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?
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Tito-828 January 1999
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Meredith-729 November 1999You 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.
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MundaneNoodle26 June 2000Very 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. -
MovieAddict201619 August 2003"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 -
matija-trost16 April 2002I 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:) -
km004a553419 January 2003There 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! -
Silverzero19 June 2003"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.
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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) -
Firstly, how does IMDB pick the User comment on the main film page for 'Fathers' Day'? For, if I hadn't seen the film already, I would have gotten the spoiler on Mel Gibson's cameo next to the "plot outline". So much for IMDB's strict guidelines!
That aside, the film sucked. Pure and simple! Had to be one of the most stupidest films I've seen in a long time. Now, I'm a big fan of both Robin Williams and Billy Crystal, and I thought the pairing them together would make comedy heaven. Wrong! Instead, we get a stupid movie involving two guys in many unfunny moments who think they are the father of some snotty teen that has gone missing. 'Fathers' Day' is a remake of a French film called 'Les Comperes' which I haven't seen. It seems remaking French films is something Hollywood always tries to pass as their own. Well, at least 'True Lies' was good.
Ivan Reitman, the director of 'Ghostbusters', 'Twins' and 'Kindergarten Cop' hasn't really had a hit in the late 90s. 'Fathers' Day' is a blemish in his resume, and proves that pairing two great comedians in Williams and Crystal doesn't work if the material and plot is completely stupid. ***POSSIBLE MAJOR SPOILER*** And don't get me started on the ending where Nastassja Kinski doesn't get what she deserves. I mean, veins would be throbbing from my head if my ex-girlfriend did that to me- and it also throws the whole premise of the film as "pointless"! END SPOILER. Along with the unfunny jokes, and stupid plot, 'Fathers' Day' is really an annoying experience.
*1/2 out of *****! -
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.
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o_cedar1 February 2003I 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!!!
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theowinthrop29 October 2007In 1983 Francis Veber did a delightful comedy called LES COMPERES, starring Gerard Depardieu and Pierre Richard, in which an ex-girlfriend approaches both men separately to help find her run-away son. It seems that, although raised by the girlfriend and her actual husband, she claims the boy was the son of either Depardieu or Richard (although she doesn't mention either of them to the other). That film follows both bungling potential daddies as they pursue their "son" and finally bring him back to his mother and her husband.
American films (especially comedies) will occasionally steal ideas from French or other foreign cinemas - especially the French. It think it is more common with France because of the symbiotic relationship between our love-hate fascination with French culture, and their deep appreciation for American films. In any event, it took fourteen years before LES COMPERES was produced in the U.S. as FATHER'S DAY. It is special in several ways besides being based on such a successful French film. It is also (so far) the only co-starring vehicle for Billy Crystal and his friend and collaborator Robin Williams. They (of course) have the roles of Depardieu and Richard (although their jobs are different).
The story is similar. Scott Andrews (Charles Hoffmeier) has an argument about his girlfriend Nikki Trainer (Haylee Johnson), and runs away with her. His mother Collette (Nastassja Kinski) decides to track down two old boyfriends that she had affairs with seventeen years before (the same age as Scott). One is Jack Lawrence, a successful lawyer (Crystal) and the other is an over-emotional, suicidal failed writer and actor (and mime) named Dale Putley (Williams). To both she says that the boy is actually there son. She keeps tight raps on this, but eventually her husband Bob (Bruce Greenwood) overhears her talking on the phone with Jack, and decides he must find the boy before his two rivals do. This is a change from the original movie, as the doings of Depardieu and Richards as friendly rivals was sufficiently funny by itself.
Complicating Williams' search is his own emotional problems. But complicating Crystal's is that his lawyer is very busy, and on his third (presumably happy) marriage to Carrie (Julia Louis-Dreyfus). Jack turns down Colette's request at first - but when he is on a legal assignment in San Francisco (where Scott is supposed to be) he decides to get involved. Quickly it becomes apparent that Jack is far more efficient at getting to anywhere on this search than Dale - he won't take crap from anyone (as he does very effectively show with Nikki's father Russ Trainor (Charles Rocket) by almost crippling him when he starts being threatening. Dale (on the other hand) almost gets beaten up by Russ a couple of minutes afterward.
The chemistry of the leads is the big plus here as they act and react with each other. At one point, when Crystal starts telling Hoffmeyer a story about his own youth, he just opens up the anecdote by saying "When I was ten years old my father took me to the circus". Williams quietly says, "That's a fascinating story.", as Crystal looks at him like he is crazy. Later, when it turns out the story really doesn't hold up too well as illustrating anything, Williams reassures Hoffmeyer "I didn't understand it either."
The sequences include crashing several rock concerts, dealing with two dangerous drug dealers, bringing Hoffmeyer down to earth when he learns the girl of his dreams is not someone to die for, and reassuring Dreyfus that those crazy antics in Crystal's hotel room that she overheard on the phone were not anything to break their marriage over. There is some nice little throw away moments, such as Crystal at a legal deposition, learning from a seedy gentleman that two ruinous disasters at his previous businesses (a fire and a gas explosion - both after midnight) were "acts of God". Williams rehearsing in various costumes how to introduce himself to his "son" (including a rap artist, a sophisticate in a robe, and an eastern spiritual philosopher) is worth looking at. And then there is the cameo by Mel Gibson, as the ultimately stoned face piercing expert.
The conclusion of the film is different from the French original. Some might think that a weakness, but I find it fascinating for giving an out to both men from a no-win situation. The change does not prevent the film from being entertaining to the viewer, if not as good as the original. -
sclaybou1 July 2005I 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...
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Mort-313 August 2001When 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!
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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. -
SKG-219 February 1999Billy 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.
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seveb-2517923 August 2019I 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 -
If any of you have seen "Les Comperes" you know what I an talking about. This movie is just an absolute joke. Sure the big name talents make it seem like a great movie, but all in all it's just a waste of time. The storyline just doesn't seem as great. A kid runs away to follow a band. At least "Les Comperes" was funny. This was just *sighs* boring. Besides, Gerard Depardieu kicked the crap out of Francois Pignon so much it was just hilarious. This was just a watered down version of a pretty good French comedy. For once the French have done something better than us. It is a sign of things to come. Soon the U.S. will just bow down to the French as the better ones in movie making. Tis a shame!!!!!
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So I decided to do some reviews for Robin Williams films as I am a fan of his ever since I was a kid. I was gutted when I found out he passed away on Monday by suicide and here is my review of the 1997 flick Father's Day. Now I didn't see this in a very long time so let's dive in. The film is about two men who have one thing in common they both have a son and they have NO idea which one of them really is the young boy's father So they track him down to find out who's son he belongs to Jack Lawerence played by Billy Crystal or Dale played by Robin Williams?
Overall it was a hilarious film with a great cast especially Williams and Crystal who became best mates after this film was made. If you were a fan of Robin Williams then check it out as it's enjoyable and I notice that the plot of this film was used in Dumb and Dumber 2 with Lyod and Harry with their daughter who they had to track down.
Updated 11th January 2019 -
redfearnb17 March 2006Father's Day is a cute movie with a few cameo appearances from Hollywood personalities. Sugar Ray plays several songs and Mel Gibson is a body piercer. Two men find each other as they search for a young boy who might be either of their sons. The son ends up getting in trouble as he follows Sugar Ray around to different cities and is saved from his problems by Dale (Billy Crystal) and Jack (Robin Williams). By the end of the movie, it turns out that neither of the men are the father of Scott and that Scott's mother was only using Dale and Jack to find her son for her. Both men return to their lives, happier and they both have their own women to share their future with. Its a happy, feel good movie with some good humor from Crystal and Williams.
Pretty good movie, but nothing amazing to go out of your way to view. Its pretty much a Saturday afternoon sit down, relax, and have lunch kind of movie. -
nogodnomasters25 July 2018When Scott (Charlie Hofheimer) goes missing, his mother (Nastassja Kinski) informs two of her former lovers that he could be their son. Jack (Billy Crystal) is a lawyer and is skeptical but when his business takes him to San Francisco, he looks for Scott, only to run into the extremely neurotic Dale (Robin Williams) who believes Scott is also his son.
Robin's neurotic character allows him to go through his various character routine which made him a star in the 80's. Together with Crystal they make for a pretty good film comedy duo. The plot was fairly stale and only the strength of Williams and Crystal pulled this thing through. 3 1/2 stars.
PARENTAL GUIDE: No f-bomb, sex, or nudity. Some minor sex talk. A soft PG-13 rating. -
elshikh419 June 2012Let 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. -
peddlerwhospoke23 January 2005Best 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.
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brchthethird13 November 2014FATHER'S DAY, starring Robin Williams and Billy Crystal, is fairly middling as comedies go. Still, the chemistry between Williams and Crystal is very good and both deliver a number of laughs with their own brands of comedy. Billy Crystal is the straight-laced, sarcastic type while Robin Williams is a high-strung, emotional wreck with a penchant for improvisation (his character is an out-of-work playwright/actor).
The premise of the movie is that a woman (Nastassja Kinski) calls and tells each of them that they're the father of her 16-year-old son who just ran away. Then they go on the road in search of him and hijinks ensue. While the concept is rather far-fetched, if you throw plausibility out the window this movie can be enjoyable. Both of the leads get to revel in their schticks for what is essentially a paycheck gig, but it still looked like they had fun working with each other.
The acting across the board is OK, but this type of movie doesn't really require too much anyway. The most important facet is the humor, and for the most part this movie does fine. A lot of the gags were lowbrow and borderline tasteless, but for what it's worth I laughed quite a bit. That being said, there is one gag involving a porto-potty that was drawn out a little too long.
On the negative side, there was a couple of things that disturbed me a little bit, considering Robin Williams recent death, namely, a couple of suicide jokes. When an actor plays a role, certain elements of their real life inevitably make it into the character, and there were some interesting comparisons one could make between Robin's character in this movie and his personality in real life. What really shocked me, however, was his introductory scene which shows him about to blow his brains out with a pistol. On the lighter side, there was a completely out-of-the-blue cameo in the last act that really threw me for a loop.
Generally speaking, this is yet another one of Robin Williams' lesser comedies. It takes a ridiculous concept, stretches it a little too thin and piles on lowbrow gags, but it was still pretty funny in spite of itself. -
namashi_127 February 2010Ivan 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.