I wanted to laugh while watching this movie, and I actually did laugh ... when it was over ... from relief. All of the ingredients were there: great cast, the same writer as the original -- Andrew Bergman. But every line fell flatter than a ruined soufflé. Plus, the plot wasn't as plausible as the original with Peter Falk and Alan Arkin (1979).
Granted, the original begins with a long scene that is somewhat difficult to follow, but eventually every viewer is on board and enjoys the show. And there's one of the greatest spy lines of the 20th Century: "You knew Jack Kennedy?" "Bay of Pigs. My idea." I laughed so long and loud during the summer of 1979, I was almost kicked out of the theater.
Hollywood really needs to think about their inability to make quality movies overall, much less remakes. Prior to VHS and DVD sales, top grossing movies were re-released from time to time. This should have happened with the In-laws. The story is just as connected with our world today as it was in the late 70s, and the chemistry between Falk and Arkin is superior to Douglas and Brooks.
And, there are thousands of novels, non-fiction books and screen plays out there waiting to be adapted to movies. The original In-laws was an inspired piece of writing and acting. Hollywood needs to go after more "original" stories instead of sloppy retreads! No wonder theaters are so empty these days.
Granted, the original begins with a long scene that is somewhat difficult to follow, but eventually every viewer is on board and enjoys the show. And there's one of the greatest spy lines of the 20th Century: "You knew Jack Kennedy?" "Bay of Pigs. My idea." I laughed so long and loud during the summer of 1979, I was almost kicked out of the theater.
Hollywood really needs to think about their inability to make quality movies overall, much less remakes. Prior to VHS and DVD sales, top grossing movies were re-released from time to time. This should have happened with the In-laws. The story is just as connected with our world today as it was in the late 70s, and the chemistry between Falk and Arkin is superior to Douglas and Brooks.
And, there are thousands of novels, non-fiction books and screen plays out there waiting to be adapted to movies. The original In-laws was an inspired piece of writing and acting. Hollywood needs to go after more "original" stories instead of sloppy retreads! No wonder theaters are so empty these days.