# Meet the Parents (2000)

### reviewed by
Berge Garabedian

    MEET THE PARENTS
    RATING: 8/10 --> Great movie

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When I first heard about this comedy starring Robert DeNiro and Ben Stiller, I was stoked. After DeNiro proved himself to be more than just a great actor in last year's ANALYZE THIS, with a wonderful performance, and Stiller continually solidifying himself as one of the best comedic actors of his generation, the film could do no wrong in my eyes. But then I saw the first trailer for the movie, and well...I won't mix words here: it wasn't very funny. I was mortified, petrified! How could this be...DeNiro, Stiller, a father-in-law comedy...how could it miss? But all of that anxiety quickly dissipated as I sat to watch this film, a movie that has now become my favorite comedy of the year. DeNiro is great in it once again, Stiller perfect and the world is as it should be...

PLOT: This is the story of young man who loves a young woman and wants to ask for her hand in marriage. But before he does that, he believes that a meeting with the young woman's father and asking for his approval would be a good idea. They meet and things don't go too well. You see, the father loves his daughter very much and isn't sure about this young man. The father is also very good at psychological profiling...and he's quite paranoid. Let the fun begin.

CRITIQUE: A very funny movie that is able to combine a great premise with ideal actors, laugh out scenes with a sentimental touch and over the top sequences with a believable story line. Go see this movie and laugh! See it with your parents and join in the fun. See it with your better half and remark on the similarities. See it with your brother, your sister, you cat for God's sakes, most "people" should be able to identify and appreciate this film. And even though I love toilet humor as much as the next guy, I have to admit that it was nice to see a movie that despite some "easy" dirty jokes (one excellent running gag was the use of the Stiller character's last name during the entire feature, spelled f-o-c-k-e-r), relied mostly on sight gags, physical comedy and finely tuned humorous moments. Really well-made. And kudos to director Jay Roach who came off his one-two punch of the AUSTIN POWERS movies with a solid underrated uppercut a la MYSTERY, ALASKA and TKO'd it all with this.

And DeNiro, boy-oh-boy, what can be said about Robert DeNiro? Is there anything that this man can't do? Another one out of the ballpark for the man best known for his dedication to the craft of acting, with one more extremely effective comedic performance. Wow. Now let's see Pacino take a few shots at the game of funny! Woo-haa, indeed! But I can't top off this review without mentioning the great work done here by the incomparable Ben Stiller. I love this guy! I love his whole persona, his nervous twitches, his way of being sincere, funny and serious all at the same time. I really do believe that he is one of the more underrated comedic actors of our time and I sincerely hope that he gets more recognition after this. The rest of the performers were also very well cast, notably Blythe Danner as the aloof mother and Owen Wilson, set perfectly as the stinkin' rich ex-fiancé. Gotta love that crooked nose of his. I enjoyed this entire movie from start to finish. It's funny when it has to be, hilarious when it needs to be and even touching as it nears conclusion. Many memorable lines, many funny moments with the cat (cat haters beware!) and an overall good time. Don't go in expecting the world to bowl you over with this but do expect to be thoroughly entertained. Thumbs way up, folks!

Little Known Facts about this film and its stars: Robert DeNiro is currently in Montreal, Canada shooting a film called THE SCORE directed by Frank Oz, co-starring Marlon Brando and Edward Norton. Now I mention this not necessarily as a "little known fact", but more as a "very cool fact". Three actors greatly admired by their respective generations starring in a film together. Wow. Pretty gosh darn cool. Speaking of Ed Norton, he recently made his own directorial debut with KEEPING THE FAITH, starring the always funny, and part-time director on his own right (remember THE CABLE GUY?), Ben Stiller. This is actress Teri Polo's "big break" movie, but fans of the TV show "Felicity" know her as the recurring character Maggie. She also appeared as Rebecca on the ABC sitcom "Sports Night". Actress Blythe Danner, the mother in this movie, is Oscar-winning actress Gwyneth Paltrow's mom in real life. Besides playing the "goof" in many of his recent movie parts, actor Owen Wilson is also a pretty decent writer as well. He co-wrote two critically acclaimed movies with writer/director Wes Anderson, BOTTLE ROCKET and RUSHMORE. He is currently playing a male model in ZOOLANDER, a comedy written and directed by Ben Stiller, based on a character he came up with for the VH-1 Fashion Awards three years ago.

    Review Date: September 28, 2000
    Director: Jay Roach
    Writers: James Herzfeld and John Hamburg
    Producers: Robert DeNiro, Jay Roach, Jane Rosenthal, Nancy Tenenbaum
    Actors: Robert DeNiro as Jack Byrnes
    Ben Stiller as Greg Focker
    Teri Polo as Pam Byrnes
    Genre: Comedy
    Year of Release: 2000
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    (c) 2000 Berge Garabedian

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