MEET THE PARENTS

US, 2000, 108 minutes, Colour.
Robert de Niro, Ben Stiller, Teri Polo, Blythe Danner, Nicole de Huff, Jon Abrahams, Owen Wilson, James Rebhorn, Thomas Mc Carthy.
Directed by Jay Roach.

This comedy recently spent four weeks at the top of the US Box Office chart. Audiences always welcome a comedy. And this one is for adults rather than one of those many geared for teens. Anyone who remembers their first encounter with their in-laws or those who may be anticipating such a meeting, this is the comedy for you. The encounter is a nightmare!

Because that is the simple plot of Meet the Parents. Male Nurse Greg wants to propose to his teacher girlfriend Pam but hears just in time that he first needs her father's permission. Her sister is getting married to an approved highly qualified doctor, so Greg and Pam go on what ought to be an enjoyable two days, but Greg has underestimated her father. Everything (and you will be surprised just how much everything can actually entail) goes wrong - and then some!!

For those who have been following Robert de Niro's career, he is noted for serious roles in serious dramas, comedy not his forte. But in the last two years, he has been appearing in comedies: as the mobster having a nervous breakdown and seeking secret therapy in Analyse This; a cartoonish caricature as Fearless Leader in The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle, as the homophobic cop with a stroke who takes vocal lessons from a drag queen in Flawless and, now, as an ogre father-in-law.

De Niro's comic timing helps the continuous smiles (rather than raucous laughter) during the film. He knows how to menace and he relies on this to intimidate his rather gentle 'nice guy' prospective son-in-law while also dropping clangers and drawing on his CIA experience in getting the truth out of spies.

Ben Stiller is very good undergoing interrogations, humiliations and all kinds of discomfort and accidents during his weekend stay. In 1998's There's Something About Mary, he was made to undergo all kinds of physical mishaps, so audiences know how well he can play the long-suffering victim. (He was also the young Rabbi in the recent Keeping the Faith.) We are invited to identify with him and so we too become the butt of De Niro's barbs. This is why the combination of sharp dialogue, constant misunderstandings, farcical situations and some slapstick comedy works so well. And for those who have had trouble when flying, there are also a lot of jokes at the expense of airlines!

Blythe Danner, who has been in films for decades but who has come into some prominence recently because she is Gwyneth Paltrow's mother, is De Niro's genial wife. Teri Polo is a vigorous fiancee and Owen Wilson has some good smarmy moments as her former fiancee who is a whizz at stocks, a whizz at elaborate carpentry and a born again Christian.

It is interesting to note that this film and What Lies Beneath (reviewed some months ago) have been box-office bonanzas, a reminder to movie makers that older audiences appreciate solid dramas and comedies - and hope for more.

1. The popularity of the film? Top comedy of 2000? Marriage jokes, in-law jokes, meet the parents jokes?

2. The background of city life, the details of work in the hospital, Greg as a male nurse? The contrast with the in-laws’ house? The various rooms, Jack Byrnes’ various devices? The musical score?

3. Audience expectations: comedy, the cast?

4. The audience on-side with Greg, his being with the patients, the reaction of the patients, especially to his not being a doctor? His being a nurse? The status of male nurses – and people considering them less? His relationship with Pam, the proposal, the preparation? The phone call? The background of Deborah and Doctor Banks and their getting her father’s permission? The phone call and the expectations for Greg to get permission? His change of heart? His decision to meet the parents? The characters, the comic and the straight man, serious? Greg as accident-prone – and the various situations to capitalise on this? The contrast with Pam, being ordinary, at work, nice?

5. At the airport, the losing of the packages, the luggage, the flight? Greg and his arguments, security, accident-prone?

6. Meeting the parents, Jack and Dinah? Jack and his type, severe? Dinah and her being friendly? The gift of the flowers – and Jack’s reaction, not interested? The puzzle, especially because of his occupation with rare flowers?

7. Robert de Niro as Jack Byrnes, screen presence, seriousness, a character without humour? The flowers, his accepting them? His serious attitude towards his daughters? His devotion to his daughters, spoiling Pam? Deborah and the preparations for the marriage? The visit of the Banks’ in-laws? The meals, awkwardness for Greg? The preparation for the marriage? Jack and his checking on Greg, the jokes about surveillance, the machinery for surveillance and the technology? The Ouzo and the accident? Jack and his attitude towards sex, his indication that he was keeping his eyes on Greg? His going to the supermarket, Greg seeing the deal? Greg’s interpretation?

8. The family in the house, the tension of the meals, the room, Greg and his moving around the house, his snooping, Jack and his surveillance? His taking him in, the experience of the lie detector? Greg’s test?

9. The episode with the cat, the well-trained cat, going to the toilet, the disappearance of the cat, trying to get a substitute cat? His lies?

10. Kevin, his ominous presence, the past relationship with Pam? His house, his success, his being present at the wedding?

11. Greg, the accidents, the havoc and the destruction, the electric lights, the fire, the sewage, the cat? His swimming and the accident to his eye?

12. The episode with the cat, the new cat, the disguise, the neighbours and their concern, the reappearance of the old cat? His being unmasked?

13. The wedding, the celebration, Kevin being the minister?

14. Dinah and her kindness, friendliness towards Jack, concern for Pam? Persuading Jack to be more agreeable? Greg and the camera? The final humorous taunts to Jack at the end?

15. How well delineated the characters, ordinary parents, serious, the touch of the caricature, real issues? Deborah and her fiancé and his family? The other neighbourhoods?

16. The visual humour, the verbal humour, the combination of farce with heightened reality? Open for a sequel?