World's Greatest Dad

Starring: Robin Williams, Daryl Sabara, Morgan Murphy, Naomi Glick, Alexie Gilmore, Zach Sanchez
Directed by: Bobcat Goldthwait
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy, Drama
2006

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: A single dad (Robin Williams) suffers through a family tragedy.

Review:

Tim: I can't believe how much I disliked World's Greatest Dad. I was surprised because it got fairly good reviews. I found in disgusting, completely unenjoyable, and overall, a big waste of my time. The biggest problem is that there isn't one single likable character in the entire film. I've made that complaint before, but this movie takes it to a whole new level. I don't recall the last movie I watched where I so thoroughly despised every character on screen. There was no one to care about and no one to root for in the whole film. That created the lack of enjoyment that pervaded every moment of the film.

We have a collection of selfish, stupid, annoying characters in this film. I suppose you could make the case that director Bobcat Goldthwait's script depicts people in a realistic light, but that makes me so sad and depressed about humanity that I simply can't even think about that. I honestly believe people are better than the ones depicted here. Robin Williams gives a good performance, I suppose. I so disliked his character that it was hard for me to like him. The rest of the cast gives good performances, but none of them are good enough to make this movie fun or likable.

I'm not trying to suggest that every movie needs to be overly entertaining. I would have appreciated this movie if it taught a real lesson or had some powerful commentary on life. It does not, though. I know one of the main points of the script is to comment on how many people twist the events and their own feelings after someone dies. For example, a guy you might not like at all dies, and all of a sudden, you say, "He was such a great guy." I really dislike people who do this. If you disliked a guy in life, don't pretend you didn't in death. This movie takes that idea to the extreme. We get it, and yet, the script hammers it over our heads again and again and again. It was exhausting to watch.

It would have helped if the movie had offered a strong story. Sadly, it is about as boring and bad as it gets. The events of the film are blown out of proportion and taken to such extremes that the movie just comes across and silly and unrealistic. This film was depressing and a chore to get through. That is not a good combination.

I suppose I give this movie credit for being made in the first place. There's some shocking moments and dialogue in the film, and I appreciate the movie pushing the limits of what we expect in a movie. Unfortunately, there was just so very little to like in this movie. Robin Williams was good, but the movie is very, very bad. I rarely say this, but World's Greatest Dad (it's funny cause it's not true!) is a movie I never want to see again.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 4



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