Why Him?: Review
Cast: Bryan Cranston, James Franco, Zoey Deutch, Megab Mullally, Griffin Gluck, Keegan-Michael Key
It is easy to overlook Why Him? as gross-out, f-word littered and bathing in ribaldry - an entirely accurate deduction. Although one must not neglect to mention that these attributes, along with the momentously likable characters, the beating heart of the plot, and the bees-knees of comedy performances, make it an undeniable treat.
Ned (Cranston) and family visit Stanfordian daughter Steph (Deutch) in San Jose, California, to meet her new boyfriend, Laird (Franco). However, as a conservative family man, Ned can't wrap his head around the foul-mouthed video-game tycoon's relationship with his overachieving daughter.
The start is trudging and even unfunny, but as soon as the effing-and-blinding Franco arrives - having just got a large back tattoo of Ned and family as a heartfelt surprise - we breathe a sigh of relief. He truly steers the ship and orchestrates excellent chemistry with the other actors. The uncomfortable conversation is amplified to a ridiculous level, but it makes for laugh out loud fun.
While he is the kind of guy to have a sculpture installed of a moose carcass suspended in its own piss into his home, Laird is also winningly honest and genuinely caring. His assistant-cum-best-friend Gustav (Key) is an excellent comic match. A running joke of Gustav spontaneously pouncing on Laird to heighten his reactions and practice self-defense is particularly tickling.
Just about all of the characters - bar Steph, as the solo straight - get to flex their comedy muscles. Ned's wife, Barb (Mullally) and son, Scotty (Gluck) betray his stubbornness as they are won over by Laird's good-natured charms. Scotty is smitten after a conversation regarding cussing, and another when Laird encourages him to achieve 'dragons and titties' by gaining a seat at the table of his father's company. But Ned remains unmoved.
When Laird expresses his wish to propose to Steph on Christmas day, the race is on to win her father's blessing and approval. In the vein of Meet the Parents he tries to impress, but his attempts go south. In a moment of ideal bonding, Ned and Laird steal the Christmas tree of a rival gaming company. But still, they are far from pals. Cranston's performance as the uptight father reminds us that he's not only an exceptional actor, but also has a flair for comic delivery and timing. Although Franco's dynamic performance remains a cut above.
It takes a great deal for Ned to learn that he and Laird are not so different, and really that's why Steph loves them both dearly. The tension is eventually resolved, and while that's not an unpredictable twist, the ways the two men join forces to aid and heal each other's personal and financial issues is what makes the conclusion so satisfying and even touching.
MS
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