Review of Dirty Grandpa (2016) by Johnny T — 03 May 2016

Dirty Grandpa boasts one great thing, and one great thing only. The chemistry between Robert DeNiro and Zac Efron is much better than I was expecting it to be, and I really bought into their troubled relationship which each other. There are a few moments of hilarity, but most of the film seems merely grotesque. It's baffling as to what draws De Niro to such material when he should be playing Willy Loman or King Lear. If you would rather spare yourself the torture of having the image of the legendary, Oscar-winning actor tarnished for good, then you are advised to look for your dirty laughs elsewhere. The screenplay, by John M. Phillips, is the written equivalent of a toddler discovering curse words. Yet some riffs draw chuckles. It says a lot about this robustly filthy but shambolic comedy that there is a running gag featuring Zac Efron getting repeatedly punched in the scrotum, from behind, by Robert De Niro. The shock value of the dialogue - and it is staggeringly rude at times - is neutered by a rambling lack of narrative drive and, ultimately, a sentimental justification that feels disingenuous. The film tries to emulate The Hangover and Bad Grandpa, but it's far from any of those. If nothing else, Dirty Grandpa is consistent: it maintains a tone of aggressive charmlessness from start to finish.

VERDICT: "Not So Hot" - [Negative Reaction] These films are truly terrible films. They are not the worst things ever made, but they are definitely awful and should not be seen by anyone. (Films that are rated 1.5 or 2 stars).