Some questions are almost impossible to answer. Strapped into an antique polygraph machine, heart rate already pulsing at the very idea of it, Greg Focker is doomed. The question races towards him: "Have you ever watched a pornographic movie?" As the needles go berserk, a theater of viewers laugh out loud to watch his portrayer, Ben Stiller, sweat it out.
Fortunately, this is only one of many times Greg is destined to fail.
Such is the premise for "Meet the Parents," the new comedy that brings every male suitor's worst nightmare to life. Greg, a male nurse, intends to propose to Pam Byrnes (Teri Polo). Having caught onto the idea that Pam's father (Robert De Niro), a former CIA member, might be more than a little difficult to win over to the idea of marriage, Greg arrives overly eager to please, rare tulip in hand. Only Jack Byrnes is not quite the florist Pam has described him to be.
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It doesn't take long before Greg embarrasses himself even further, torching the back yard, painting a cat and bringing in a suitcase of provocative women's clothing. The humor in "Parents" jumps from one humiliating scene to the next, as Greg makes anything but a good impression. In fact, things only go from bad to worse. The story, written by Greg Glienna, is nothing more than an example of the classic domino effect. As a result, audiences begin to set their watches on the next example of Greg's failure to please.
Jay Roach, who directed both "Austin Powers" movies, cannot seem to move away from the cheesy cause and effect transitions. With his absurdly heavy-handed touch, anything the camera spotlights is sure to catch on fire or crash to the floor. At least he learned from Mike Meyers of "Austin Powers" to let the actors carry the comedy.
Much of the hilarity results from Stiller's facial expressions. De Niro's straight face serves as the impetus for all of Greg's embarrassment. The jokes only work because of the way De Niro plays straight man to Stiller; he's the classic intimidating father-in-law.
Despite the high-billed and talented comedic actors, the laughs are often lowbrow. To begin with, Greg is casually (and cruelly) referred to as Focker. Say the word out loud to yourself a few times and you'll catch the easy joke. Working as a male nurse, he's easily subjected to stereotypical jokes and harassment. The laughs come, but often at a price - a cheap one.
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Although underused, Owen Wilson (as Kevin, Pam's ex-fianc
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