Description

Ideal Home 2018
1h 31min | Comedy, Drama | 6 July 2018 (UK)

Storyline:

Steve Coogan and Paul Rudd star as Erasmus and Paul, a bickering gay couple whose life is turned inside out when a ten-year old boy shows up at their door claiming to be Erasmus’ grandson. Neither Paul, nor Erasmus, are ready to give up their extravagant lifestyles to be parents, but maybe this little kid has a thing or two to teach them about the value of family.

User review:

In an inspired piece of casting, pairing Steve Coogan and Paul Rudd as a bickering gay couple is Ideal Home’s bright spark. The two veteran actors bring their impeccable comedic timing to the roles of Erasmus (Coogan), a TV chef with an inflated ego, and his TV director partner Paul (Rudd) who spend their days on set together trading snippy remarks. After all, they say you shouldn’t mix work with pleasure.

The two find their lives uprooted when Erasmus’ ten-year old grandson arrives at their door looking to stay in their custody. The message soon becomes clear for these two estranged lovers: If they can learn to love the boy maybe they can learn to love each other again?

Directed by Andrew Fleming, who previously directed Coogan in the musical comedy Hamlet 2, Ideal Home is genuine but never preachy in its depiction of a gay couple bringing up a child. The film prioritises humour over offering any real insight into the challenges of parenthood with two fathers. Besides, it’s not hard to surmise from the synopsis alone where the story is heading and it’s the humour that makes the film when the story lets up.

Luckily Coogan and Rudd are genuinely funny and they share real romantic chemistry allowing the film to tap into a fountain full of humour and heart. Packed with witty one-liners, the film is consistently funny. In one scene, after offering alcohol to a man who responds that he’s sober, Paul retorts, “I’m also sober but I’m planning to do something about it.” If you’re in the mood for a laugh, Ideal Home is an ideal piece of light entertainment.

Director: Andrew Fleming
Writer: Andrew Fleming
Stars: Paul Rudd, Kate Walsh, Alison Pill
Country: USA
Language: English
Release Date: 6 July 2018 (UK)
Also Known As: A Modern Family
Filming Locations: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA