OLD DOGS
US, 2009, 88 minutes, Colour.
John Travolta, Robin Williams, Kelly Preston, Connor Rayburn, Ella Bleu Travolta, Lori Loughlin, Seth Green, Bernie Mac, Matt Dillon, Ann- Margret, Rita Wilson.
Directed by Walt Becker.
A checklist of dispositions needed for enjoying Old Dogs:
A very high tolerance level in general,
A very high level for corny comedy,
A fan's attitude to Robin Williams, no matter what he is in (actually, here he has to be both zany and sympathetic),
A fan's attitude to John Travolta who has to be both comic and insensitive, then sensitive,
A liking for heart-on-sleeve tales of children of single mothers who need a father-figure,
Films that show how big business is soul-destroying and undermines family, love and quality time,
Laughing at slapstick and pratfalls, where humans have to be silly or silly for the sake of the children,
Laughing at Seth Green having to sing to survive while being cuddled by a gorilla (spoiler: it's an animatronic gorilla),
Laughing at golf balls and accidents with golf and balls, especially with Seth Green,
Seeing Matt Dillon as a taskmaster scoutmaster,
Attending a funeral for a pet dog,
Enjoying Walt Becker's other films, Van Wilder, Buying the Cow, Wild Hogs. (The sequel plans have been scrapped).
Hoping for compensation with the couple of sequences featuring Ann-Margret?.
1.A star vehicle for John Travolta and Robin Williams? Their different styles, comic abilities, working together?
2.The films of Walt Becker, broad American comedies? The focus on men having to deal with problems, midlife? Parenthood?
3.The New York settings, the city? The world of Vermont and the contrast with New York? The business world and the interiors of the high-rise buildings? Japan?
4.The title, the reference to Charlie and Dan, Charlie’s dog, old age, its death, the funeral?
5.The world of business, sports business, Charlie and Dan and their company, liaisons with the Japanese? Meetings, translations, techniques for deals, jokes and stories, the Japanese response? The Japanese company, developments, robots? The irony of Zach and the computer, answering the Japanese – and their thinking that the company was farsighted? Ralph and his role? Desperate to go to Japan? His failure and disappearance in Japan? The karaoke? The demands on Charlie and Dan to go to Japan? The consequences? The happy ending – and the Japanese supporting family values?
6.The character of Charlie, strong-minded, the leader? Telling the story about Dan and his divorce, going to Florida, the encounter with the girls, the sudden marriage, the annulment? Rescuing him? Dan rather more quiet, the Robin Williams persona? The zany moments? The serious moments? His not wanting Charlie to tell the story? The work for the deal with the Japanese? Their skills?
7.Ralph, the yes-man, ambitious, thanking them for the opportunity, disappearing in Japan? His helping with the meetings with the Japanese, especially on the golf course, the corny jokes about golf balls and hits? His rehabilitation, helping Charlie and Dan, in the zoo, in the arms of the gorilla, singing? Finally on the boat and finding a place with the company?
8.Vicky, her arrival, the revelation about the twins? Her going to prison? Her relying on Jenna? Jenna and her cross-eyes, being a hand model, the injury with the car, hospital? The issue of the kids? Dan taking them on? Charlie’s reaction?
9.Dan, his personality, the story of his divorce, the drinking, the tattoo on his chest, Charlie telling the story to the Japanese? His meeting with Vicky? The tanning – and Charlie charming the attendant and the over-tan? His reaction to the children? His taking them on? The list? The difficulties with the business and looking after the children? Their disappointment? His trying to be the superhero for Emily? Teaching Zach to ride the bike? The difficulties with the computer? The outings, Charlie helping?
10.Charlie, the Japanese, the difficulties with the injection, Dan and his hopelessness at the golf course? Charlie and his grin, Amanda and the grieving group, Martha and the cakes, Charlie eating them, smiling at the grief session?
11.The Japanese ultimatum, Ralph’s failure, their having to go to Japan? Breaking the news to Vicky, her getting out of prison? Her hopes through the phone calls while in prison? Her numberplate and soap character gifts?
12.Dan and his failure in Japan, the notes for the children, the photos on the computer, their return?
13.The birthday party, Dan becoming the hero, landing in the water? The happy reunion?
14.The setting up of the firm, the deals? The boat, the happy family – including Ralph? The photo with Amanda and Charlie together as well?
15.The poor reviews, the sometimes bland, sometimes slapstick, sometimes corny American humour? Sentiment about family values, single parents, the role of the male, the needs of the children, reconciliations?
