Sassy, struggling ‘People’

Discovered family secrets lead to rude awakenings in “People Like Us,” starring Chris Pine as a promising salesman who suddenly learns about the existence of a half-sister.

Hesitantly, Sam (Chris Pine) returns to California for his father’s funeral. Having no real happy memory of his dad, and currently dealing with a troubled rapport with his twitchy mother (Michelle Pfeiffer), Sam feels that it’s the last place he’ll do the most good. But he discovers the identity of his father’s illegitimate child, Frankie (Elizabeth Banks), a recovering alcoholic who works as a bartender (that’s some amazing fortitude right there), and is a single mother to a smart kid named Josh (Michael Hall D’Addario).

He tracks down Frankie, meets her without giving his real identity, and later starts getting chummy with her kid. Soon enough, his presence becomes important to both his new friends, who are unaware that Sam has possession of the inheritance money that he was supposed to deliver to them.

It’s a surprisingly simple but functional debut film by Alex Kurtzman, who co-wrote “People Like Us” with frequent collaborator Roberto Orci (“Star Trek,” “Transformers”) and another screenwriter, Jody Lambert. This particular family drama is straightforward and honest, if also predictable.

It’s not as raw and gritty as you’d hope, but the situations and their execution are real enough. There’s Sam’s all-too-real curiosity that gets piqued; he thought he was an only child, after all, and the realization that his dad was a man who left potentially painful secrets made him want to know how they’ll affect him and his mother.

Elizabeth Banks gets to shine as Frankie, a fumbling but sassy mom who hides the pain of being abandoned by her and Sam’s father. Banks has a familiar, friendly vibe going; it also helps that looks-wise, she’s like the middle sister of Elizabeth Shue and Chelsea Handler. She gets to display bursts of strength and vulnerability through the facetious Frankie.

It’s easy to sympathize and/or identify with these people surviving familial fallout. With solid performances and requisite moving moments, plus some funny parts that catch you off-guard, the film is pleasantly therapeutic.

“People Like Us” is an Ayala Cinemas exclusive opening on Aug. 15.