The Joneses

By Vanessa Aron

Consumerism is a fascinating subject. And it’s a subject that always boils back to status. We buy things because there is a status symbol associated with it. Argue with me if you want, but that’s how it goes. It’s why we by fancy jeans, flashy cars and the latest and greatest anything and everything. If it wasn’t for the status associated with the product, we’d all be walking around in matching burlap sacks.

The Joneses is a humorous and at time, in my opinion, creepy movie that shows the influence of materialism in our lives. Starring Demi Moore and David Duchovny (a last name I fail miserably at saying), The Joneses follows a ‘family’ of business men and women who transplanted themselves into a community to push products. As with most trends, goods that have been marketed properly to a targeted consumer base will move and spread like wildfire. And the community in which the Jones family lives, these products become the latest and greatest must have trends.

From an outsider’s perspective, The Jones family is perfect. The marriage is flawless, the kids are popular, and the house and yard are well manicured. Yet inside the ‘family’ there are more personal problems that unravel as the film progresses. Other problems throughout the community begin to unravel as well. The Joneses is a great movie that reminds us all, in a funny and sad way, what we do with our cash.