The In-Laws
Movie Review
"The In-Laws"
Review by Eric D. Snider
Grade: C
Rating: PG-13
Released: Friday, May 23, 2003
Directed by:
Cast:
I hope Albert Brooks is happy knowing that when he appears in mediocre films like "The In-Laws," he is coming off as the brightest spot in them. Of course, he shines in good movies, too, but the light is even more radiant when all that surrounds him is dross.
I don't mean his co-stars. They are a charismatic bunch. Michael Douglas, as a rogue CIA agent whose son is about to marry Brooks' daughter, has his characteristic easy charm; Ryan Reynolds ("National Lampoon's Van Wilder") and Lindsay Sloane as the young couple are feisty and talented; Candace Bergen even shows up and earns a few chuckles as the CIA agent's bitter ex-wife. And Brooks, of course, has that soft, sarcastic whine that is both pleasing and amusing, like taking a warm bath with a clown, or something.
Their material, however, is second-rate. Based on the 1979 comedy, the rewritten screenplay by Nat Mauldin ("Dr. Dolittle") and Ed Solomon ("Charlie's Angels") offers the watered-down pablum that Hollywood cranks out by the fistful. Characters are forced into unlikely situations and then react unrealistically to them, eliminating any chance of humor.
And then there is Albert Brooks, who manages to rise above it and brings a few laughs. His understated delivery, his gentle neuroses, his expert comedy timing -- these are pivotal resources in any film, but especially one as weak as this. It is not reason enough to see it, really, but it's enough that if you are somehow forced into it, you will be able to survive. Brooks is a life preserver in a sea of C-grade belabored wackiness.
Grade: C
Rated PG-13, scattered profanity, some bawdy humor
1 hr., 35 min
Copyright © Eric D. Snider.
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This item has 1 comment
August 13, 2007 at 1:37 pm
To this day, this is one of the worst movies I've ever seen in my life. A C grade is far, far too generous, especially considering the original material they had to work with. The original "In-Laws" is a personal favorite of mine as far as comedies and movies in general go--its humor is superb. The rich combination of the deadpan Peter Falk, who obviously takes his insane character very seriously, combined with straight-man Alan Arkin who has never delivered a bad line in his life, make for a classic comedy. To then turn around and expect a non-comedian like Michael Douglas, whose only talent in the past five years has been looking old, to fill the adept shoes of Falk is purely poor casting. The storyline is a bastardized version of the original, throwing in unnecessary and asinine characters and eye-rolling ridiculous situations, which concludes in a circus melee of substandard Hollywood fare, complete with sight gags and slapstick that even the stupidest of children would fail to find amusing.
Stop trying to kill me with your horrid remakes, Hollywood. I'd rather be poked in the eye with a pencil, especially if it prevents me from seeing such feeble attempts at humor as this.