User reviews

Stop me if you've heard this one before. Take a terrific French comedy, produce an American remake, and watch many of the laughs disappear. Even the two huge talents who star in this film can't save it. This film isn't nearly as bad as most of the reviews seem to suggest, but it really is nothing more than ordinary at best. Do yourself a favour, and watch the original film, "Les Comperes", instead of this one. Plus, Gerard Depardieu seems as though he could give a stronger head-butt than Billy Crystal, don't you think?

You would expect that when the comic talents of Robin Williams and Billy Crystal are combined the results would be fairly amusing...unfortunately they are not. This is another failed attempt by Hollywood to Americanize a French movie which is everything that this film is not. One of the biggest problems with this film is that the boy is so unlikeable - probably a fault of both the script and the actor. You can't believe that anyone would care that this little idiot ran away from home, and that two people were desperate enough to be his father to chase after him. Julia Louis-Dreyfuss & Nastassja Kinski have very little to do in their respective roles, especially Kinski, whose role is more of a cameo than a role of any substance. The entire setting and story behind the boys disappearance is ridiculous, as is the sub-plot involving Kinski's husband trying to find the boy as well. The leads are just not up to scratch compared to their usual comic abilities. A real let down, and a total waste of time.

Very flat and predictable story. Robin and Crystal do make an ideal on-screen duo. Too bad they chose this script to do it. They can't save this mess. There are some very funny parts, but it's overshadowed by a poor story. It seems like those two and Julia Dreyfuss are the only ones making an effort. Charlie Hofheimer was very annoying and the rest of the characters looked liked they'd rather be in another film.

A supposed big laugh was intended when Bruce Greenwood's character stepped into a Port-o-san, a truck backs into it, and it falls over into a ditch, implying that the interior is now flooded with human excrement, with him stuck inside. I have no aversion to gross-out toilet humor, but that is just not funny. From there the movie goes from going downhill (no pun intended) to a flat-out nosedive. I don't think I even lasted to the end.

I can only hope that these two immensely talented actors will try to work another film together, but please choose something a little less insulting. Normally this would score a four, but Crystal and Williams bump it up to a 5/10.

"Fathers' Day" seems to pride itself in its two main stars, Billy Crystal and Robin Williams. This is more of a film made out of vain then for comedic purposes. It is for the crowds out there who have been waiting for Billy Crystal and Robin Williams to star together in lead roles, almost like the fans of "Freddy vs. Jason" have been waiting for their heroes to duke it out. This movie combines two big stars, and the amazing thing is that it actually gets away with it.

Yes, "Fathers' Day" isn't all that great, and no, I didn't love it, but sue me: I enjoyed it. Is it too much to ask from a comedy that it simply entertain me, give me a few laughs? Films like "The Hot Chick" can't even manage to do this, but "Fathers' Day" pulls it off. Why? Maybe because it is so fun watching Crystal and Williams interact. They bring a dead script to life. I must admit that given a better script their pairing could have made for one of the funniest films of the year, but the screenplay for this movie is dead in the water. Crystal and Williams do their best and make it amusing, but it could have been so much more. When a film resorts to showing Robin Williams doing impersonations in front of a mirror for the umpteenth time, you know that the script isn't all it could and should have been.

And this is pretty strange, because Babaloo Mandez and Lowell Ganz are usually trustworthy to deliver an amusing and hysterical script. These are the men responsible for one of my favorite comedies in recent years, "City Slickers," and their script for "Fathers' Day" just sinks to predictability, sappiness and sterotypes.

Get this: Crystal plays an ambitious lawyer who gets a call from an ex-girlfriend he went out with 17 years earlier. She tells him that her sixteen-year-old son has run away from home, that he is the father, and that he must help retrieve the boy. She gives him a photo of the boy (who looks like the typical teenage snot named Scott), and touched by her story for whatever reason he agrees to find the boy.

Problem no. 1. Crystal is a lawyer. At the end of the film, he is lied to and knows this. His wife (Julia Louis-Dreyfuss) asks how he knows. He says, "I'm a lawyer, people lie to me all the time." If he is such a brilliant lawyer, why did he not look past his ex-girlfriend's little lie? Don't know, don't care - it is part of the film and what can you do?

And get this: Crystal's ex happens to be Williams' ex, too. She tells Williams the exact same story as Crystal, hoping to get at least one of them to find the boy. They both try. We know they will accidentally meet looking for him, there will be confusion, the boy will not be grateful for their helping him out until the very end, and so on and so forth.

But this movie entertained me. Crystal and Williams have good chemistry, even if a good script could have made their interaction a bit more. The jokes do fall flat at times, but the direction is nice (Ivan "Ghostbusters" Reitman), and to be honest, I had fun watching this movie. That's all I really ask for in some comedies.

(Also note a cameo by Mel Gibson, who dropped by the set during filming of "Lethal Weapon 4" at Warner Bros.!)

3/5 stars -

John Ulmer

When do they stop americanizing Francis Veber productions? Again a good example for a remake that is much worse than the original: over-psychologized, killing one gag after the other - the charming elements are left out to not make the film exactly the same, and nothing is left. I like Billy Crystal and I bear Robin Williams but they are not equal to Gérard Depardieu and Pierre Richard. One day - I see it with horror - they're going to re-produce Louis de Funès-classics starring Jim Carrey!

There are times when the critics crucify a movie and those who star in it, with no justification. I ignore critics completely because I know what I like. I find it particularly offensive when unjust criticism is levelled at young performers at the start of a career. For this reason I shall begin by mentioning Charlie Hofheimer's role in the film. This was his biggest part to date and brother it must have been hard. He had to play a straight role with no comic lines between the two old hands, Robin Williams and Billy Crystal who obviously ad-libbed from beginning to end. It is of enormous credit to him that he managed to keep a straight face at all. His character was a spoiled teenager who was at various times in love, in a drunken stupor, on the run from criminals and suddenly confused about who his father was. I fail to see how he could have carried this part off better than he did. Add to this the fact that at 15/16 Charlie was undoubtedly one of the most handsome young men in America.

Williams with his extravagant style and Crystal with the more subtle approach provided the perfect foil for each other. So the comedy flowed. Nor did all of the best comic moments happen when these two were involved. The third father's rescue mission was hilarious.

There was also a fair amount of pathos running through the film which made it into just the kind of happy/ sad mixture that I love.This was no Oscar nomination, but good, clean, harmless fun. Enjoy!

"Fathers Day" is a huge disappointment. Robin Williams and Billy Crystal are a great comedy duo, but the script doesn't demand much from them, nor does it deserve it. The plot soon wears thin and bumbles its way to the finishing line in a very ammateur way. Julia Louis Dreyfuss (always reminds me of Andie McDowell) does little with her un-challenging role while Nastassja Kinski is hopelessly miscast. Give this tired movie a miss. My IMDb rating: 4.1 out of 10.

When you put together the talents of Robin Williams and Billy Crystal, you bet your life people are gonna expect big things. I myself expected big things. The movie doesn't deliver on all levels. There are some badly written gags and lame dialogue ("He's having some problems with his testicles"). But throughout 80 % of the movie I was entertained and got a fair share of laughs. Naturally, Billy and Robin have incredible chemistry and I'm sure a lot of their stuff was ad-libbed. They just could've used a better script. Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel wrote the great comedy "Mr. Saturday Night," so I did expect better from them. The two guys don't always seem secure with the material, and rightfully so, like with that lame running gag about "the whirl."

Nevertheless, "Fathers' Day" is a delightful comedy and it definitely has its moments. Some won't be as satisfied as others, but I myself was satisfied.

My score: 7 (out of 10)

I saw a TV add for this one, and started to laugh at gags, that were in it. Plus there were two great comedians in it. I couldn't wait to see this one and I expected nothing, but laugh and a top notch comedy? So did this movie satisfied my desires for a good laugh?

NO. The story could have been shown much better with the right directing, since it was interesting topic involved. But I shouldn't blame director for all the bad credits. The two leading actor didn't show a half of their acting talent (just remember a Williams unforgetable appearance in Dead poets society and if you want a comedy in Mrs. Doubtfire or Good morning Vietnam), The same goes for the rest of the crew. Just unnoticeable.

SURE, there were some laughable gigs that made me watch this movie to the end. Even if it was made as a light comedy (or under 80 IQ type of movie) it should provide some fresh humor scenes.

That's why I couldn' give this one a rating more than

3 out of 10

(and a special plus for Mel Gibson performance and Nasstasja Kinski beauty:)

I watched this movie with Robin Williams and Billy Crystal the other day

I thought it was very good, despite not getting good reviews or ratings from critics

Critics comparing it unfavourably with the French version, which I have also seen and enjoyed

But why bother, why can't they just judge it on it's own merits?

Williams and Crystal bring their own particular comedic gifts to their version

Underrated. I saw this back in the day, loved it, and have gone on to watch it every few years; I think it's aged wonderfully. Williams and Crystal together was a real treat in this film. I don't get the hate.

Billy Crystal and Robin Williams are two of the funniest men alive, and Ivan Reitman has directed some real comedy classics. HOW COULD THEY MAKE THIS?!? The funny gags in this film are few and far between, and the highlight of the film isn't even the two of them, it's Mel Gibson when he shows up pierced and tatooed all over. Also, I must admit it has a good soundtrack, with music by the Mighty Mighty Bosstones and Sly and the Family Stone. But otherwise, this is painfully unfunny. The French original, LES COMPARES, with Gerard Depardieu, was only okay, but this remake makes it look like a classic.

Yeah, the plot's kinda lame and not too believable, but the stars are able to make it a fun time. In fact, the best moments are the ones that serve not to advance the story, but allow Williams and Crystal do their trademark acts.

Billy Crystal is a master of the non-response, such as when told that he has a 15 year old son, continuing to slowly drink his coffee. Robin Williams is the improv master. It's fun to guess which lines were written in the screenplay, and which ones just came from his head full of characters.

We know everything will turn out OK in the end, but there are enough unexpected twists and turns to keep the story interesting, and some pretty funny minor characters.

I really hate it when Americans take a good french movie "Les Comperes" to make some crap!! And this is just it... from the beginning to the end, all the good jokes are ruined, the actors simply don't match (why the hell is Billy Crystal playing the strong guy that Depardieu handled so perfectly??)... Please if you understand a bit French, go get the original!!!

I liked Fathers' Day. It made me laugh. It's based on a very contrived French play, story so...well I think it took a lot of creativity to build the situations. Comedic exaggeration, physical stuff, and the tender ending, though it didn't get me to cry like Planes, Trains and Automobiles did make a good point. I relate to the whole "not knowing your father issue" and having accepted it find this movie tickles my absurd funny bone. Humorous treatments of serious issues offend some but this movie can get people talking and that's a good thing. I also like the fact that well know actors were put alongside a new actor, the one playing the young son. He did a great job portraying the ungrateful child.... Good Idea overall...

Let us see. The scene where (Robin Williams) was trying so many "father" characters in front of a mirror, preparing for meeting his teen kid for the first time. Another one where he was personating a German producer. And a glimpse of (Billy Crystal) as a serious actor. Other than that, forget this movie, or simply, you'll do it effortlessly!

Knowing that it's based on French movie leads to the fact that it isn't original. However, watching it is what leads to the fact that it isn't funny. The script relies on just the presence of the 2 stars for the half of it, and makes easy toilet humor for the other. So it was between empty and disgusting. Seeing a moving human toilet (Williams at one point), or someone trapped in one (Bruce Greenwood in another) is what this movie considers as funny, and doesn't stop doing without any fear of repetition. As you see, this comedy has no talent and no conscience either!

Gathering 2 comedy rockets like (Williams) and (Crystal) in one movie is a great idea, this movie isn't. That neurotic actor was interesting character, but (Williams) had no actual situations or workable lines to do. That firm lawyer was supposed to be the very rational fretful opposite, which was disappointing knowing that it was played by (Crystal). The thing is he had no funny stuff, and his seriousness wasn't utilized in a funny way, unless you think that using his head to hit people is funny! (Nastassja Kinski) and (Greenwood), naturally cameos, were imprisoned in that empty and disgusting script. (Mel Gibson), most probably came across the studio while shooting, did an awful cameo. Again, the writing failed there. The only one who was handled right things, and did them rightly, was (Charlie Hofheimer) as the son. He undoubtedly was that lost, confused and desperate teen.

Director (Ivan Reitman) does wonders with only creative scripts (remember Ghostbusters?), so here's one movie that he won't be proud of. As for the American movies based on French ones, long list during the 1980s and 1990s, this remains axiomatically in the bottom. And as a buddy comedy, other buddy comedies produced in the same year, from (Men in Black) to (Out to Sea), were more amusing and - sure - less gross! So the good side of (Fathers' Day) doesn't exceed "seeing" (Williams) and (Crystal) together in one movie. It has nothing to it script, and nothing in it feel. For the million time, Hollywood, in the last 2 decades, as if has everything except "the writing". Big tragedy that is, which you can live painfully through the comedies.

Best COMEDY of 1997, Robin Williams and Billy Crystal come together Finally after 10 years of looking for a picture to do together( Says on DVD) Remake of Comperes, Les. A lawyer (crystal), and a writer/Major goofball (Williams) Who have nothing in common until they both go in search of their so called son, which their Ex-girlfriend tells them both without thinking they'd team up during the search. Funny, with a laugh around every corner. This movie deserves a lot more credit than given especially cause of the two great actors and Great director IVAN REITMAN. Your friends and family were wrong they are an uneven team but that makes it so funny because the plot calls for them to have nothing in common.

Ivan Reitman's 'Fathers' Day' is a passable flick from the long-gone year 1997. It has a interesting premise & the well-known filmmaker does fairly well. It's not half as bad as it fared at the box office.

'Fathers' Day' is no milestone, nor it's a very-good film, but it surely as mentioned, is a one-time watch. The film has a decent start, a bland middle, and a fair climax. Reitmen's work, according to me, is just right.

Coming straight to the acting department, Williams & Crystal both are the life of the show. Both are excel to the T. Julia Louis-Dreyfus has always been hot, and even her performance is quite okay. The Razzie Nomination was just uncalled for. Others are adequate.

There's not much left to write, and a film like 'Fathers' Day' doesn't demand that either. Watch it, cause it's really not as bad as one would've told you.