IMDb > Step Brothers (2008)
Step Brothers
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Step Brothers (2008) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 61 | slideshow) Videos (see all 26)
Step Brothers (2008) -- This is the theatrical trailer for Step Brothers, directed by Adam McKay.
Step Brothers (2008) -- Clip: Overboard
Step Brothers (2008) -- Behind the scenes: Step Brothers do Karate
Step Brothers (2008) -- Interview: John C. Reilly "On the story"
Step Brothers (2008) -- "Only On The Web": Newspath's Michele Jarchin chatted with Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly about their upcoming film, 'Step Brothers.'

Overview

User Rating:
6.7/10   43,746 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 4% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers (WGA):
Will Ferrell (screenplay) &
Adam McKay (screenplay) ...
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Contact:
View company contact information for Step Brothers on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
25 July 2008 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
They grow up so fast.
Plot:
Two spoiled guys become competitive stepbrothers after their single parents get hitched. full summary | full synopsis
Awards:
1 win & 1 nomination more
User Comments:
A combination of Fergie and Jesus…Step Brothers more (202 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Will Ferrell ... Brennan Huff

John C. Reilly ... Dale Doback

Mary Steenburgen ... Nancy Huff

Richard Jenkins ... Dr. Robert Doback

Adam Scott ... Derek

Kathryn Hahn ... Alice

Andrea Savage ... Denise

Lurie Poston ... Tommy
Elizabeth Yozamp ... Tiffany

Logan Manus ... Chris Gardoki
Travis T. Flory ... Redheaded Kid (as Travis Flory)
Lili Rose McKay ... 7-year-old Girl (as Lili McKay)
Shira Piven ... Nurse
Seth Morris ... Doctor

Wayne Federman ... Blind Man
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Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

MPAA:
Rated R for crude and sexual content, and pervasive language.
Runtime:
98 min | 106 min (unrated version)
Country:
Language:
Colour:
Aspect Ratio:
2:40 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:14A (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Ontario) | USA:R (certificate #44260) | Ireland:16 | UK:15 | Singapore:M18 | Philippines:R-18 (MTRCB) | Australia:MA | Sweden:7 | Portugal:M/12 | Peru:14 | Finland:K-13 | New Zealand:R16 | Netherlands:12 | South Korea:18 | Ireland:18 (DVD rating) | Italy:VM14 | Argentina:13 | Iceland:12 (re-rated) | Iceland:7 (original rating) | Iceland:L (video rating) | Mexico:B15

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
At one point, Will Ferrell's character disguises himself as a Nazi to scare away possible buyers of their house. In the remake of The Producers (2005), he played a fugitive Nazi. more
Goofs:
Continuity: During the first dinner scene, the ketchup bottle goes from top to bottom and back between shots. more
Quotes:
Alice: I wanna roll you up into a little ball and shove you up my vagina. more
Movie Connections:
References The Punisher (2004) more
Soundtrack:
The Impression That I Get more

FAQ

What are the differences between the R-Rated theatrical version and the Unrated version of the movie?
Is there a scene after the credits?
What is the song that Will Ferrell sings at the end of the movie?
more
93 out of 156 people found the following comment useful.
A combination of Fergie and Jesus…Step Brothers, 19 July 2008
7/10
Author: babubhaut from buffalo, ny, usa

I never in my wildest dreams thought I'd ever utter these words about a Will Ferrell vehicle, especially one with Adam McKay as collaborator—besides that Pearl video The Landlord on the internet last year—but here it is. Step Brothers is an absolutely hilarious film. From end to end, I don't remember the last time I've laughed this hard, without stop. This is what Ferrell needs to do, no more of those bio-spoofs of idiots that fall flat due to their tired joke. He is unstoppable as a part of an ensemble when he doesn't have to be the center of attention for an hour and half. The guy is obnoxious, and while funny, the more freedom he gets, the more annoying he is. Having a guy like John C. Reilly to play off of helps rein him in and give the audience a break, allowing the jokes to breath and not become stifled by the monotony of his schtick. Like Old School before it, Ferrell kills in smaller doses. He has shown me that ability again here and whereas I won't even keep Anchorman or Talladega Nights on screen when flipping through the television, I seriously can't wait to revisit this one again.

There is no bloated plot involved or even a love interest to distract from the comedy like the previous two "Everyman" entries in the Ferrell/McKay tag team's canon. I do believe that is the most refreshing aspect here; they finally see that you don't need a contrived romantic bent to be successful, we as an audience don't need to see the schlubby guy get the attractive girl, that is a cliché used way too often. We go to see a film like this to be entertained and to cause us to wet our pants with unstoppable laughter. As a result there are no lulls as even when the two stars begin to see how they must shape up and become adults for once, the awkwardness brings the laughs as well.

Step Brothers isn't winning any Oscars any time soon. With a premise involving the union of two older professionals, both of whom have 40-year old sons still living at home, devoid of responsibility, and lacking serious occupations, what do you really expect? Nancy Huff, (Mary Steenburgen showing that she is still around Hollywood), and Robert Doback, (Richard Jenkins letting his funny side out to complement the wonderful dramatic turn he gave in this year's The Visitor), are in love and perfect for one another. Their sons, unbeknownst to them at first, are also soulmates in the best friend platonic way. Completely the same person, right down to the hiding things in the kitchen while sleepwalking at night, Brennan and Dale are children trapped in adult bodies who waited forty years to be brought together. The chemistry between Ferrell and Reilly is unstoppable on screen, they are having fun, they must be improvising, and truthfully not a second falls flat.

With so many gags, one would think it'd all seem a bit disparate and thrown together, but the filmmakers and stars have sewn everything up nicely. You want a rap video that is the most offensive thing you'll hear all year? Get Brennan and Dale to create a music talent agency. You want an a cappella rendition of Guns N' Roses? Give Brennan a cocky, pompous brother who can afford singing/voice listens for his entire family—absolutely priceless, and Adam Scott kills in this role, "Pow!". You need some gratuitous fake nudity? Give Ferrell a chance to rub his genitalia on Reilly's drumset. Check, check, and check. These guys cover all their bases, not to mention the swearing quota. I am surprised that they approved an R-rating here because it is so vulgar. The fact that a couple lines from the trailer didn't make the final cut shows that the actors must have improvised and done multiple takes of each scene. As a result, I'm sure they all tried to be as creatively crass as they could and to fantastic result. Some of the gems that spew forth ever so naturally are one-liners that will be repeated over and over again.

Really, it is these vulgarities that make the film that much more enjoyable to me. I think that McKay and Ferrell took a page out of the Apatow machine's book realizing a hard-R can and will sell. No one holds back at all, some of the sarcasm even makes the characters cry because it is so harsh. I love this aspect as it plays into the fact that these are 8-year old adults. Their excess of childlike exuberance and simplicity of mind and life—and let's not forget the way their parents react by either screaming and going to the Cheesecake Factory bar or coddling them as only a mother can do—adds to the absurdity of the situation and the laughs. Dale and Brennan fight, bicker, and eventually do everything together because they aren't just stepbrothers, no they are brothers for life in terms of their internal makeup. Think you and your sibling growing up in grade school, multiply that to the nth degree in terms of sex, violence, and language, and maybe you will be able to imagine what's in store for you once you sit down at the theatre. Just don't forget to stay after the first short run of end credits as the best jungle gym park brawl ever is awaiting you. Those kids didn't even have a chance.

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Message Boards

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Elephant Man reference? wdashton43
There is something hot about the mom (Nancy) madchronic420
Will Farrell has never, ever been funny to me, but.... Thomas-FordJr-1
one of the worst movies ever jaidinovich
People That Hate On This Movie..... cwc5569
Don't lose your dinosaur. jmrshrugs
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