In a situation any man can relate to, the 2000 comedy “Meet the Parents” demonstrates that great acting, a good story, and tons of laughs are all that is needed to create a perfect comedy.
Ben Stiller stars as Greg Focker, an average every-man type that we can all certainly relate too and sympathize with as the story – written by Jim Herzfeld and John Hamburg – unfolds. Greg intends to propose to his girlfriend but as some long ago untraceable doctrine of honor dictates, he must first obtain permission from her father, whom he is yet to meet.
“Meet the Parents” follows a hilarious weekend in the suburbs of Long Island as the socially awkward Greg does whatever it takes to impress the overly stoic father Jack Byrnes (Robert De Niro). Greg quickly finds that his jokes aren’t funny, and no matter what he says it seems to be wrong. Impressing Jack is a seemingly impossible task.
Where “Meet the Parents” succeeds so well is the perfect rapport between Stiller and De Niro. Stiller is a comical actor by trade and as such, fits in easily as Greg Focker, a male nurse and guy you really feel for as he does his best amidst a series of chaotic forces puling him and his girlfriend Pam (the beautiful Teri Polo) apart.
My avid followers know my love affair with Robert De Niro, always perfect as a tough talking mobster (“Goodfellas“) or a hard edged tough guy (“Taxi Driver“) but his role as Jack Byrnes is easily one of his best. De Niro demonstrates his talents in front of the camera as he willfully trades in his typical pin striped suit for a house in the burbs. Every guy fears the idea of meeting his girlfriend’s father, and De Niro takes the role to the perfect tension filled level. “Be nice to this one,” Pam pleads. “I kinda like him.” To which Jack begrudgingly replies “Okay, I’ll try.”
As a series of mishaps land Greg further and further in the doghouse, or outside of Jack’s famed “circle of trust” the story just gets funnier and funnier. Greg loves Pam and it shows. That he is willing to put up with the overbearing Jack – who has long ago decided that no one will ever be good enough for Pam – demonstrates the depth of their relationship.
Supporting actors are effective, including Blythe Danner as Pam’s mother, and the hysterical Owen Wilson as Kevin – Pam’s ex fiance, but the real movie revolves solely around the interactions between Stiller and De Niro.
“Meet the Parents” is a great movie with incredibly funny moments and very likable characters. It’s a perfect watch for the family, and has the kind of replay value that effective comedy films should always have.
by – Matt DeCristo
