Oh, how the mighty have fallen. I can't figure it out, but it always seems to happen... our favorite comedic actors... after years and years of making us laugh and love them always seem to make a gradual shift to unfunny. It doesn't matter who the actor is, it always happens. Just look at the biggest names in comedy-- Eddie Murphy was the hottest comic of the 80s... and then eventually he made Norbit. Jim Carrey, Adam Sandler, Steve Martin, Will Ferrell, Mike Myers, Vince Vaughn, Ben Stiller... the list goes on and on. Eventually, they just stop making movies that are guaranteed funny based solely on their name being attached. This is probably because comedy is a continuously evolving phenomenon, but it's still disheartening to be let down by some of your favorite comedic actors. Even just ten years ago, Owen Wilson in a buddy comedy would be solid gold. Ed Helms was one of your favorite characters on The Office. And the plot for Father Figures sounds just ripe for comedy. Yet... it's just an exercise in mediocrity and another window for us to view one of our favorite comedic actors fall a little bit further from the funny tree.
Let me preface by stating that I didn't hate Father Figures. It's really a harmless movie that shouldn't really anger anyone, but it also won't make you laugh very often. And it's strange because there were so many missed opportunities for humor, it's almost like no one had their heart in it. The film, which was originally titled Bastards, is nearly two years old, having been pushed back a few times by the studio (I'm assuming due to poor test screenings). It tells the story of twin brothers Peter (Helms) and Kyle (Wilson) Reynolds finding out that the story their mother (Glenn Close) has told them about their deceased father their entire life was a lie. She wasn't entirely sure who their father was, but knew none of the candidates were fit enough to raise them. So, they decide to take a road trip to interview and meet the men who could be their fathers. First up is Terry Bradshaw (played by Terry Bradshaw), then a low-life thief Roland (JK Simmons), and a quirky veterinarian (Christopher Walken). Along the way they pick up a hitchhiker (Katt Williams - this is how you know the movie is old... when was the last time Katt Williams was relevant?) and learn to appreciate one another once again.
As I've mentioned, the movie isn't terrible, and I by no means despised it. It's kind of fun watching them meet the different people they believe is their father, finding the similarities between them and then witnessing the vast differences. But the scenario keeps repeating and none of them are any funnier than the last. There's moments in each that illicit a chuckle or two, but nothing here that's worthy of my time and money, especially in a theater (once again, thank you Movie Pass). I believe had the film been in more capable hands, we would've been gifted a funnier film. Owen Wilson doesn't seem to be giving it his all. And Ed Helms seems to be trying too hard. Their chemistry works in certain scenes, but I never really bought that they were brothers. All I kept thinking was how much better and funnier a movie it could've been if Vince Vaughn was Helms' character. There didn't seem to be much room for improvisation, but how angry Peter is and how resentful he is of Kyle, this would have set up multiple opportunities for a nice Vince Vaughn rant. Instead, what we got were fleeting moments of comedy leading to exposition until the next brief chuckle. The other actors in the film do lend to the fun of the film. Particularly the part of Terry Bradshaw, who somehow makes everything funnier just by being Terry Bradshaw.
It comes as no surprise that the movie is this unexceptional. It was written by Justin Malen whose only other produced work is the just as unbelievably mediocre Office Christmas Party. Both of these films have a high enough concept to draw a crowd, but such an inferior execution that neither of them are going to stick with people. In fact, I forgot nearly everything about Office Christmas Party and started watching it again about a week ago. Halfway through I remembered why I didn't remember anything-- because there's nothing funny enough to remember. This is exactly how I felt about Father Figures. It's a good enough distraction from the real world, it'll give you a handful of light chuckles, and it'll send you on your way. Therefore, I highly suggest waiting until Redbox or Netflix for this film (or if you're cool like I am, you can use your Movie Pass). It's certainly not worth the price of admission. No one is going to walk out hating the movie, but nearly everyone is going to walk out feeling underwhelmed. It's a shame because the cast is good, the story is fun, but the execution just isn't there.
C
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