Why Him (Movie Review)
If you’re looking for a funny, crass holiday comedy to watch with the family, try why him. Starring Bryan Cranston and James Franco, the film focuses on a father who struggles with his daughter’s decision to date a wacky app-game mogul. Parents need to know that this movie contains plenty of swearing, sex jokes, and more.
1. Watch it on the big screen
If you're a James Franco fan, then you'll enjoy the latest comedy from him, Why Him?, which reunites the actor with his wife Zoey Deutch. The film is a holiday-themed comedy that follows a Midwest printing executive (Bryan Cranston) who travels to Silicon Valley to meet his daughter's boyfriend, Laird Meyhew (James Franco), and their family.
The premise isn't as clever or original as it sounds, which is unfortunate. It's a shame because this movie has potential to be quite funny, especially when directed by John Hamburg, the man behind such hilarious flicks as I Love You Man and Along Came Polly.
Director Hamburg says that the story for Why Him? was inspired by a BBC series called Cuckoo. He also said that he and co-writer Ian Helfer have "a lot of fun on set."
Aside from the premise, Why Him? isn't really any different from the previous three Fockers movies. The film stars Bryan Cranston as Ned Fleming, a Michigan print-purveyor who tries to keep a cheery, uptight facade when he visits California to visit his daughter Stephanie (Zoey Deutch) at Stanford.
But then, he meets her new boyfriend, a wealthy tech mogul with more eccentricities than a traditional Midwest patriarch can handle, and he instantly takes an instant dislike to the man. The two men clash for most of the movie, but there are a few moments that are actually kind of fun.
As Ned, Cranston is a bit more convincing than the rest of the cast because he's playing a straight man who doesn't want to be cynical about the whiz kid's eccentricities. He's also got a pretty strong chemistry with Franco, who plays a parkour-loving tech bro who can be a bit too smarmy for his own good.
The two actors give spirited performances, but they're so strained to pull weak material that it's hard to enjoy the whole thing. The only redeeming factor is that the actors are trying to be outrageous, so they do their best to make their characters more than just a mouthpiece for the humor.
3. Watch it on a computer
In this wacky Christmas comedy, doting father Ned (Bryan Cranston) is shocked to discover his daughter Stephanie (Kaley Cuoco) is dating Laird (James Franco), a man-boy who's profane, sexually irresponsible and a nightmare. Fortunately, Ned's wife (Keegan-Michael Key) and her mother are on his side.
The film is so full of big laughs and comic set pieces that it's hard to believe it runs a little long. Among the reasons: it's so busy forcing its characters through elaborately crass set pieces that there's not much room for other scenes or character development, and the jokes don't always know when to stop.
Despite these limitations, why him is still a fun movie to watch, and it's better-hearted than many of the other wacky and nasty comedies that are currently in theaters. It's also a reminder of the pressures that 21st-century women feel to be, do and have it all.
It's not as funny as Bad Moms or Knocked Up, but it's better than a lot of other R-rated comedies in this genre. And it's even better-hearted than some of the more serious movies that fall into this category, like Bridesmaids and American Pie.
There's an underlying sense that tech is good, that it can save Middle America's remaining manufacturers and keep jobs right here in the United States. But if that means a little privatized surveillance, so be it. It's also a reminder that there are plenty of good old-fashioned ideas that deserve more credit than the ones that have become ingrained in our culture.
4. Watch it on a mobile device
Over the holidays, an overprotective father (Bryan Cranston) visits his daughter at Stanford to see the latest in high tech and fashion. What he doesn’t expect is a trip down the Silicon Valley rat race. The biggest obstacle he faces is the well meaning but socially awkward billionaire boyfriend of his daughter (James Franco). Why Him? makes the list of best Christmas gifts for your significant other, but you can watch it on the big screen or your mobile device courtesy of FX Now and DIRECTV. It’s a fun movie with an impressive if not eye-popping cast. It’s not for everyone, but if you have a hankering to see a movie about technology etiquette and a man with no legs, then Why Him is the movie for you.
