Review: ‘SNL’ stars Taran Killam and Bobby Moynihan frolic in run-of-the-mill ‘Brother Nature’
Taran Killam and Bobby Moynihan, who worked together on “Saturday Night Live,” square off in “Brother Nature,” an odd couple blended-family comedy scripted by Killam, Mikey Day and Cameron Fay. Directed by longtime “SNL” digital short filmmakers the late Matt Villines and Oz Rodriguez, it derives its formula from movies like “What About Bob?” with Killam in the role of uptight aspiring Seattle politician Roger Fellner, and Moynihan unleashed as his future brother-in-law, portly prankster Todd Dotchman.
The two collide during a family vacation at the lake with their significant others, nonprofit fundraiser Gwen (Gillian Jacobs) and her free-spirited sister Margie (Sarah Burns), along with their easygoing parents (Bill Pullman and Rita Wilson), and wacky aunt (Rachael Harris) and uncle (David Wain).
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While Roger plans to propose to Gwen, he’s foiled at every turn by the overenthusiastic ministrations of Todd, who is way too excited about the possibility of a new brother. Todd is well-intentioned, if not necessarily harmless in his rambunctiousness, but for almost every woe that befalls Roger — ant attacks, an accidental edible marijuana trip, a crash with Todd on a pair of water jet boots captured on live TV — he has only himself to blame.
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Killam is reined in as Roger, with only a few moments to let his weird out, while Moynihan goes all in inhabiting the wild and wacky childlike energy of Todd. “Brother Nature” has its amusing moments, providing a showcase that tends toward the formulaic and predictable.
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‘Brother Nature’
MPAA rating: R, for some sexual references and drug content
Running time: 1 hour, 36 minutes
Playing: Laemmle Monica Film Center, Santa Monica
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