The Brass Teapot (2012)

What could be better than a genie in a bottle? A teapot that gives you money, of course. It gives you an unlimited amount of funds, provided you are willing to give something in return. After all, you can't get something for nothing. Ramaa Mosley's, The Brass Teapot, is a well executed tale about greed, envy, pride and love.

The Premise

Alice and John are a young married couple struggling to make ends meet. They come across an antique brass teapot that magically gives them money. The catch is, they have to experience pain in order to get paid. With big dreams and high expectations, they push their limits and find out just how far they are willing to go for the big pay off. 

My Take

I have been a big fan of Juno Temple since Dirty Girl (2010). Since taking notice of her, I have realized just how many movies I have seen her in and just how versatile Juno really is. In The Brass Teapot, she plays Alice. Alice is educated and looking for a job but wants to start anywhere but the bottom. Therefore, she remains unemployed. Michael Angarano is Alice's husband, John. He is working as a telemarketer and is doing the best he can to make ends meet. Angarano has grown so much since I first saw him in Sky High (2005), which I absolutely loved. Together, they make the perfect couple. It is clear how much they love each other, despite the problems they may be having.

Alice comes across an antique brass teapot and takes it home. She discovers, by accident, that if she gets hurt the teapot produces money. From there, John and Alice do some funny, crazy, and kinky things in order to see the teapot pay them for their efforts. Eventually, they are able to move into the neighborhood they always wanted to live in, have the parties they always wanted have, eat in the restaurants they always wanted eat in, and fit in with people they always wanted to fit in with. This means nearly forgetting the true friends that they already had, played by Bobby Moynihan and Alia Shawkat, whom I just saw in The To Do List. Alice and John are chased by Jewish brothers (Thomas Middleditch and Bob McClure), a curious Chinese man (Steve Park), and greedy landlords (Billy Magnussen and Crisitn Milioti). All why trying to be happy emulating their richer friends, Payton and Ricky (Alexis Bledel and Ben Rappaport).

The Verdict

This movie was perfectly cast. Juno Temple and Michael Angarano were perfect together as Alice and John. They were fearless as actors and loving as their characters. They portrayed a couple that went to the brink of disaster but somehow managed to hold onto each other in the end. The supporting cast did their jobs wonderfully. All of the actors, especially Moynihan and Shawkat, were touching and funny in such an effortless way that they blended in seamlessly with landscape of the movie. The Brass Teapot was sexy, absurd, and a wonderful allegory about greed, pride and love. I give The Brass Teapot 5/5 dollars.