The In-Laws
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Movie Reviews of The In-Laws
Movie Review: Brilliant Comedy Classic
Summary: 5 Stars
A recent Hollywood effort starring Michael Douglas and Albert Brooks attempted to remake the classic 1979 Alan Arkin/Peter Falk film "The In-Laws." I questioned why we even needed a remake of this hilarious film. It's an insult, I think, to even attempt to improve on the first version; I didn't even need to see the remake to know it was nowhere near as funny as the original. How could it be? Arkin and Falk possessed the type of chemistry that is rarely reproducible. My awareness of the new version planted in my mind the necessity of once again viewing the original film, and again Arkin and Falk made me laugh repeatedly at the pointless shenanigans perpetrated onscreen. If you have never seen "The In-Laws," go to the video store or buy a copy of the DVD right away. This film is a clean, family oriented comedy (rated PG, but it does include a flag with some nudity which is so hilarious you can let it pass) that so rarely appears today. It proves that you don't need profanity or adolescent toilet humor to bring up the belly laughs."The In-Laws" opens with an intricate armored car robbery, as a group of thieves steal currency engravings from the United States Treasury Department. The leader of the gang then takes the engravings to Vince (Peter Falk) as part of the plan. Vince cannot finish his dealings with the thieves because his son will soon marry the daughter of Sheldon Kornpett, a dentist living in a beautiful house near New York City. In fact, Vince must go over to Sheldon's house that very evening for dinner in order to meet the bride's parents for the first time. Everyone Vince knows, including his family, thinks he works aboard as a businessman, but he is really a CIA operative. When Vince encounters some difficulties in his latest operation, he enlists the unwilling and unknowing Sheldon as his co-conspirator. The two men bumble through a series of madcap adventures in New York and Central America before finally arriving just in time for their children's wedding bearing the most unusual of gifts.
Nearly every scene in "The In-Laws" contains hearty laughs. Alan Arkin does a great job as the nervous Sheldon Kornpett, a man whose life is finally where he wants it and who isn't about to tolerate any disruption to his well ordered schedule. Peter Falk riffs off his Columbo character in his role as Vince, a guy who always seems to fly by the seat of his pants but who is actually an intelligence operative of the highest competence. Watching the two verbally spar with each other is pure joy, especially since Sheldon spends most of the movie trying to figure out what new nightmare awaits around the corner while Vince constantly strokes and soothes his unwilling partner's personality. Ed Begley, Jr plays a CIA section chief and Richard Libertini turns in a short but truly brilliant performance as General Garcia, an off his rocker leader of the small Central American country where Vince and Sheldon must go in order to stop an evil that threatens the United States. There are so many uniquely funny moments in "The In-Laws" that it is difficult to discuss them because they depend so heavily on the context for their humor:
Bird-like Tsetse flies and the Guacamole Act of 1917.
"My car has flames!"
Any scene with Senor Pepe ("Aw, look Shel; he wants a drink of water").
Benny and Billy, the beloved pilots flying the plane to Scranton, Pennsylvania.
Recognizing a trip to Scranton, Pennsylvania shouldn't involve traveling over the ocean.
"General, can we get a sedative for Shel?"
And of course, the most memorable scene in "The In-Laws," the one scene everyone remembers long after watching this film: "Serpentine, Shel, serpentine!" The first time I watched this comedy classic was with a friend in the 1980s. For weeks, even months afterwards one of us would randomly shout out "serpentine," which caused the other person to engage in a rapid series of erratic running maneuvers. We would laugh at the quizzical expressions on the faces of others who watched us without knowing where we got the shtick. When I saw that the DVD release came with a commentary track from director Arthur Hiller, writer Andrew Bergman, Alan Arkin, and Peter Falk; I listened to the remarks on only two scenes: those involving General Garcia's alter ego Senor Pepe and the serpentine bit. It is nice to know these guys still found this stuff funny all these years later, and the commentary also cleared up a question I had for years about this movie: were Arkin and Falk really close to laughing out loud at Libertini's antics? The answer is a resounding yes, that Richard Libertini did play his role with a view to cracking up his co-stars.
"The In-Laws" really is a great way to spend a couple of hours. Creating a remake of this movie was an exercise in futility since the original is readily available for viewing. The picture transfer looks great, the sound is good, and the addition of the commentary and a trailer for the movie make this version a no-brainer. Get out there and watch the 1979 version of "The In-Laws." You will be glad you did, and you will learn the importance of proper serpentine techniques, too.
Movie Review: Serpentine! Serpentine!
Summary: 5 Stars
This is, quite simply, one of the funniest movies ever made. For those used to Peter Falk as Lieutenant Columbo, watch him master the comic genre in his brilliant portrayal of Vince Ricardo, a CIA agent gone (apparently) insane. The straight-man counterpoint is Manhattan dentist, Sheldon Kornpett, played to utter perfection my Alan Arkin.
The plot is far too convoluted to even begin to recount, but the premise is that these two unlikely characters are about to become in-laws. In the days leading up to the wedding, more goes wrong than can possibly be imagined: there are dealings with a lunatic South American dictator, a chartered corporate jet flown by Falk and two Chinese gentlemen, and a dinner party capped off with the most ludicrous story about tsetse flies carrying off children in their beaks.
The pacing and direction from Arthur Hiller is first-rate, and the story is never slow from the first frame to the last. Although I love Falk as the loopy CIA man, I think the real genius in the film is Arkin, who makes an amazing foil. The subtlety of his performance (especially his masterful facial expressions) is a landmark in comedic cinema.
The DVD features several great extras, of which by far my favorite is the commentary track by Falk, Arkin, and Hiller.
This is pure comedy gold, and should have never been a candidate for a re-make, as it could not possibly be improved upon. I first saw "The In-Laws" in the theater, but I have watched it many times since, and it never gets old. I give this film my highest possible endorsement.
Movie Review: An all-time classic!
Summary: 5 Stars
Finally! This is available on DVD. I doubt there will be more than one pressing of this classic original since most people gravitate toward the new version for some inexplicable reason, so I'd snap this one up as soon as possible. I laughed my hind-end off years ago when I first saw this. It was an understated example of comedic timing and brilliant acting, and to my mind (though I haven't seen the remake, since I can't figure out why anybody would remake something that's already perfect, much like the new "Psycho") this is the only version worth owning. This is shown in widescreen format, thus preserving the entire picture you'd see in the theater, with nothing cropped off the sides to magnify the center part to fill the entire TV screen. For any widescreen 'newbies' out there, this is the only way to see a film. You don't know what you're missing until you compare a full-screen film to a widescreen version. With full-screen sure you get a bigger picture, but the sides are cut off in order to do it. There, I got that off my chest. Anyway, I was glad to see this release is in fact widescreen. There's also a commentary track featuring Peter Falk, Alan Arkin, Director Anthony Hiller and Writer Andrew Bergman. This feature alone is worth the (very reasonable) cost of admission and provides tons of insight behind the scenes. Truly a must have for any collection!Movie Review: The Greatest Comedy EVER
Summary: 5 Stars
I have watched this movie over 50 times since it came out the year I graduated from college. It is almost a sickness. I can literally quote the movie verbatum as I watch. Candidly, it has more one liners that my buddies and I still use almost daily than any movie I have seen.
*Serpintine
*What a Guy
*Hookers?...no thank you General, thats very kind of you but we
really want to wrap this thing up
*yessss...it's better than a statue
*the jungle...we call it the bush, they have sitezi flys there
the size of eagles
*they are protected against pilferage under the provisions of
the guacamole act of 1817
*and on and on and on
Get the movie, you will be using some of these lines the next day.
The new version of the InLaws from 2005 was good, featuring Michael Douglas and Albert Brooks, but it can't hold a candle to the old one. Peter Faulk and Alan Arkin should have both won academy awards. It is the best part ever for each of these legendary actors.
Get the movie, it is a killer.
JP "Gus" Godsey
Virginia Beach, VA
Movie Review: If You Like Comedy And You Don't Own This, You're Missing..
Summary: 5 Stars
...One Of The Funniest Movies Ever, Period. Alan Arkin Can Be One Of The Comedic Expressionist Of Our Time, Or Of All Time! His Ability To Convey Humor So Effortlessly With Just His Facial Expressions Is One Of The Reasons Why This Is A Must Buy For Every Fan Of Comedy. (Check His Bit Part Out In America's Sweethearts For An Example Of His Genius And How Another Director Recognized This Rare Talent!). Who Could Ever Forget His Role In Catch 22? Peter Falk's Ability To Play To His Strength (Deeper/More Involved Than He Superficially Appears - Sounds Like Columbo Doesn't It?) Is Just Another Reason For Owning This Great Work Of Comedic Art. Falk Said Of This Role That He Plays, "The Wacko Of The Century". And He Plays It To The Tee, Deep But Wacky! The Script Is Perfect, The Supporting Cast Is Truly Superb (The El Presidente Meeting Is Priceless, As Is The Firing Squad Piece!).
Don't Delay, Buy It And Show It To Friends Who Are Fans Of Comedy! They'll Appreciate You For It! Also, After You Buy It, Request It On DVD. The Studio (WB) Hasn't Made It Available Yet On DVD!