Once Is Not Enough

Rating: Null/10 (25 November 2000)

There is a scene in "Meet the Parents" that is almost perfect. The main character, played by Ben Stiller, is waiting to board an airplane. He is forced to wait until his row is called, although it is obvious that there is no one else waiting to get on the plane. The one scene perfectly conveys the anger that has been building in Stiller's character throughout the film while winking knowingly at the frustration all of us feel in similar situations. Unfortunately, the scene takes place at the end of the film, and it's the only one of its type.
If you've seen the previews for "Meet the Parents" you've seen the film. Stiller's fiance, played by Teri Polo, takes him home to meet her parents, played by Robert De Niro and Blythe Danner. This turns into a trip from hell. There are some funny scenes, but most of the characters are not fleshed out and much of what takes place is predictable. My guess is a director such as Harold Ramis would have done a better job than Jay Roach.
Much has been said about De Niro's comic performance as the father, but he's not nearly as good as he was in "Analyze This," perhaps because he was playing against type in the latter. Blythe Danner is still beautiful, but is given little to do as De Niro's wife. Polo barely registers as the fiance.
What makes the film passable is Stiller. He wants to please De Niro, but senses that things are rapidly deteriorating. But he comes across as so sincere we almost ignore the fact that he has brought much of the trouble upon himself by exaggering his background.
One final complaint: The flim ends with a type of flashback. Bad move. It should have ended with a preview of the obvious plot for the sequel--De Niro must now meet Stiller's parents.