De Niro, Stiller save 'Parents' from tired predictability

By Lyle Henretty

Daily Arts Writer

All right, so maybe I've just seen too many movies, too many comedies. It just bothers me that Hollywood movies cannot seem to bring us anything new. It's not even to say that this film was bad, or that I didn't enjoy it. I just refuse to be so cynical as to believe that every plot imaginable has already been used and we will be forced to watch new versions of the same story over and over again. Yet, even with a well done film, like Jay Roach's "Meet the Parents," that seems to be the case.

Let me give an example. When our well-meaning protagonist, Greg Focker (Ben Stiller) first arrives at the home of the couple he hopes to make his in-laws (Robert De Niro and Blythe Danner), he learns three things. One: No one is to flush the toilet in the den or the septic tank will overflow. Two: The cat is only a housecat and cannot be let outside. Three: The remains of Greg's girlfriend's beloved grandmother reside in an urn over the fireplace. Okay, does anyone have any doubt that Greg will flush the toilet, let the cat outside and somehow desecrate Granny's final resting-place? I didn't think so.

Predictability aside, all involved to a wonderful job in this movie. Roach, a veteran of the "Austin Powers" films, appears to be the sort of director who sets up his camera and allows his actors to carry the movie.

My only complaint is that he takes so much time to develop the film's better gags, that some (such as Greg's perspective father in law having hidden, motion detecting cameras all over the house) are rushed and don't do the narrative any good. His decision to allow the camera to linger on De Niro and Stiller's faces, though, saves the film from complete mediocrity. Both actors excel, using facial expression to near-genius comic effect, and watching them wordlessly react to one another is laugh-out-loud funny.

The fact that De Niro already lampooned his tough-guy image in "Analyze This" does not take away from his hilarious performance in this film.

He brings as much thought and skill to this performance as he did to his Jake La Motta role in "Raging Bull." His over-protective father is not the caricature it could have easily become, but a real, loving, terrifying man. For any guy who has ever met his girlfriend's father for the first time and left the experience feeling castrated, De Niro's performance may hit too close to home.

Stiller can play basically one character, but he plays it so well the audience is usually willing to forgive him. He does quite well holding his own in scenes with De Niro. Stiller also has the ability to express emotions that his character cannot get control of, especially anguish, anger and fear. The rest of the cast holds up just as well in smaller roles.

Blythe Danner is impeccable as a mother that must try to save Greg from her overbearing husband. Her Stepford wife-ish way of changing the subject, or trying to make everything "okay" would have been tragic in a serious film and adds humorous tension here. Character actors James Rebhorn and Owen Wilson also bring depth and humor to minor roles. Teri Polo ("Felicity"), as Greg's intended, needs only be the pretty object of conflict between Stiller and De Niro, and that is all she does. Her's is the only character lacking depth, which is a shame, and constantly reminds the viewer that we've seen this story several times before.

All in all, the film is good, but derivative. It's a fun date movie, or one to go see for a few legitimate laughs with your friends. It's just too bad that all this talent and energy could not have been put into something original.

Courtesy of Universal

The happy introductions in Universal's "Meet the Parents." It's all fun and games until you flush the toilet, let the cat out and desecrate Granny's remains.