Meet the Pickrens

Rating: 7/10 (20 November 2005)

Didn't really think this would be any good, but I was pleasantly surprised when I watched it on cable the other night. The best part of the movie for me was the appearance of Little Jack, played by the Pickren twins, Spencer and Bradley, who have been doing the signing language since they were weeks old. Their mother, Wendy, was a pediatric occupational therapist, and she had been teaching it to them; by the time they were 11 months old, she writes at their official website, pickren twins dot com, they were already communicating with her in this way. So what you see in the film is genuine.
What I loved even more than the signing (and their incredibly astute reactions throughout the film) is when Stiller's character inadvertently teaches Little Jack the 'A' word - to hear the kid saying it during the rest of the movie is absolutely hilarious; the film is worth seeing for this alone. Streisand and Hoffman are also high points, with their very specific characterizations. All in all, a very funny and worthwhile sequel. And educational, to boot.