Keeping up with the joneses2/18/2023 In a bid for laughs of a different sort, Michael LeSieur’s script then drags the Gaffneys through such fish-out-of-water experiences as high-speed chases, shootouts and a potentially life-threatening stint as disguised decoys. The latter plot line plays off the cliche of men fantasizing about lesbian encounters as Karen, who has followed Natalie into a clothes store, winds up sharing a dressing room with her while they try on lingerie together. But not before Jeff develops a “man crush” on Tim and Natalie casts a spell of exotic sensuality over Karen. Jeff and Karen eventually discover that the Joneses are, in fact, undercover spies. For her part, Natalie has a gourmet cooking blog and supports a charity for orphans in Sri Lanka. Travel writer Tim speaks Chinese, has a favorite cafe in Marrakesh and learned glass-blowing during one of his stays in Hungary. Instead, they’re distracted by the arrival of new neighbors, suspiciously perfect couple Tim and Natalie Jones (Jon Hamm and Gal Gadot). With their two young sons off to summer camp for the first time, Jeff and Karen should be concentrating on the pleasures of a temporarily empty nest. Jeff is a mid-level executive in the human resources department of a large defense contractor while Karen works from home as an interior decorator. What remains are some good intentions and fitful smiles.Įxemplifying the ordinary folks the movie seeks to salute are Atlanta-area cul-de-sac dwellers Jeff (Zach Galifianakis) and Karen (Isla Fisher) Gaffney. Come join the conversation on our blog.NEW YORK (CNS) - “I am everyday people.” Such was Sly and the Family Stone’s boast in a classic 1968 song, and a similar sentiment pervades the action comedy “Keeping Up With the Joneses” (Fox).ĭespite its celebration of the lives of honest, decent, maritally committed suburbanites, however, awkward handling causes both the film’s upright message and its humor to fall flat. We need to share our brokenness and help each other heal and grow. Give me the boldness to be real with others so that they feel the freedom to be real, too.Įxcerpted with permission from Devotions from the Front Porch, copyright Thomas Nelson.ĭoes your life feel messier than others’? Have the enemy’s lies shamed you into isolation? Today, find someone safe to be real with and ask them to be real with you, too! We’re not meant to do life alone. I have listened to the enemy’s lies and allowed him to shame me into isolation. I have played the timid, insecure person for too long, Lord. And chances are, they’re sitting on their porch thinking that your life looks pretty great. Don’t allow insecurity and the comparison game to keep you from loving your neighbor. At the end of the day, it doesn’t mean a thing. It doesn’t matter if their children always wear matching outfits and your kids don’t even wear matching socks. If you’re doing the very best you can, then take pride in each day. You don’t need to compare yourself to someone else in order to feel good about yourself. Everyone has heartache, drama, and sleepless nights. The enemy wants you to believe that no one else deals with the things you deal with at home. He would much rather you isolate yourself and feel alone. He doesn’t want open, honest relationships. Satan doesn’t want people to join together in community. He wants to convince you that they are better than you. The enemy wants you to think that the neighbors have it easier than you. It’s a good day if yours has some toilet paper left on the roll. The last time you used the restroom at their house, it felt like a trip to the spa. Meanwhile, you could feed a small country with the discarded french fries and cereal remnants in the floor of your van. You see them open their car doors, and trash doesn’t even fall out. Galatians 6:4Īre you ever tempted to look at the neighbors and compare yourself to them? Perhaps from your perch on the porch, their lives look pretty great. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else.
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