No matter how many are released and forgotten, the road trip comedy remains a staple of American cinema, as people indulge in the crazy antics of a journey laced with hijinks and misunderstandings. The latest entry in the genre, FATHER FIGURES, finds Ed Helms and Owen Wilson play brothers traveling across the country in hopes of finding their true father after their mother (Glenn Close) admits it could be any one of several men. Shenanigans ensue, personalities are challenged and bonds are formed. Did I mention one brother is whacky and the other is straight-laced?
The movie also stars J.K. Simmons, Christopher Walken, Ving Rhames, Terry Bradshaw, June Squibb, and Harry Shearer, and is directed by Lawrence Sher with a script from Justin Malen (OFFICE CHRISTMAS PARTY). I can’t imagine the movie will be able to stand out when it comes out December 22, as the trailer doesn’t look all that funny and the film itself seems all too familiar. There are the laid back, cool guy and a shirt-tucking nerd who needs to get laid both going through a series of crazy scenarios, with the big jokes all having to do with how good at sex Glenn Close was. I think that's just more informative than funny.
FATHER FIGURES arrives December 22.
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