana, Radiohead, Jeff Buckley, and The Pixies. I've also been listening to the Lovin' Spoonful. I actually got into some of the music Chris Pine's character, Sam, turned Josh onto in the film. Jody gave me a CD with some samples and I ended up really liking Joy Division, Television, and the Buzzcocks.

Do you have any other projects coming up that we should keep an eye out for?

Well, I have a horror movie coming out in October. It's the one I played Ethan Hawke's son in. It's called "Sinister."

Who would you like to work with in the future?

I want to be a professional rock musician. There are so many musicians from the past and present that I'd like to work with, I can't even name them all. Some I'll never get to meet because they aren't around anymore, like Keith Moon, Jeff Buckley, and John Bonham. Other ones, like Dave Grohl or John Frusciante, who knows, maybe I have a shot.

Michael proves his mad acting skills in DreamWorks’ “People Like Us,” which you can see in theaters starting June 29. Hopefully, we will be seeing more of Michael on the big and little screen soon. It sounds like we will be hearing more from this talent in the future as well. He is definitely a talent to take note of this summer!

For more visit:

Website and Mobile site: ppllikeusmovie.com
Like the film on Facebook: facebook.com/peoplelikeus