PRINTMovie Review: That's My Boy
Father-son bonding at its finest
Sony Pictures
June 16, 2012 | 12:00 p.m. CST
Ridiculously inappropriate? To call it that would be an understatement.
That’s My Boy, directed by Sean Anders, covers all manner of sins.
Related MovieThe story begins in 1984. Donny Berger (Justin Weaver), a seventh-grader, has spawned a child from a forbidden relationship.
In the present day, adult Donny (Adam Sandler) re-emerges. Viewers then are introduced to his son, Todd (Andy Samberg), who left home at eighteen and appears to have blossomed ideally despite having been brought up by his paternally unskilled father.
Todd has a successful career and a beautiful fiancée, Jamie (Leighton Meester). Just before their wedding, Donny arrives uninvited to reconcile with Todd but isn’t being completely truthful about his presence.
Suddenly, the audience is caught in a blizzard of irony, and their expectations are consistently defied throughout the film.
For instance, most of the scenes are shot in and around an elegant weekend house owned by Todd’s boss, Steve Spirou (Tony Orlando), inhabited by wealthy, dignified guests. But they’re the most foul-mouthed of individuals whose unexpected reactions to vulgarity are to be accepted by viewers as normal behavior.
The dialogue is incredibly crude and numerous scenes are obnoxiously raunchy, both managing to sustain the humor from beginning to end — that is, if you enjoy its sick humor shared by the filmmakers and insult comic Lisa Lampanelli. Bonding moments between Donny and Todd are scarce and insulting since they aren’t, well, funny.
Audiences should beware that this isn’t your typical feel-good Father’s Day special. Don’t expect groundbreaking performances, either.
But do expect this: you won’t score points with Dad or your father-in-law with this film, especially if he’s a conservative.
Vox Rating: V V V
