The DeNiro/Stiller double act is a delight and one of the many
reasons the film works as well as it does. Credit should also
go to director Roach and to Jim Herzfeld and John Hamburg -
who based their screenplay on a story by Greg Glienna and Mary
Ruth Clarke - for keeping the proceedings fresh and always laugh-out-loud
funny.
The trio don't just rely on toilet humour and cheap shots
for easy giggles (although there are some provided, as in the
pronunciation of Focker's surname), choosing instead to slowly
build the jokes so that when they finally arrive, they are that
much funnier.
Hence, you know that some terrible fate lies in store for DeNiro's
beloved, house trained cat from the moment it is introduced
and that his mother's prized ashes are sure to meet some disaster,
yet you can't help but chuckle when it does or cringe with embarrassment
for the unlucky Focker!
It comes as no surprise, therefore, when Byrne eventually decides
to hook Focker up to a lie detector test to find out more about
his future son-in-law in another comic highpoint. There is also
much amusement to be gained from the script, which excels by
giving its actors plenty to work with.
As a result, moments such as the debate involving cats, dogs
and humans provide plenty of food for thought, as well as the
required chuckles.
The fact that Meet The Parents did so well at the US Box Office
(where it spent four weeks at number one) is, perhaps, testament
to the sheer feelgood factor of the movie - it has a tremendous
amount of appeal and does not squander its talent.
Even when things threaten to get too `Hollywood' at the end,
Roach throws in a terrific payoff and allows Stiller to finally
throw off the shackles of a hitherto subdued performance.
The scene ensures you will leave the cinema with a big smile
on your face. In a year characterised by how gross comedies
can get, or how many movies they can parody, this is the one
exception to the rule - an intelligent, adult comedy which has
plenty of ideas of its own. For that reason alone, it should
definitely be seen