It is difficult for any director to better his earlier performance in
a sequel. Jay Roach just does that in ’’Meet the Fockers’’ AKA ’’Meet the Parents 2’’.
Gaylord Focker (Ben Stiller) is a young Jew Male Nurse in city of
Chicago. He is about to get married to Pam his long-time fiancee.
Before they do that, Pam’s Parents have to meet Focker’s parents.
Robert De Nero plays the Jack Byrnes (controlling father of Pam and a
retired CIA officer) to the hilt.
Thus starts a ride from Chicago to
Florida in a specially built supermobile which has soundproof walls,
unbreakable glass panes, potty trained cat of Jack’s and Debbie’s
(Pam’s sister) son who is getting ’’ferberized’’ by Jack (this is
integral part of the story and lends credence to idiosyncrasies of
Jack Byrnes)
Cut to Florida: Enter life-loving father (Dustin Hoffman) and mother (Barbra
Streisand). Focker lifestyle is poles apart form Byrnes’ lifestyle and
that starts a funny conflict till the end. Hoffman has pulled off a
marvelous performance as a garrulous happy-go-lucky retired lawyer who
dabbles in martial arts.
The movie has shades of popular comedy serial ’’Dharma and Greg’’ Dharma
has hippy parents who do not believe in competing (Gaylord’s No. 6
ribbon is still preserved on ’’wall of fame’’ by father). Greg’s parents
represent establishment (and thus authority) and lack warmth - just
like ex-CIA spy Jack does.
Some secrets are revealed through movie and other misunderstandings
are cleared. Jack Byrnes has to put his future son-in-law through his interrogations.
Finally the family reconciles their difference and the marriage
ritual is performed by Pam’s ex- boyfriend Kevin (who for some reason
has made a trip to Israel and got trained to be a Rabbi)
In my humble opinion, success of this movie goes to thespian Dustin
Hoffman (who hasn’t had a hit in a long time). The movie follows the
format of ’’Meet the Fockers’’ till end. So wait even when the credits
are over.
It is a mad house. Only a stoic will not be able to see humour in
this. It does not come as a surprise that this movie created a record
for the first weekend collections. If it is moving out of theatres
near you, go rent a CD and DVD.