inkblot11 Review of Fathers' Day

Fathers' Day (1997)

Have Fun with the Fathers! The stars make the film enjoyable

[7/10 · 6 April 2016]

Jack (Billy Crystal) is a very successful attorney in Sacramento. He has the perfect wife (Julia Louis Dreyfus), the perfect car, a jag, and the perfect clothes, plus a staff to aid him at every turn. On the other hand, Dale (Robin Williams), is a writer on the verge of suicide in Berkeley (how ironic and sad). He is scruffy and emotionally unstable. BOTH of these gentlemen get hit hard when an old girlfriend, Colette (Nastassja Kinski) calls to tell each of them, separately, that they are the father to her seventeen year old son, who has run away. She implores them to help her find him. The last lead is that he is following a popular rock band on the road with his galpal. Taking off, the two gents arrive at a concert with a picture of the same boy. Bonding quickly as duo-papas, they rescue their son Scott from a drunken slumber and take him back to their hotel. Yet, when Jack is called away on business, Scott tricks Dale and splits. Meanwhile, the father who raised Scott (Bruce Greenwood) has the misadventure of a lifetime with a flat tire, a port-a-potty, and a garage in the sticks. Now, the search is on again, this time to Reno. Will this trio of males find out who is the real father? Will they all rescue Scott before major damage can be done? This is a fun film, thanks to the stars. Yes, the plot is on the silly side but Crystal and Williams are a pairing in dreamland. While Billy deadpans one great line after another, Williams goes on a rock stage and performs a sixties dance number that is side-splitting, among other hilarious hijinks. What fun! The supporting cast is very fine, too, as are the costumes, amusing script and energetic direction. Most of all, the settings in California and Nevada are just terrific; what beautiful scenery! As a latecomer to this funny flick, I say don't YOU make the same mistake! Try to get Fathers' Day for the third Sunday in June. Now, that's a stunning idea!