|
THE IN-LAWS Send This Review to a Friend
We're on the remake trail again, this time with a new version of "The In-Laws," in its 1979 original a charming, daffy comedy about an innocent bystander dentist thrust into the mad, dangerous adventures of a crazy guy who may or not be a C.I.A. operartive. The remake has the not unfamiliar problem of hyper crassness in tune with what today's public is presumed to want.
In the older film the mild-mannered dentist was played by Alan Arkin and the over-the-top father of the groom to whom the dentist is marrying off his daughter was played by Peter Falk. With Andrew Bergman's screenplay and Arthur Hiller's direction, the result had wit, whimsy and originality even though the ultimate adventures in a banana republic country got a bit much before the romp was over.
This time the beleaguered soul is Albert Brooks as a podiatrist, with Michael Douglas as the man of action, legitimate or otherwise. With Brooks there is bound to be at least some laughs. Douglas is no Falk, but the manic energy he provides has its points at times. The film's manic energy is another matter. It descends into heavy-handed escapades with a large dose of physical confrontations, slapstick and, except for the odd moment or gag, the sort of nonsense that is bereft of style or comic intelligence. Candice Bergen turns up as the father of the groom's angry ex-wife, a part that's a come-down for her even though she plays it gamely. Douglas huffs and puffs through his outlandish role.
This version has been scripted by Nat Mauldin and Ed Solomon, based on Andrew Bergman's original, with Andrew Flemming directing. Perhaps if one hasn't seen the previous film it could be easier to enjoy this one on some level. But once having been a fan of Arkin, Falk and Richard Libertini as a Latin American honcho, it is difficult to see the present incarnation without wincing at the dumbing down that has taken place. A Warner Brothers release.
|