Even his first name is up for grabs as it is really not Greg Focker, but Gaylord Focker. There is even more in Greg s way Owen Wilson shows up as Pam s Ex-fianc e, Kevin Rawley. Jack has bonded with Kevin ever since Pam broke off the engagement. The comic timing between De Niro and Stiller is crucial for the film s success. There are plenty of sight gags and lots of over the top humor in the film.
Timing is why good well written comedies work.
This work for the same reason. The failure of the recent Me, Myself And Irene shows you need more than potty jokes to make a comedy flow. The Parents works because it has a first rate cast, a well done script by Jim Herzfeld and John Hamburg, and Jay Roach s direction. The real treat is just watching De Niro and Stiller interact with each other. The film pushes the envelope just enough, but it never gets too mean spirited to tune out the audience.