Review of World's Greatest Dad (2009) by Micah T — 13 Feb 2014

Seriously one of the best, most surprising movies to be released in decades, World's Greatest Dad has steadily become one of my top 10 favorite movies of all time. Don't let the name of the movie or Robin Williams' above-the-title credit fool you into thinking this is a family comedy - of which Williams has unfortunately made a lot of lately. Just wen you think you have an idea on what director/writer Bobcat Goldthwait's magnum opus is about, the plot takes a sudden, dark turn and you're left wondering, "Oh my god. Oh my god. What the hell?!" Then, when you think there's no way comedy can be wrung out of the plot turn, it is - and in glorious, unexpected ways.

This is the last movie I've seen in quite a long while where I had no idea where Act's II and III were leading to. When's the last time YOU watched a movie and were surprised with where the film's plot led? It's a sad rarity in these corporate, moneyed Hollywood days, which only serves to underscore what a terrific film this is.

Through it all, Robin Williams delivers one of his most nuanced comedic characters in Lance Clayton, and you find yourself hating him, pitying him, but most of all rooting for him. And let this be said: you will laugh at plot lines while cringing inside with the darkness of it all: World's Greatest Dad is also one of the greatest dark, satiric comedies we've received in a long while.

By the climax, you are left in breathless disbelief with the whirlwind emotions throughout the film, and - without spoiling anything - confused that you can find yourself seriously liking a resolution that seemed almost impossible.

Five stars for World's Greatest Dad - one of the most under-rated, under-appreciated movies that you still haven't seen.