" Meet The Parents " is a light, enjoyable romantic comedy that will make audiences cringe on recollections of some not-so-fond memories. It pleasingly does not rely on gross-out humour for laughs and has an original and engaging script, something of a rarity for comedies these days.
The film revolves around a man named Greg Focker, who decides on meeting his girlfriends parents before asking her to marry him. Greg soon finds out that " meeting the parents " is not as easy as it sounds…
Although the premise of Jay Roach's comedy doesn't strike the viewer as being particularly funny at first, the audience is gradually drawn to the plight of Greg Focker, evidently scared wit-less by his girlfriend Pam's " slightly " over-protective father, Jack Byrnes. Greg is a likeable figure, an ordinary 20 - something year old male who is dragged, unknowingly , into the weekend of hell. What makes the comedic scenes work here is that the characters, apart from De Niro, seem to be real people, in real situations as opposed to the wildy over-the-top figures in many of the Farrely brothers films. When something goes wrong for Greg, the audience laughs but also retains a sympathetic " I know how it feels " thought for him. This factor means that " Meet The Parents " works on two levels, wildly comedic but sympathy inducing at the same time. And it makes for very funny viewing.
Although Ben Stiller and the supporting cast give excellent performances, this is Robert De Niro's film. Building on 1999's gangster comedy " Analyze This ", De Niro delivers a chillingly authorative, hilarious performance as the in-law from hell. Where other actors indulge in going over-the-top in roles such as this, De Niro restrains himself and limits face-pulling antics to a minimum, preferring to treat the character seriously, which makes his quips all the more laugh-inducing when they come. Stiller and De Niro thrive off each others performances, with contrasting mannerisms , from Greg's edginess and willingness to please to Jacks dry comments about his future son-in-laws unfortunate last name.
As with most romantic comedies, this film ends on a happy note, but avoids the sweet sentimentality that mares many an enoyable movie.
Overall, " Meet The Parents " is great entertainment with fantastic performances that has me dreading the day I meet my in-laws. |
