“Keeping Up with the Joneses” is the latest film showcasing just how bad things can get for someone who’s in the wrong place at the wrong time. Zach Galifianakis and Isla Fisher play Jeff and Karen Gaffney, a suburban couple trapped in their day-to-day routine.

The two are enjoying summer for the first time without the kids at home and spending their time the way any other couple alone at home would: watching freshly recorded episodes of “The Good Wife.”

Their unassuming lives are suddenly interrupted with the introduction of Tim and Natalie Jones, their new neighbors who seem to amazing to be true. Tim, played by Jon Hamm, and Natalie, played by Gal Gadot, are both highly accomplished and worldly people who claim they’re just looking to settle down in a nice
little cul-de-sac.

Karen’s suspicions grow and soon the two are outed as spies for the American government. Suddenly Karen and Jeff are thrown into a world in which they don’t belong and have
no interest.

The movie gets its strength from the performances of the leading roles, but that’s about all it has to offer. Hamm is great as always in a comedic role but his stilted script doesn’t allow for much comedy to come through. Similarly, Gadot’s character is very much the same domineering and condescending character throughout the movie and doesn’t inspire too much sympathy for her plight. Galifianakis does his best – as he always does – and it goes a long way. His performances are always genuine and funny when he needs them to be but unfortunately he wasn’t able to drag the rest of the cast with him.

The movie is funny and will garner its fair share of laughs as will any comedy seen with the right people, but the real touching moments of the film are those between Tim and Jeff.

Both are desperately searching for a friend, whether they know it or not, and their shared time, albeit brief, is a gentle and endearing section of an otherwise abrasive and tactless story.

There is a scene with the two in a snake restaurant that shares an equal amount of laughs and genuine emotional connection. Unfortunately it falls flat when the film then resorts back to its strategy of making the most obvious joke.

The film is obviously not without its moments but overall isn’t a movie that one should spend too much
time on

It’s funny and will put a smile on your face by the end, but that’s about as much of an impact as can
be expected.

Unfortunately, this movie doesn’t have a lot going on underneath the surface.

The jokes aren’t subtle and the comedy isn’t very insightful but it has
its moments.

Some sections have funny moments, which is what the film’s audience is hoping for. There will be laughs but if you’re looking for a comedy that knocks you out of your seat, you may have come to the wrong place. There are more mild chuckles throughout the film than roaring laughter.

“Keeping Up with the Joneses” is what the average movie goer would imagine, so don’t worry if you’re not keeping up with
the Joneses.