Film review: Little Fockers

Directed by: Paul Weitz

Starring: Ben Stiller, Robert De Niro, Owen Wilson, Dustin Hoffman, Barbra Streisand, Harvey Keitel, Blythe Danner, Teri Polo, Jessica Alba

On at: Cinema City Cotroceni, Cinema City Sun Plaza, Cityplex, Hollywood Multiplex, Movieplex Cinema Plaza

When Meet the Parents came out ten years ago, the only one in the series lacking the quite conspicuous “Fockers” pun, audiences probably thought that it would be a one-time and memorable comedy. But this is Hollywood after all and if a story sells, its sequels should too, if properly turned into a franchise that boasts first-class actors.

The ever-so-serious De Niro, so often portraying a damaged mobster or neurotic character, is always fun to watch in a comedic part, usually mocking his previous consecrated roles, as was the case in Analyze This (and, of course, its sequel Analyze That), as well as Showtime. Now, as the Meet the Parents undercover CIA agent assuming the part of a family-driven and calm florist, he is utterly hilarious. Later, as his cover is revealed, the character unfortunately becomes quite predictable…

So, it seemed only natural that after meeting Greg’s future in-laws, his wife Pam should go through the same ordeal (in the first sequel, Meet the Fockers, 2004) and later on, since the two had got married, their children should be the next in line to make another blockbuster’s subject. Now, we have a much more career-oriented Greg Focker, slowly climbing the corporate ladder, who, besides being a good provider for his wife and two children, also has to live up to the responsibilities of his father-in-law’s decision to make him the new Godfocker (pun and Godfather allusion intended). For some guaranteed laughs, some clichés are also added to the recipe. So, in the most recent Focker films, prepare for some hair-raising and quite ludicrous medical moments involving Stiller and De Niro’s characters, to which, in the “sex sells” part, a perky and passive-aggressive Jessica Alba parading her perfect 10 half-naked body is added.

All in all and in spite of a quite weak storyline, De Niro, Dustin Hoffman, Barbra Streisand, Blythe Danner, Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson definitely make a line-up worth spending an evening or weekend afternoon with. Basically, one cannot fail when putting together such great actors. The question that remains, however, is what will the next Fockers’ series be all about? Or will the major Hollywood producers finally leave some room to the imagination?

Corina Dumitrescu