I'll be honest: I happened upon this film while looking up Robin Williams, and I saw it because he was in it. "A critically-acclaimed film?! By Robin Williams?! Since when? 1986? Ooh, and it sounds interesting." It's a weird thing I have: I find an actor I like, avoid everything they do that's supposed to suck (hey--it usually does!), and try to check out stuff of theirs I hear good things about. On a related note, I've listened to Eminem's first three albums--ONLY his first three albums--and am considering picking up his newest album, because the first single is cool and he admits that his last album wasn't that great in it. Thankfully, I was certainly right about this film being interesting.
Directed by Bobcat Goldthwait (an actor from Police Academy), World's Greatest Dad is a black comedy starring Williams as Lance Clayton, a washed-up writer who wanted to be big and famous so he could help people through the hardships of life--and get money and women, natch. However, nothing he made ever got published (except for a few greeting cards), and he became a high-school poetry teacher instead. But that, like just about everything else in his life, isn't going well, either. His girlfriend Claire (Alexie Gilmore) won't publicly acknowledge their relationship, and seems to be spending a lot of time with the much-more-successful Creative Writing teacher, Mike (Henry Simmons).
I need a whole new paragraph to address Lance's son, Kyle, memorably played by Daryl Sabara. Kyle doesn't like music--any music--claiming that it's "for fags". He doesn't like film, either--that's for "art-fags". He's pushed around at school, but he's very standoffish and certainly isn't trying to be liked. His only friend is Andrew (Evan Martin), and considering how different and respectful he is, it's possible the two hang out from a mutual desire to be away from Andrew's alcoholic mom. Really, the greatest depth in Kyle's character comes from his diverse and often-bizzare interest in porn and masturbation. It's really the only thing he treats with respect--he doesn't even have a real-world girlfriend, nor, it seems, has he ever--and he spends his time talking about vaginas, and the things he would do with them. After getting into a fight at school, the principal says Kyle will be transferred to a special-needs school if his grades don't pick up. Lance calls his son a douchebag at one point in the film, but that really doesn't do it justice. I turned to mom at one point and said "Well, if he isn't just the most dislikeable character I've ever seen..." Selfish, twisted, and apparently untalented, watching a scene with Kyle is a wince-filled experience.
This all serves to make the film's twist even more shocking--and amusing. I won't spoil it for you--check the internet, if you must know--but something happens making it possible for Lance to attain everything he's ever wanted. His writing becomes famous, beloved, and helpful; he becomes closer to his girlfriend (more sex! Ditching the other guy!); and his son becomes popular and well-liked for the first time. All Lance has to do is deal with how he gets it all.
The film is a shocking, memorable look at a disfunctional family, one person's desire for fame, and the effect it can have on one's personal relationships. The film is often funny, powerful and eyebrow-raising, often in the same scene. This is one of those independent films that gets released every year to some acclaim and falls under the radar. Thank goodness Robin Williams had the good taste to star in this one, as it's a dark, risky and truly memorable film. It comes recommended to you all, and I'm glad I have a blog with which to share things I find like this.
Hopefully, Eminem will star in some future hidden gems, too.
