Why Him?
A dad forms a bitter rivalry with his daughter's young rich boyfriend.
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- Cast:
- Bryan Cranston , James Franco , Zoey Deutch , Megan Mullally , Griffin Gluck , Keegan-Michael Key , Kaley Cuoco
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Reviews
Good story, Not enough for a whole film
Good concept, poorly executed.
The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.
The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.
I could not stop laughing throughout, although some people are not going to feel comfortable with the kind humor used. It is raunchy and cringe worthy at times. If you don't like that kind of humor you'll hate it. Yet I don't think that it deserves some of the scathing reviews I've seen.
If you're looking for a movie that's going to make you laugh from beginning to end, this is the one!
'Why Him?' is a Christmas-set 'Meet The Parents' (and is produced by Ben Stiller), from the director of 'Along Came Polly' and 'I Love You, Man', so you know what kind of humour to expect. The plot is just Stephanie (Deutch) trying to convince her parents, Ned (Cranston) & Barb (Mullally) to like her new boyfriend, Laird (Franco). It doesn't help that he's 10 years older (16 years older in real life!), a billionaire and has no filter!Franco plays his usual loveable doofus, Cranston is great as the straight-man with some moments of madness, but Deutch, Mullally, Cedric The Entertainer and Gluck are underutilised. Keegan-Michael Key does get plenty of chances to shine as Gustav, a German(?) "butler" who is also Laird's martial arts trainer/best friend. Kaley Cuoco also has a pretty funny cameo-type role. There's plenty of sight gags and prat-falls, and an amusing bit with a digital toilet that solves the plot at the end.There's good use of KISS - both "Rock & Roll All Nite" and the 2-3min cameo from Paul & Gene at the end! Franco pretty much steals every scene he's in, with his loveable charm and smile and goofy remarks. It's a fun film, but could be a little quicker and doesn't quite achieve greatness.
Strange to see James Franco still appear in movies. Not that he is horrible, but he always seems....out of place. As if he studied the wrong script or character.Having said that, Why Him is a funny comedy that borrows from "Daddy's Home" and leans on the acting skills from Bryan Cranston and Megan Mullally who have the skill to portray actual characters in this further average and thin movie, that has Franco and Deutch as screen filler and eye candy. Cranston and Mullally show motivation, doubt, development and vulnerability while at the same time being likable in funny situations, that lead to an all to predictable conclusion of friendship and family.Not something to pay for, but okay to stay home for.