(Reviewed by our Guest Critic, The Movie Knight) Ned Fleming (Bryan Cranston) was having a wonderful 55th birthday party. He had all his friends and family gathered and even got a surprise video chat visit from his daughter, Stephanie (Zoey Deutch) who is off studying at StamfordUniversity. That’s also when he discovers Stephanie’s new boyfriend, Laird (James Franco) when Ned and all the party guests get a good look at Laird’s rear end.
Now that the cat is out of the bag, Stephanie invites the family to spend the Christmas holiday with her so they can get to know Laird. It doesn’t take Ned long to disapprove when he sees Laird has gotten the family Christmas card tattooed on his back, the man has no filter on his mouth and quickly proves to be a master at creating awkward moments with the family, like when he describes having sex with his daughter. Laird also shares with Ned that he wants to marry Stephanie, too. Laird is an internet millionaire, that is the last things he wants for his daughter.
This time of year most of the movies being released are either up for award consideration or are family films. However, there is usually one R rated comedy that gets released too to give movie goers one other choice. These movies typically deploy more risqué humor and language. That is certainly the case here as there are literal toilet jokes and the movie drops enough F-bombs that it could give The Wolf of Wall Street a run for its money in that category.
This movie certainly earns an E for effort when it comes to trying to tell its jokes. Some of them will play better with members of the audience than others and even though many of them barely earn a chuckle, they keep on trying. There is charm to that one can appreciate and the movie does have some heart to it, too. Much like Laird’s character, it means well.
Brayan Cranston is better known for his dramatic work these days, but fans of his will remember his work on Malcolm in the Middle and know he has been a strong comedic actor for a long time and he gets to exercise those muscles here. James Franco has been doing comedies like this for a while and he is completely in his element.
2 Tiaras.