The In-Laws
3 out of 5 stars
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This remake of the 1979 Alan Arkin-Peter Falk comedy tells the story from the opposite perspective, eliminating the mystery to make it more of a spy adventure than a caper comedy. But it's surprisingly enjoyable. Steve Tobias (Douglas) is a deep undercover CIA agent working with his partner (Tunney) to nab a notorious arms dealer (Suchet) who's so camp it hurts. The problem is that on the same weekend as the entire deal is coming down, Steve has to also help organise the wedding of his son (Reynolds) to a Chicago girl (Sloane) whose father Jerry (Brooks) is basically life-o-phobic. And before he knows what's happened, Jerry is jetting around the world ... far too deeply involved in international espionage for his liking.

This high-concept film has no subtlety at all, constantly drifting into annoying-comedy mode and playing with stereotypes without ever doing anything clever or intriguing. But the script is laced with superb dialog that keeps us engaged, especially with a pro like Brooks, who elevates nervous jitters to an art! (Although his escalating misery makes the film hard to truly enjoy.) Meanwhile Douglas is surprisingly slick and witty, and Bergin has a terrific scene-stealing role as his bitter and twisted ex-wife. Even though director Fleming (Dick) takes every scene a step too far, he just about keeps things watchable by centring on a solid cast who are able to juggle cornball comedy with high-energy action (cue another dodgy blue-screen shot!). For a mindless comedy, it's not too bad. But there's so much more in the premise that it almost makes you angry the filmmakers just threw it all away.

cert 12 themes, language, some violence 7.Jul.03

dir Andrew Fleming
scr Nat Mauldin, Ed Solomon
with Michael Douglas, Albert Brooks, Robin Tunney, David Suchet, Candice Bergen, Ryan Reynolds Lindsay Sloane, Maria Ricossa, Emmy Laybourne, Russell Andrews, Eric Fink, Cara Pifko
release US 23.May.03; UK 11.Jul.03
Warners
03/US 1h37

Search me: Douglas and Brooks arrive at the arms dealer's lair.

douglas brooks bergin
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© 2003 by Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall

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