People Like Us

People Like Us

Year: 2012

Runtime: 114 min

Language: English

Director: Alex Kurtzman

Budget: $16M

Drama

A charismatic salesman's life takes an unexpected turn with the sudden death of his father. Returning home, he discovers a long-held family secret: he has a 30-year-old sister he never knew. Forced to confront this revelation, Sam must navigate the complexities of a newfound sibling and re-examine his understanding of his family and his own identity.

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In the bustling world of high‑stakes finance, Sam Harper moves through New York’s corporate corridors with the easy charm of a seasoned salesman. Beneath his polished exterior lies a restless energy, a yearning for connection that the cut‑throat market can’t satisfy. The film’s tone balances crisp, urban realism with a lingering melancholy, hinting at the personal costs of a life lived on perpetual motion.

When news of his estranged father’s death reaches him, Sam is pulled back to the sun‑baked streets of Los Angeles, a stark contrast to the steel‑gray skyline he left behind. There, the weight of family history settles like a quiet summer heat. He reunites with Lillian Harper, his mother, whose protective instincts have shaped Sam’s understanding of loyalty and sacrifice. The reunion is charged with an unspoken tension, a mixture of love, resentment, and the unanswered questions that have lingered for decades.

Among the lingering shadows of the past, Sam discovers a secret that reshapes his sense of self: a thirty‑year‑old sister he never knew exists. Frankie Davis, a resilient yet fragile woman battling the aftermath of addiction, embodies the hidden side of his father’s life. Through her, Sam is introduced to Josh Davis, the bright‑eyed boy whose presence adds a gentle urgency to the unfolding family narrative. The sudden emergence of these relationships forces Sam to confront the complexities of identity, belonging, and the tangled roots that bind them.

The film unfolds as an intimate portrait of a man caught between two worlds—his ambitious career and the fragile, uncharted terrain of family. Its style is understated yet evocative, using soft lighting and lingering close‑ups to capture the quiet moments of revelation. As Sam navigates the unfamiliar terrain of siblinghood and unanswered histories, the story invites viewers to consider how hidden connections can reshape who we are, offering a nuanced meditation on forgiveness, rediscovery, and the enduring pull of home.

Last Updated: October 07, 2025 at 13:29

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