“World's Greatest Dad”. It's usually something some men have on a coffee mug or t-shirt given to them as a birthday, Father's Day, or Christmas gift and is usually given by a family to show their appreciation for the man of the house or usually given to someone who is a horrible father and the gift is therefore a gag. Well whatever way you see the gift as doesn't matter here as that famous saying on a coffee mug or t-shirt is the name of the new film I am reviewing for you today.



Lance Clayton (Robin Williams) is a high school poetry teacher in Seattle, Washington and is having a few problems. His poetry class isn't going very well and on the verge of being shut down, he's in a relationship with fellow teacher Claire (Alexie Gilmore) that they keep secret from the other teachers and it seems she might be interested in another teacher at the school (Henry Simmons), every novel and magazine article he's written has never gotten published, and he has possibly the worst son ever in Kyle (Daryl Sabara) who just hates everything, everybody (except his only friend Andrew), and only love beating off to porn all day. Now there is a big twist that comes about half way into the film I can't reveal cause I'd spoil it but I can tell you it sets Lance up for an opportunity to finally become published.



Now this movie is in select theaters right now but I was just fortunate enough to catch a sneak preview of the film that aired on HDNet Movies last night.

This movie is funny as hell and the best black comedy in a while and is also one my favorite movies of this year. This debuted earlier this year at the Sundance Film Festival and was a big hit there. This film is written and directed by Bobcat Goldthwait and he did a great job here on both sides. The script is funny, dark, dramatic, and just great as it shows pretty much everyone's quest for love, meaning, and infamy. He did a pretty damn good job directing too and I thought is was a good effort. Robin Williams here does one his best performances ever and I think at least worthy of an Oscar nomination for this. He is brilliant, tragic, and funny all at the same time. Alexie Gilmore does a very good job here as Lance's girlfriend Claire who is he school's art teacher. She's sweet, funny, and charismatic. She does get in some very good laughs here and I look forward to seeing more of her work. Another performance worth mention is Daryl Sabara as Kyle. You hate him. You hate this kid right off the bat when the film opens but he Sabara does it so well. He definitely is funny and I enjoyed the scene of him and Williams driving to school together. Now when that twist I mentioned in the film comes, it comes out of nowhere. It changes the course of the movie in a way and yet it still manages to remain funny as hell.

This film is great. Dark, funny, and weird. I loved every minute and urge you all to go and see this how ever you can. This will possibly stick around for my year end top 10 list.

RATING:
Full Price