The In-Laws

Review by Clint Morris

If there are two types of films Hollywood seems interested in making at the moment they're the parents-from-hell movie and remake, respectively.

The first, thanks to the success of the smash hit Meet the Parents. And the remake, well, simply because they're there to be remade - there definitely doesn't seem to be any shortage of old films to retool at the moment.

The latest piece of cinematic history to get the overhaul is The In-Laws. But like, say, the recent Italian Job remake, the new film credits itself as merely being 'inspired' by the original, rather than a remake, and fittingly so since it's essentially thrown the plot of the original out the window.

Back to the 'parents from hell' template that seems all the rage at the moment, and that comes in the form of Steve Tobias [Michael Douglas], a "slick bastard" C.I.A Agent, who, for the sake of his soon-to-be-wed son [Ryan Reynolds] provisionally takes on the guise of a Xerox salesman.

Unfortunately, the bride's neurotic father, foot surgeon Jerry Peyser [Albert Brooks] stumbles in on Tobias mid-way through a top-secret meeting.

From here on in, he's roped into the action - giving the audacious Steve an unwilling sidekick and him, another reason to buy stocks in Aspirin.

But not for a minute do either Dad's forget that they're supposed to front up for a wedding that weekend.

Director Andrew Fleming [Dick, The Craft] hasn't gone out of his way to make an overtly entertaining comedy. A lot of the jokes are stale, the production values minimal, and script - almost non-existent.

If you remember the mediocre sequel to The Odd Couple, the one where Lemmon and Matthau head to their respective children's wedding and get embroiled in a web of trouble along the way, that's essentially what you get here. You're entertained, but not to the point where you'll need a change of underwear.

But having said that, there's still some icing sugar on top of this crusty sponge that tastes quite good - Michael Douglas is riotously funny as the charming, slick Steve. Coupling him with Albert Brooks sounds like a much better idea than it is - Brooks becomes a little annoying thanks to some unwelcome over-acting - but Douglas's enthusiastic, droll turn rids of those injustices pretty swiftly.

In addition, and though he's got a much smaller part, Ryan Reynolds again proves what great comic timing he's got with his second fiddle (but memorable) part of the fiancée. And in a wild but apposite way, the film's retro soundtrack also plays a welcome part.

The In-Laws feels a little fusty, and for a large part, is, but on the other end, it's also fun for anyone up for something slow on the uptake and placidly amusing.

The In-Laws won't be here for long, but while they are visiting you shouldn't find too much need to find fault, it is in all probability better than American Pie: the Wedding or Legally Blonde 2 - being a much better-rounded, and more amusing film than the current chart toppers.

3 out of 5

The In-Laws
Australian release: Thursday August 28th
Cast: Michael Douglas, Albert Brooks, Ryan Reynolds, Lindsay Sloane, David Suchet, Robin Tunney, Candice Bergen.
Director: Andrew Fleming.
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