Judy Thorburn's Movie Reviews
Meet The Fockers
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- Category: Judy Thorburn
- Published on 24 November 2008
- Written by Judy Thorburn
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“MEET THE FOCKERS” – RELATIVE-LY FUNNY!
A couple of years ago, audiences laughed out loud when Ben Stiller had to “Meet the Parents” of his schoolteacher fiancée, Pam. The main focus was on Stiller as Greg Focker, and what he had to put up with, including a lie detector test, dinner table interrogations, and other humorous shenanigans from Pam’s pop, ex-CIA agent Jack, in order to be accepted into his sweetheart’s family. The movie was such a hit that, not surprisingly, it laid the groundwork for a sequel. Be that as it may, it’s time for nurse by trade, Gaylord “Greg” Focker (Stiller), to introduce his parents into the about-to-be, new family mix, so they can plan the wedding. You can just imagine what happens when Pam’s gentile mom and dad, straitlaced, Jack (Robert De Niro) and soft spoken wife, Dina (Blythe Danner) come face to face with Greg’s unconventional free spirited, hippie Jewish parents, retired lawyer, Bernie (Dustin Hoffman) and his sex therapist/author wife, Roz (Barbra Streisand).
The comedy gets rolling with the sight of the transportation method used for the trip to meet the future in laws. For Jack, the only way to travel is in the driver’s seat of his humongous, state of the art, climate controlled bus, for his clan’s road trip to the Focker’s home in Florida. Along for the ride are Pam’s adorable scene stealing, new nephew Little Jack, who is too young to talk, but knows how to use sign language, which comes in handy and often amusing, and the family cat, Mr. Jinx, who, if you recall, added some very funny sight gags last time and continues to be a device for humor. Some of the funniest scenes involve the cat. He knows how to use the bathroom and winds up flushing the Focker’s tiny mutt, Moses, down the toilet. There is no way to keep a straight face after seeing Mr. Jinx walk out of the bathroom with some toilet paper hanging from his rear. And, if outrageous animal visuals get you going, then you’ll enjoy Moses, the ever-horny dog that humps anything in his path.
Meet the Fockers, of course, revolves around the culture clash that occurs when two very different sets of parents meet and butt heads in every way. But, some more conflict is thrown in when we meet the Focker’s sexy, Latina former housekeeper, Isabel (Alanna Ubach) whose son bears a strong resemblance to Greg. This works at giving the always-suspicious Jack another chance to find fault with Greg and cause for additional foolish behavior.
The Byrnes and Fockers couldn’t be more opposite. Roz (Steisand) author of books such as “Is Your Vagina Happy”, teaches sex therapy classes to the elderly, and speaks candidly about everything, including Greg’s circumcision, to the embarrassment of her only child. About everything the Focker parents do leaves mom and pop Byrnes in shock. While Jack and Nina lack a steamy sex life, the Fockers are an openly affectionate, touchy feely couple happy to display their emotions in public, which at first couldn’t be more distasteful to the visiting Mr. And Mrs. Byrnes. DeNiro once again displays such a knack for comedy. Those great facial expressions are funny enough. The classy Danner doesn’t get much to do other than watch the antics unfold. Same for the usually pretty Polo, who looks unattractive in that hairdo. Bangs do NOT work for her, for sure!
And, Barbra and Dustin are a hilarious perfect match as Stiller’s quirky, offbeat mom and pop. They play folks who don’t see a problem in calling their heterosexual son by a nickname, Gay, shortened from his birth name Gaylord, which is off the wall, by itself. In fact, expect plenty of comic opportunities for the Focker name to come into play.
Meet the Fockers has a good cast that appears to be having a great time. If you thought Meet the Parents was a hoot, the sequel is more of the same. This visit isn’t as funny, but it supplies enough humor to tickle your ribs. I’d recommend it as a satisfying comedy we can all RELATE to in one way or another.