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> MEET THE PARENTS (2000)
If they gave Oscars for "Best Comedy" this movie would win this year, hands down...

By John C. Lyons
Film Critic

Directed by: Jay Roach

Written by: Greg Glienna, Mary Ruth Clarke

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Starring: Robert DeNiro, Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson

Our Rating: 8out of 10

The movie season is back again in full force (after a long hiatus) and Meet the Parents continues the streak. From the previews, you know this movie is going to have some funny moments and, for a change, they only touched the tip of the iceberg. I honestly came to tears at some points from laughing so hard during this film!

Robert DeNiro has proven in previous films, like Analyze This, that he can do comedy and he does a superb job yet again here. In the right situations DeNiro is funny as hell. A couple key elements are to put him opposite a very sarcastic actor/comedian that can stand on his/her own. Billy Crystal and now Ben Stiller fit this position completely. DeNiro does not deliver the punch lines, he is merely the spectator in all his stern toughness. The thing that makes these situations hilarious is the way in which he reacts. In Meet the Parents, he plays Jack Byrnes, father of the woman who Greg Focker (Ben Stiller) wants to marry. Jack, however, is a very strict father with absolutely no sense of humor. Ben Stiller, of course, is full of sarcasm and these two make perfect polar opposites. The lack of character compatibility, however, makes these two the perfect team on-screen.

The plot is as follows, Greg wants to marry his girlfriend Pam, although first he must get through her father and ask his permission. The only problem with this situation is that Greg and Pam's father are having a bit of trouble relating to one another. Stiller's character is a nurse, his last name is Focker, he is very sarcastic. DeNiro's character is retired from the CIA, has no sense of humor, and is extremely protective of his daughter. There is a lot of tension to start between these two, and it only gets worse, much worse! You really feel sorry for Greg throughout this film, but you can't help but laugh at each situation he gets himself into. Kudos to director Jay Roach who, with the Austin Powers films and now this one, has made himself quite a bit of money by making us laugh, and who can't appreciate that?!

I am not going to go into any details regarding the unbelievably horrid situations Stiller's character goes through in this movie; however, I will reiterate that the previews and commercials you have seen are only the beginning! This is a great movie for laughs, although I would recommend it only for adults because of some of the language and innuendos.

I saw this film at Tinseltown 17 in Erie, PA.

What I liked: The chemistry, through total lack of chemistry, between Ben Stiller and Robert DeNiro is perfect! Some great, creative, and all out hilarious scenes! Funny movies always make you feel good when you leave the theater, and this one succeeds on all fronts.

What I didn't like: Sure the guy goes through almost too much to make this film even a little believable at times, but hey, it's not supposed to be based on a true story. People who lack a sense of humor probably wouldn't like this film.

(00-1010)