Disconnect to Reconnect
Matthew (Sean Faris - An Uncommon Grace) and Rebecca Jones (Mischa Barton - Cyberstalker) are newlyweds but their lives are completely dominated by their computers, phones and tablets as they are permanently glued to them. It is because of their reliance on technology to communicate that they end up missing out on a house thanks to a misunderstanding caused by auto correct. But when the city they live in suffers a power outage they are forced to spend a night without technology, leading to them spending time together talking, and giving them the best night of their lives. Realising that technology had started to get in the way of their relationship they decide to try and disconnect to reconnect when ever they are home together which is not as easy as they first thought.
A few years back I spent a week in hospital, it was a time before smart phones and tablets were the norm and so for an entire week I had to go without my computer and internet, not something I had done in more than a decade. Being unplugged and disconnected for a whole week was weird to start with but it was one of the most refreshing things I have ever done and I not only read several books but came up with some great ideas. The thing is that I was forced to disconnect and since then have never managed to do it again as my life is dominated by technology, distracted by emails, tweets, pins and so on. I tell you this because "The Joneses Unplugged" is all about this, how are use of technology controls are life to the point than some people can't disconnect and experience the beauty of life without a screen in front of their faces.
So what you get in "The Joneses Unplugged" is this cute rom com where Matthew and Rebecca decide to unplug and use their unplugged time to have date nights and basically have fun falling in love all over again. Now to be honest it is as cheesy as the topping on a pizza that the Joneses order after failing a cooking class but it also makes a valid point about how technology is controlling are lives, that at times are reliance on gadgets makes us incapable of doing things with out them, unable to use our own instincts. It also makes other points from people not communicating or experiencing the simple pleasures of a walk around the neighbourhood without being connected.
In truth some of "The Joneses Unplugged" is a bit too cheesy whilst forcing the message about technology. But at the same time it is exactly the sort of light hearted fun which appeals to fans of made for TV movies and that means we have a lot of nice guys and some romantic subplots surrounding friends and people the Joneses meet that are lonely.
What this all boils down to is that I liked "The Joneses Unplugged" but then I do enjoy the light hearted nature of made for TV dramas and family movies. Plus for all the cheese it does make a lot of good points about how technology is not only dominating our lives but in some ways it is an addiction.
