World's Greatest Dad
Tags: comedy, depressing, adult comedy, absurd, satire, plot twist

Plot synopsis:
Lance Clayton (Robin Williams) is an aspiring writer that has never gotten any of his works published so he settles for working as a poetry teacher at the school his son, Kyle (Darly Sabara), attends. One morning Lance walks into his son's room to find him masturbating and practicing autoerotic asphyxiation. Lance thinks he is dead but Kyle just tells him he's fine and to leave the room. On the car ride to school Lance unsuccessfully tries to bond with Kyle, who repeatedly calls him and the music Lance likes a "fag".While walking through school Lance bumps into a fellow teacher, Claire (Alexie Gilmore), whom he is dating.In the hallway at school, Kyle shows his friend, Andrew (Evan Martin), some European porn but Andrew finds it disgusting. As an attractive girl, Jennifer (Ellie Jameson) walks by, Kyle makes a sexual remark which causes him to get into a fight with another boy nearby. They all get called into the principal's office where the principal (Geoff Pierson) advises Lance to that Kyle should transfer "special needs" school.Lance finds out Mike (Henry Simmons), one of his colleagues, has published an article on a famous magazine. Lance tries to look happy for him, but can't help but feel a bit jealous as he notices Claire taking an interest in Mike.When Lance gets home he finds Andrew on the computer and asks Kyle to send him home. Kyle says he can't because Andrew's mom is an alcoholic. Lance decides to let him stay. Lance calls Claire while getting ready to go to her house for dinner like they had planned, but Claire cancels on him.Lance spots Claire and Mike having a couple of laughs at the school parking lot so Lance asks Claire if she likes Mike. Claire storms off angry but later makes up with Lance. Later that night Claire cancels yet another date so Lance settles with smoking pot for the night.The next day, while Lance and Kyle are at the mall they spot Claire with Mike. Kyle ditches Lance and decides to go home with Andrew to plug in the new computer screen Lance just bought him. That night, Lance, Kyle, and Claire go out to a fancy restaurant for dinner. While they are eating Kyle secretly takes a picture of Claire's underwear with his cell phone from under the table.After dinner, Lance drops off Kyle first and then drops off Claire but refuses her offer to have sex. When Lance gets back home he discovers that Kyle has died as a result of practicing autoerotic asphyxiation. To save Kyle and himself embarrassment, Lance buttons up Kyle's pants, hangs Kyle's body from the closet and writes a fake suicide letter in order to fake Kyle's suicide.Once Lance returns to school, he bumps into Andrew in the hallway. Andrew tells Lance that Kyle didnt seem sad enough to commit suicide but Lance just blows him off by saying Kyle was a "complicated guy".One day, feeling sad, Kyle calls Claire looking for someone to talk to but Claire is at one of Mike's basketball games and blows him off. Lance bakes weed brownies and takes them to his neighbor's house just to have someone to talk to. Sharing an interest in zombie movies, the neighbor invites Lance to watch a zombie marathon on tv, Lance accepts gladly.When Kyle's suicide note, or better yet Lance's, is published in the school newspaper, all attention turns towards Lance as Claire pays more attention to him and more students switch from Mike's class to Lance's.As students inquire more and more about Kyle and his interests, Lance starts making up things. He even starts writing a journal, pretending Kyle wrote it. The kids at school start wearing shirts with Kyle's picture on them, actually pretending they liked Kyle when they didn't. Andrew talks to Lance about it saying the suicide note didnt seem like something Kyle would write, but once again Lance blows him off by saying Kyle was a smart and complex individual.Lance talks to the grief counselor but he assures Lance that Kyle's suicide note has touched a lot of students causing them to reach out to him. He assures Lance that Kyle may not have died in vain. That weekend Lance writes the rest of "Kyle's journal" which he then gives to the grief counselor telling him to take a look at it and see if he should publish it for it to be valuable to the other students. Claire also takes a look at it and they try to pick out a name for it. They publish the journal which is then handed out to kids at school.Lance grows all the more popular but it seems as if Mike is starting to get suspicious. Lance cancels on his neighbor by saying he has an emergency even though he is playing golf with Mike and Principal Anderson. There, Principal Anderson tells Lance that he is going to rename the school library after Kyle, even though he had once suggested Kyle be put in a special needs school.Lance gets invited to go on a talk show but as he is getting ready to leave, Andrew visits him and tells him how the journal doesnt sound anything like Kyle. Lance gets a bit worked up and tells him to just let it go and that no wonder his mother drinks, causing Andrew to storm off.After the show, Lance gets a call from someone saying that the journal has caught the attention of several publishers.The next day at the library dedication, fueled by the guilt of exploiting his sons death for his own benefit and the hatred towards those who pretend to have liked Kyle when in real life they didnt, Lance tells everyone the truth behind Kyles death, revealing that he was the one who wrote the suicide note and the journal. Lance walks through a crowd full of looks of indignation, now that everyone knows he was living a lie. Immediately after, feeling liberated, he runs to the schools pool and dives in naked.Lance is now disliked by everyone except for his neighbor and Andrew who advices him to keep writing. The movie ends with Lance, his neighbor, and Andrew watching a zombie movie.

Review: So when, as in this movie, he plays someone who is sweet and kind and weak and crawling through moral quicksand, the resulting conflict you feel has you laughing out loud and wringing your hands with anxiety all at the same time.The plot is original and comes with a couple of unforgettable twists.
From this year's Sundance Film Festival we have Bobcat Goldthwait's dark comedy World's Greatest Dad, we delve once again into the unknown of Any Town, USA.This film mainly takes place in a school setting, but the themes and conflicts that arise coincide with those found in other films about suburbia.
For a comedian I can imagine it being difficult to change emotionally like that, but Williams has proved time after time in films like Good Will Hunting, One Hour Photo, and Insomniac that he can play just about any role thrown at him.
At first I thought the film was going to end up like last years Towelhead, a hodgepodge of issues and conflicts that are each could have been their own film, but here we have an even dosage of each, culminating to a great finale and realization by William's character.The film isn't perfect.
In his latest role as Lance Clayton in Bobcat Goldthwait's (yep the guy out of Police Academy) 'World's Greatest Dad' he is once again showing us he's still got what it takes as he tackles the role of a father who loses his son to a tragic accident.
Like finding yourself staring at a car crash you won't be able to look away as the pacing draws you through the story with ease and although it deals with matters that are slightly taboo its ultimately an enjoyable watch and one which cements Williams reputation as a comic actor adapt at playing the wounded human soul..
World's Greatest Dad (2009) *** (out of 4) One of the blackest of all black comedies features Robin Williams as Lance, a failed teacher, failed boyfriend and failed father to an obnoxious pervert (Daryl Sabara) who masturbates too much, is hated by everyone and who has no real purpose in life.
SHAKES THE CLOWN has gained a cult following over the years and there's no doubt that this film will eventually be looked at as not a great movie but one that after watching you'll want to stand up and applaud the filmmakers for delivering something completely original and different.
The movie has so many layers that people are going to take different things away from it but I really respected the comedy of the first half and then the drama of the second.
World's Greatest Dad well and truly sees him in the latter.Williams plays a teacher and unsung poet who has been unsuccessful in his quest to become published, even though he has submitted quality work over many years.As a single father he has an extremely difficult relationship with his utterly detestable teenage son.
Just joined IMDb for the privilege of posting a review of this film.I watched it with my wife expecting a wry dark comedy (what it says on the box) The characters are thin, Robin Williams is UN-credible and the plot is slow.The dialogue & subject matter is disgusting and repulsive - it is repeated and dwelled upon as if the director enjoys portraying this stuff.
It is one of the darker comedies I have scene but at times it does not feel like a dark movie.
The first thing we learn from World's Greatest Dad is that Lance Clayton (Robin Williams) isn't the man he thought he'd be.
Alexie Gilmore, Henry Simmons, Geoffrey Pierson (who plays the school principal), Evan Martin (as Kyle's best friend, Andrew), and Lorrain Nicholson (Jack Nicholson's daughter, all but unrecognizable as Kyle's goth classmate) all give solid supporting performances.Bobcat Goldthwait wrote a clever and funny script, and then directed it beautifully.
The camera work is nicely handled including a few moments of judicious slow motion; one camera angle in particular adds so much to the pain of a poignant moment that my breath caught for just a moment (as was likely intended) when I saw it.BOTTOM LINE: Given the combination of a good idea, a solid script, terrific actors, and a gifted director, I'd have to say that World's Greatest Dad would be a treat for people who really love film making however they happen to feel about teenagers themselves.
While many things aren't too shocking for kids as young as 13 or 14, there are a few things (which I won't discuss here so as not to ruin some nicely twisted parts of the plot) that are well beyond what you may want your younger teen to see.POLITICAL NOTES: There's nothing either overtly or subtly political about World's Greatest Dad. But when I saw the blatant hypocrisy of the high school students on full blown display, I couldn't help but think of the politicians who will do and say anything just to stay popular with the voters.
These are questions explored in Bobcat Goldthwait's World's Greatest Dad, which is in my opinion one of the best dark comedies of 2009.As a high school teacher, Lance Clayton (Robin Williams) has tried his whole life to have his writings published but has always failed.
However, after his works are published he begins to realize that though he may not always like his son, he loves him and has certain responsibilities toward him.Overall, World's Greatest Dad works best as a dark, raunchy comedy, yet there is also an interesting and original story about a father and son that keeps the viewer entertained.
So if you are looking for a raunchy comedy and you have to choose between re-watching one of the Judd Apatow films (40 Year Virgin, Funny People, Knocked Up) or World's Greatest Dad, check out Robin William's latest film on Instant Netflix.
That's okay, just don't watch the movie!"World's Greatest Dad" is a comedy for a very specific audience, the audience for very, very dark and cynical comedy films.
This movie had a message to it that crosses over into reality with such force that it wouldn't be unheard of for something like this to have happened.Robin Williams put forth a tremendous acting performance.
Certainly not Kyle (Daryl Sabara.) Kyle is the 15 year old son of Lance (Robin Williams.) Kyle is over-indulged.
Hypocrisy it may be, but Kyle's memory (fake though it is) seems to have a positive impact on a lot of the kids, until Lance then has to ruin whatever good was going to come out of all this by confessing to being the author of the note and book and reminding everyone that his son was "a douchebag."Nobody was likable or sympathetic in this.
A black comedy about a struggling writer attempting to raise his arrogant child, Kyle.The movie stars Robin William (Mrs. Doubtfire, One Hour Photo) as Lance and Daryl Sabara (Spy Kids) as Kyle.
Soon his suicide letter gets published in the school paper and Lance's fame from TV and the kids sky rockets.Such an inspiring movie, its a wonder why more things like this don't get made.
The place where World's Greatest Dad differs from these two films is the lead character; Heathers and Jawbreaker both follow female leads that accidentally murder fellow high school classmates.
World's Greatest Dad followed a different path than this, showing a father in a similar leading role.Robin Williams stars as Lance Clayton, a high school English teacher who is attempting to hold on to his job, his girlfriend, and his son's respectand failing miserably at all three.
The first half of the movie is a hilarious spectacle of sorts, showing Clayton's son, Kyle (Daryl Sabara of Spy Kids fame), ridiculing and disrespecting him at every turn.
His life is finally starting to look up, and Lance is for once happy.This movie showed a relationship which is rare to see so honestly in films; a father who dislikes his son.
Things take a interesting turn for the worst in their relationship, and Lance Clayton (Robin Williams) has to take matters into his own hands, which eventually leads to a result you obviously expect, although it would've been more interesting to continue living the lie.
SLEEPING DOGS touched on sexual perversion, but WORLD'S GREATEST DAD brings it front and centre, though never graphically so, in the form of Williams' screen offspring, played by former child actor Daryl Sabara of the SPY KIDS trilogy (2001,2002, 2003).
(My once prudish professor did as well, as she unleashed a series of sinister laughs before clutching her broomstick and heading off to her 5 o'clock.) Robin Williams' performance as Lance Clayton, the film's protagonist is simply brilliant.
But all that is about to change after a bizarre accident.Written and directed by Bobcat Goldthwait, director of numerous comedy shows such as "The Man Show" and "Jimmy Kimmel Live," "World's Greatest Dad" is an unlikely black comedy that will surely twist anyone's perception about what it means to be a genuine person.Williams give one of his best leading performances in maybe as much as the last ten years.
The emotions of a man whose life is on the brink of failure going through a change as tumultuous as the one he endures is are varied and I think Williams plays them all nicely.The pride of "World's Greatest Dad" is the script.
The Obama-like photo of Kyle that appears on numerous occasions represents so much that just having it in frame it is part of the humor and even the poignancy.Non-traditional and a bit cliché at points, "World's Greatest Dad" is not perfect, but the undertones and intention behind the events of the film is where it makes its statement.
Me and the person I watched it with were laughing so hard I thought I was going to choke at some point.Robin Williams is absolutely excellent and gives such a brilliant performance that you can't help but like him and cross your fingers any time something new happens on screen.
As a matter of fact, all of the actors were pretty good and believable, from the staff of the school to the students themselves - I particularly liked the old lady living next door (I'm sorry I don't remember her name).The ending may leave some people slightly disappointed - I'm not talking about the message that other reviewers didn't get, since I matter-of-factly totally agree with it - but how the dad reacts at the end might be puzzling.
Hugely underrated, dark comedy movie about a father who deals with his sons accidental death.
I watched this movie after watching Robin William starer Dead Poets Society and i was surprised that same actor in same role of a English poetry teacher, can deliver two contrasting characters with such brilliance.
If you want to watch a dark comedy where you are laughing at the plight of characters and the situation no matter how weird it may seem can bring out the laughter, go for it.It is also a reflection that once someone is dead same people who them you for a fool or never cared, show how much they meant to them.The movie also brings out the fact that all of us have some peculiarities of our own.
In World's Greatest Dad, Williams plays an English Teacher, who covers up his son's bizarre and embarrassing death.
The story line is thin at best and even a half hearted performance from Williams fails to ignite this experience.The subject matter is questionable & pointless with the message which it attempts to portrayed is ultimately lost.I would avoid this title and go for Bobcats' better outing to date, 'God Bless America', its an infinitely more rounded film with quality performances in the leading roles.
Even while it builds at first as an bleakly affectionate character study, it is shifting into uncanny high satire, and it is hard not to identify with every fine point of Goldthwait's portrayal of a thoroughly shallow society whose search for prophets and leaders results in artificial figures of nobility, something that hasn't been done this acutely well since Alexander Payne's Election or South Park.But instead of weaving a distillation of US politics or characterizing allegories, Goldthwait just keeps it really simple, and ends up saying so much about high school bureaucracy and pack mentality, the extremes of father-son bonding, blind hero worship, the superficial nature of media fascination, the moral grey of opportunism and the need to belong, all of which leads to a well-earned over-the-top repression release set to Under Pressure with which everyone will be able to lovingly and cheerfully relate..
World's Greatest Dad is a very dark comedy starring Robin Williams.
Perhaps they felt at home with Lance (Robin Williams' character).The real question I have is why did Bruce Hornsby agree to be insulted in this movie?
Goldthwaite spends a major part of the movie laying out the principal characters and driving home the complete loser – team that Lance and his Son Kyle make.
Whilst this film won't stand as high as Good Morning Vietnam or Dead Poet Society, The World's Greatest Dad shines almost equally to these greats.
Robin Williams does a fantastic job at setting up his character and the film as a whole is great fun to watch.
In the film, Robin Williams' son accidentally kills himself (I won't say how - you'll have to find out) in an embarrassing way.
While it might not rank as THE best comedy Robin Williams has ever done, it is a darkly funny film that takes advantage of his comedic and dramatic skills effectively.
Directed by Bobcat Goldthwait, WORLD'S GREATEST DAD is about Lance Clayton (Williams), a failed writer who teaches poetry at the high school where his son attends.
Robin Williams gives one of his best performances in years as Lance Clayton who, if you think about it, is like a cynical version of his John Keating character from DEAD POETS SOCIETY.
The film opens with the words of lonely high school teacher Lance Clayton, played here by Robin Williams.
His life turns around dramatically after a tragic accident."World's Greatest Dad" is an interesting film as it mixes tragedy and comedy successfully.
He once again proves what a good actor he really is.Im not going to spoil anything of the movie because you got to see it in its full.If you like dark comedy where you never know if you're supposed to cry or laugh this is your movie.
And he's in that mode here - or trying to be - as a single father who tragically loses his piece-of-s&%# son, who dies while - yep - masturbating.Williams, as high school teacher/aspiring writer Lance Clayton, finds his dead masturbating son and does what I suspect many would do in this unique situation: he makes it look like his son killed himself.
He's a decent enough writer and a funny, unique man, but, under the direction of a REAL director, Williams likely could've given a great, buzz-worthy performance.I suppose you could compare the film to Election, Happiness and American Pie, all three of which do a much better job at doing what they do than World's Greatest Dad. But is this a bad film?
So far 2009 has brought us some great films, but nothing tops the quality and hilarity that is World's Greatest Dad. This also features what is quite possibly Robin Williams's best performance ever, and I mean ever.
World's Greatest Dad. Robin Williams stars as Lance Clayton, an aspiring writer who hasn't quite reached success, in Bobcat Goldthwait's dark comedy World's Greatest Dad. Lance's poetry class lacks attendance, the teacher he is dating (Alexie Gilmore) doesn't seem to want a serious relationship, and his son Kyle (Daryl Sabara) could care less about him.
Robin Williams shines in his best performance in years in a film that is both vulgar and poignant, hilarious and saddening.http://www.cinemarewind.com/2009/07/review-worlds-greatest-dad.html.
Robin Williams has more often than not had Drama mixed with Comedy in his films.
World's Greatest Dad, written and directed by Bobcat Goldthwaite, is to be commended for turning Williams' legendary character on its head in the persona of Lance Clayton.
Bobcat Goldthwaite shows he was not only a fan of Dead Poets but Heathers, another 1989 movie that turned the topic of teen suicide into comedy.Lance's suicide note is a hit!
World's Greatest Dad is probably the darkest dark comedy I have ever seen, and it impacts you so much more than any other film would...
Perhaps that is a little strong to describe it, but I got the creeps from it.World's greatest dad is the story of a teacher named Lance Clayton(played excellently by the excellent Robin Williams, who proves that he is better at drama than comedy.
It's great to see Robin Williams back in this creepy but hilarious film.World's greatest dad:***1/2 out of ****.
In this film, Robin Williams plays Lance, who is a failed writer who teaches poetry to high schoolers who either suck at it or are just no good, has a hot-cold affair with another teacher, and his son, for lack of a better term, is a waste.Kyle, as it turns out, just sits in his room and masturbates - a lot - and to whatever he can get his hands on, the sicker the better (he even takes a liking to the little old lady next door through the curtains), and he hates just about anything, and his peers hate him right back.
Note: the spoiler is integral to the synopsis, and, as such, isn't really a spoiler at all.In Bobcat Goldthwait's black comedy, Robin Williams plays divorcée Lance Clayton; part-time writer (unpublished), and full-time poetry teacher (unpopular).
It is to the credit of the director and star that the film doesn't falter after Kyle's accidental death a third of the way through.Lance finds his son dead of auto-erotic asphyxiation and decides to make it look like the suicide of a tortured soul.