Off The Marquee

Worlds Greatest Dad (2009)

Lance Clayton (Robin Williams) is a poetry teacher who cannot connect with his son on any level. And for good reason. Although he displays no openly nefarious characteristics, his son Kyle (Daryl Sabara) is devoid of any likable personality. Kyle is a relentless sexist. But in his defense, all he really wants is to be left alone in his pursuits of ogling women and masturbating (the only hobby he displays any interest in). Lance humors Kyle as much as he can, but seems resigned to ride this phase out and hope for a better future. Sabara strikes a masterful balance with his unlikable character playing Kyle for no sympathy. There are no contrived apologies between Kyle and Lance and no barn burning flare-ups that are typical in dysfunctional family movies. Williams reminds us he can be funny without the cavorting, cocaine humor that has inexplicably translated into terrible mainstream movies. Lance is sarcastic, defeated, and most importantly, likable. Williams is truly reborn in this role.

To reveal much more about the story would ruin the experience of seeing it. It is not so much that it is hard to figure out what is going on while you are watching it; I am not trying to imply that there is a twist ending or a rollercoaster of turns. World’s Greatest Dad is an interesting story operating on a crass premise. Bobcat Goldthwait deserves much praise for expounding on his unique brand of comedy. Shakes the Clown has a bit of a cult following for being loud and tasteless containing loads of gross out jokes, shouting, and pratfalls. I enjoy Shakes for what it is and have always considered Goldthwait to be a master of tasteless humor. But he has really expanded his horizons without abandoning his personality.

A few reviews have complained that the movie wraps a bit too neatly. I would concede that point except to say that the real fun for me was not so much how this strange story ends, but how my sympathies for Lance changed frequently as the movie progressed. Lance’s house of cards never seems in any real danger of falling on its own. Since the film refuses to impose a moral judgment by offering consequences for his actions, it’s left up to Lance as to whether or not to do the right thing. Perhaps I was snake charmed, but there are worse things to give into than World’s Greatest Dad.

New Sound System in the main theater of  The Loft.
I recently heard that The Loft had put a new sound system in the main theater. It became apparent to me during an extended scene in World’s Greatest Dad involving Queen’s “Under Pressure.” The new system really sounds awesome and casual screen dialogue came across really clearly. I hate big mutiplex theaters, but there is something to be said for hearing dialogue and not having to think about what was just said. (It happens as you get older.) I never had a problem with the sound in the main theater at The Loft before, but there is no doubt that the new sound system is bangin’. The new system is just in time for upcoming screenings of Albert Maysles films so Tucson can take advantage of the new system for the sake of the music in Gimmie Shelter and for the sake of understanding what the hell they are saying in Grey Gardens.

World’s Greatest Dad is playing all week at The Loft:
The Loft Cinema
3233 E. Speedway Blvd. Tucson, AZ
www.loftcinema.com

Off the Marquee is a forum for reviewing and promoting overlooked classics, cult movie screenings, second-run viewing opportunities, and independent film. If you have anything in that vein you would like to share or promote, I would be psyched to hear about it.
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