Stiller, De Niro Clash In 'Meet The Parents'
By by JON EDWARDS, Contributing Writer
"Meet the Parents" has quickly become the first hit of the fall movie season by grossing over $81 million in its first three weeks. The reason for its popularity is not complicated: it is a refreshing comedy that has a simple story, good acting and a well-written screenplay.

Greg Focker (Stiller) wants to propose to his girlfriend but decides not to when he overhears her say that a suitor must ask her father (Robert De Niro) for permission to propose. So Greg and Pam (Teri Polo of TV's "Sport's Night" and "Felicity") spend the weekend with Pam's parents. Greg tries to win their affection but instead his nervousness causes him to nearly destroy the house and wreck his chances of earning Pam's parents' approval.

The film succeeds best by not overdoing the humor and by creating awkward situations to which the audience can relate. Unlike so many comedies of the past few years, there is little gross-out humor in this film. There are no characters that are absurd or extremely funny. The humor plays on Greg's real-life anxiety and on how he is uncomfortable around Pam's family. For example, her family asks him to say grace, but, because he is Jewish, he doesn't know how. All that he wants is for Pam's parents like him, but most of his efforts to that effect only backfire.

The film's funniest moments are the ones that come out of ordinary events. One of the film's best scenes comes when Greg must handle the various bureaucratic nonsense involved in air travel. Among other hassles, the airline loses a bag that he hadn't wanted to check, and he must wait for his row to board even though there is no one else waiting.

I cannot think of anyone who would be a more terrifying father-in-law than De Niro. He does a great job with the character and embodies everything that Greg fears. The movie takes advantage of De Niro's comedic acting ability, which he has previously demonstrated in both "Wag the Dog" and "Analyze This." The supporting cast adds to the humor. Owen Wilson, who recently starred in "Shanghai Noon," especially shines in a minor role as Pam's rich ex-fiance Kevin. He is everything that Greg is not, and his presence makes Greg even more nervous because he can't decide if he should be more like Kevin or not.

The movie, quite simply, is funny. Unlike other recent comedies, its humor isn't embarrassing to watch, so it's is a great film to see with friends or family. The film is a refreshing exception to a poor fall and summer movie schedule that little worth seeing after mid-July.

Issue 07, Submitted 2000-10-25 00:25:16