TORONTO — A self-satisfied satire about a quartet of salespeople posing as your average affluent American family, “The Joneses” certainly had a workable premise at its disposal.

But in the hands of first-time writer-director Derrick Borte, what could have been a biting black comedy taking product placement to the logical extreme instead is so obviously predictable that even a savvy cast led by David Duchovny and Demi Moore can’t sell it.

Emerging from the Toronto International Film Festival without a domestic-distribution deal, the film can’t help but draw comparisons to “Confessions of a Shopaholic,” another ill-timed comedy about raging consumerism that few found funny given the current economic climate.

From the get-go, there’s something a little too perfect about the Joneses, the attractive, confident brood that recently moved into their fabulously furnished home in a decidedly upscale suburb.

As it turns out, Steve (Duchovny), Kate (Moore) and their teenaged kids, Jenn (Amber Heard) and Mick (Ben Hollingsworth), aren’t a real family at all but a grouping of slick shills assembled by boss Lauren Hutton with the intention of getting the neighbors to lust after their cool stuff.

They would include the highly acquisitive Larry (Gary Cole) and his wife (Glenne Headly), who turn out to be seriously overextended as it is, and you don’t need a sales manual to see where things are headed.

Borte, who comes from the world of commercials, signals every intended plot twist and turn so far in advance, it’s way too easy to keep up with “The Joneses.” One expects a subliminal message of some sort, but it’s all on the surface.

It still works up to a point, largely because of the persuasive qualities of its cast, notably Duchovny’s raffish charm and Moore’s spirited hustle, which in tandem generates a palpable chemistry.

Or maybe that’s just what they wanted you to think.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

David will be hitting the talk show circuit to promote the third season of Californication:

Jimmy Kimmel Live: Tuesday Sept. 22 on ABC
Tavis Smiley: Thursday Sept. 23 on PBS
The Bonnie Hunt Show: Friday Sept. 25 (syndicated)

From the Tavis Smiley website:

The X-Files made David Duchovny an international celebrity. What began as a lark on the way to a Ph.D. at Yale became his calling, and the Golden Globe-winning actor brings that intense intellect to his roles. Before stardom, he had a recurring role on the series Twin Peaks and made guest appearances on The Larry Sanders Show. Crossing over to the big screen, Duchovny’s film credits include House of D—his film directorial and writing debut—and The Joneses. He now stars in the Showtime series, Californication.

Here is a look at David Duchovny as Hank for the season 3 of Californication which premieres Sunday, September 27th at 10pm on Showtime.

Season 3 will feature quite a few special guest stars including Kathleen Turner (Romancing the Stone, Peggy Sue Got Married), Peter Gallagher (‘The O.C.’), Diane Farr (‘Numb3rs’), Eva Amurri (Saved!), Embeth Davidtz (Mansfield Park), Ed Westwick (‘Gossip Girl’), and legendary 80’s rocker Rick Springfield.

2009 Toronto International Film Festival “The Joneses” Premiere:

2009 Global Green USA Millennium Awards:

X-Files: I Want to Believe Screen Captures (courtesy of xfilesmedia.com)

And more!

David Duchovny appeared happy to be at the Toronto Film Festival, where he’s promoting his new movie The Joneses, except for one thing: He was without his wife, Téa Leoni, and their kids, Madelaine West, 10, and Kyd Miller, 7.

“I had to leave them this morning to come here – that’s tough,” Duchovny, 49, told PEOPLE at the film’s Sunday premiere. Though last fall the couple separated, that was then. Now at home, he says, “Everything is great.”

After calling Leoni, whom he married in 1997, a “great partner, wife, and mother” (and a killer on the tennis court, to boot), Duchovny talked up his cross-country family vacation over the summer. His favorite part of the journey? “Just being with my kids and watching them open up,” he tells PEOPLE. “Just watching them relate to new people and new experiences – it’s just great seeing them as little people.”

Derrick Borte, director of The Joneses, added that it became evident during the filming of the movie just how devoted a family man Duchovny is.

Dad Duty
“I’d go visit him in his trailer and one of them is hiding in the cabinets in there and they’re running around… climbing all over him,” says Borte.

But that’s not to say the Californication star’s on daddy duty all the time.

“He’s a prankster and a jokester and really keeps everybody fresh and loose just by his humor,” Borte says, adding that he could share any of Duchovny’s jokes “without bleeping things out. But [he's] just a very funny guy. Very warm and giving and fun to work with … And the smartest guy in the room.”

Source: People Magazine

Thursday, July 15 at 5:35 Pacific, the nominations for the 61st annual Primetime Emmy Awards will be announced. Keep your fingers crossed that David gets a nod for Californiaction! Watch them streamed live at Emmys.com.