Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly star as these two (ahem, not so young) lads who are thrown into the middle of some ruckus when Brennan's mom, Nancy Huff (Mary Steenburgen) and Dale's dad, (Richard Jenkins) decide to get married. From across the front lawn at the Doback residence, Brennan and Dale eye each other as if in a Mexican standoff, because they are now officially step brothers. And now, officially, they must share the Doback residence as their hearth and home. The kids, at least, are none too pleased.

Will Ferrell puts on his sour face as Brennan, who at thirty-nine has recently lost his job at Petsmart and therefore is more or less forced to live with his mother until he 'gets back on his feet.'

Playing opposite, John C. Reilly, forty years old, throws tantrums as Dale, the guy obsessed with keeping everyone - especially Brennan - from touching his drum kit. Each wanting to pursue their dreams of simply not living in what we call the real world, they must fight for attention and respect as the territory Dale has once called his own has become quite crowded.

When their single parents get hitched, the action starts. Anyone with siblings or even anyone without siblings can relate: doors are slammed, feelings are hurt, and conversations are crushed mid-syllable at the dinner table. Brennan and Dale are to share Dale's room, each sleeping on a single-sized bed and lob threats and insults at each other in the dark. Their parents, in the bedroom across the house, discuss their children and plan for Dr Doback's retirement. They look forward to sailing around the world in the good doctor's boat.

As if to make up for their previous lack of initiative, Brennan's younger brother Derek Huff (Adam Scott) is a rich, successful businessman who also is a self-taught estate agent. He is everything Brennan is not, and as if to spite him, offers to Dr. Doback to sell his house, make extra income, retire and sail around the world even earlier than expected.

The step brothers are given an ultimatum: they have one month to find jobs and move out. Having been living from their parents' purses their entire lives, they find this outrageous. But they put on their Sunday best and pursue the job front with a vigour rarely seen in anyone of any age.

It is up to Brennan and Dale to save the house, and when they finally discover that they are more alike than they thought, they unite and form a team that, well, does its best. In a very funny and I'm-not-being-held-accountable kind of way.

Dr Phil, eat your heart out.

Verdict: ***