World's Greatest Dad - VOD Review

Robin Williams Stars in Dark Comedy as Lonely Papa of Obnoxious Son

Sep 1, 2009 Denise Castillón

Comedian and actor Bobcat Goldthwait, best known for his cutting humor and high-pitched voice, has turned his career to writing and directing independent films.

The stand-up comic’s dramatic black comedy, World’s Greatest Dad, combines sexual wickedness with the emotional warmth and witty brilliance of Robin Williams as the mockingly labeled father.

Worshipping False Heroes

Lance Clayton (Williams), an unpublished writer, has settled down as a private school instructor and the single parent of his teenaged son, Kyle (Daryl Sabara). Scholastically-challenged Kyle is also a student at the high school, where his father teaches an unpopular poetry course.

Lance’s personal loneliness is slightly abated by a secret affair with a colleague (Alexie Gilmore) and an awkward friendship with an equally-isolated, aged neighbor (Mitzi McCall). Whereas any type of relationship with his hateful teenager proves a difficult undertaking.

Due to his repellent personality and sexual lewdness, the foul-mouthed Kyle is an outcast at school. He would be totally friendless if not for Andrew (Evan Martin), who rather suffer Kyle’s negative attention than the crueler neglect of his alcoholic mother.

Kyle’s proclivity for auto-erotic pleasure results in his accidental death, which his shocked dad re-stages as a suicide. A grieving Lance completes the scenario by authoring his son’s uncharacteristically sensitive farewell note. Using creative license, a loving father re-invents his odious child as a tragically misunderstood outsider.

Treacherous Road to Fame and Fortune

Kyle’s "suicide" message is deceitfully obtained and published in the school newspaper. Suddenly, the once-ignored teacher finds himself surrounded in genuine empathy from both students and faculty. Attentive pupils now fill his vacant class; eager to find an emotional connection with their former classmate.

The success and effectiveness of the bogus suicide statement inspires the failed novelist to fabricate his son’s journal. The tempting chance for fame and popularity is finally obtainable. However ill-gained, it would be reaped out of the father’s personal tragedy.

Cast and Crew of World’s Greatest Dad

World’s Greatest Dad stars Robin Williams, Daryl Sabara (Spy Kids series, Rob Zombie's Halloween), Alexie Gilmore (Definitely, Maybe), Evan Martin, Mitzi McCall, Henry Simmons (Madea's Family Reunion), Geoff Pierson, Tony V, Jermaine Williams, Lorraine Nicholson and Zach Sanchez; with a special appearance of Bruce Hornsby as himself.

Written and directed by Bobcat Goldthwait (Sleeping Dogs Lie, Shakes the Clown). Cinematography by Horacio Marquinez. Edited by Jason Stewart. Music supervised by Linda Cohen.

Produced by Tim Perell, Howard Gertler, Richard Kelly and Sean McKittrick. Co-produced by Sara de Sa Rego. Executive producer is Jennifer Roth. Released by Magnolia Pictures.

(Running Time: 99 min)

(Rated: R for Language, Crude and Sexual Content, Some Drug Use, and Disturbing Images.)

The copyright of the article World's Greatest Dad - VOD Review in Romantic Films/Comedies is owned by Denise Castillón. Permission to republish World's Greatest Dad - VOD Review in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.