“An enjoyable story that is heightened by its absurdity but grounded in human emotion”

It seems as though there is a common theme when turning on the news these days– conflicts being reported on channel after channel, from local disputes to wars and genocide taking place on a larger geopolitical scale. With so much violence and hatred in the world, would it not make sense to want to counteract this tension on an interpersonal level when the chance arises? To extend the proverbial olive branch and restore peace amidst constant animosity, at least in one small corner of the world? This is exactly the question Chris Cottam’s new comedy The Problem With People poses, as Fergus (Des Keogh), an Irishman on his deathbed, asks his son Ciáran (Colm Meaney) to get in contact with his cousin Barry (Paul Reiser) in the hopes of reuniting their long-estranged American family. It’s a dying wish that turns out to be a deceptively simple request since Ciáran connecting with his cousin over the phone isn’t enough for his father— instead, he tells him to get Barry to fly from New York to small-town Ireland so the two men can properly attempt to bridge the gap between generations.

As expected, Barry is very much a fish-out-of-water upon his arrival to the Irish countryside, his distance from his roots evident by his out-of-place accent and perplexed expression. The interactions between the two cousins when they first meet at the train station are congenial yet tentative, characterized by awkward hugs and attempts at small talk about the beauty of their surroundings. Ciáran introduces Barry to the town as Fergus toasts the long-awaited reunion of the two sides of his family at the local pub, telling the story of their decades-long estrangement in a sequence shown through a beautifully animated sepia-toned flashback. All seems to be going well for the newly reunited cousins, just as Fergus had hoped— at least until his sudden passing, when Ciáran discovers an unexpected caveat in his father’s will that causes a petty rivalry to brew between the two.

Meaney and Reiser deliver memorable turns as they make entertaining foils to one another, with viewers easily able to feel sympathy for their respective characters in one moment and annoyance in the next. While the cousins’ retaliation perpetuates the familial rift that Fergus sought to mend, it also leads to unexpected moments of hilarity, as much of the film’s comedy comes from its witty banter and contrived schemes.There is one particularly humorous plot point involving livestock which shows just how ridiculous Ciáran and Barry’s feud has become, proving that the two men will stop at nothing to get their comeuppance against one another. Even the glances exchanged when one of them realizes they’ve just been had by the other are often cause for a laugh, conveying their frustrations without a single word needed.

At its core, The Problem With People is charming and relatively simple, with an enjoyable story that is heightened by its absurdity but grounded in human emotion. As with many films set in Ireland, it is also imbued with an unmistakable sense of nationalistic pride, enticing the audience with visuals of gorgeous landscapes soundtracked by Celtic music. While the script—written by Reiser and Wally Marzano-Lesnevich—boasts a distinctly Irish syntax, often relying on common colloquialisms and profanity, its themes manage to feel universal and socially relevant.

It is also worth mentioning that the film is surprisingly LGBTQ+ inclusive, with Barry’s headstrong daughter Natalya (Jane Levy) introduced early on as a single mother who has split from her former partner, Rachel. Rather than Natalya’s queerness only existing within this passing comment, it is an aspect of her character that acts as something of a connective tissue between the families in a surprising but sweet way. Even though its title may seem cynical, The Problem With People offers a comedic yet heartfelt commentary on human nature that affirms there is still good in the world and it is never too late to try and make amends— even if they come several generations later.

The Problem with People is in cinemas 8 November from Kaleidoscope Entertainment

Dir: Chris Cottam
Prod: Paul Reiser, Max Brady, Chris Cottam
Cast: Colm Meaney, Paul Reiser, Des Keogh, Lucianne McEvoy, Jane Levy
Release Date: 8 November 2024
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