for anyone who's ever had to meet in-laws

Rating: 9/10 (6 June 2005)

We all know that meeting one's future in-laws can be an unpleasant experience, but none can be more unpleasant than what Greg Focker (Ben Stiller) and Pam Byrnes (Teri Polo) go through. Planning to get married, they go to meet Pam's parents Jack (Robert DeNiro) and Dina (Blythe Danner). Maybe it's the R-rated connotation inherent in Greg's surname, or maybe it's Jack's status as a CIA agent, but Greg and Jack do not hit it off. Somehow, Greg causes a series of accidents, and it all leads Jack to consider Greg unworthy for his daughter.
The whole movie is pretty silly, but at the same time, all so true. One can understand that Jack wants to protect his daughter, but a lie detector test? And just what about Mr. Jinx? What is with that cat? No matter, the movie never gets so ridiculous to the point where you roll your eyes. It's nice brainless fun, but it's nice brainless fun that accurately reflects the world that we inhabit. Oh, and Greg is Jewish while Pam's family is a bunch of WASPs, so you know what that means.