Father Figures

Comedy is likely a polarizing genre for a film. What one person finds funny, the person in the next seat may think is stupid, or just unfunny.

The Martian - the hit movie starring Matt Damon - won Best Musical or Comedy Motion Picture from the Golden Globes in 2016. Was there much singing? Was it really award-winning funny?

The R-rated film, Father Figures, is probably one of those polarizing comedy movies. The humour will not be for everybody.     
There was an early Digital release on March 20. The Blu-ray and DVD debuts on April 3.

BATTLE

The reaction to Father Figures was on the negative side with critics. The audience did not show up either, as the domestic gross came to $17 million. To add in the worldwide total, it maxed things out around $25 million.  

(Side note: the film was originally called Bastards.)

The release of Star Wars: The Last Jedi - only a week before - already added to the battle for Father Figures. 

The project marked the directorial debut of Lawrence Sher, he was the cinematographer on movies like The Hangover trilogy. The screenplay was written by Justin Malen. 

Fraternal twins Peter (Ed Helms), and Kyle (Owen Wilson) discover from their mother (Glen Close), she been keeping a secret for many years. The stories Peter and Kyle were told about their father, wasn’t their real father. This reveal sends the two brothers on the road trip to find out the truth.

VERDICT

Would I buy this film? No.

It’s tough to knock the cast though. To act along Helms, Wilson, and Close (Oscar nominee) - there’s appearances from comedian Katt Williams; J.K. Simmons (Oscar winner); NFL Hall of Fame quarterback-actor Terry Bradshaw; Ving Rhames, June Squibb (Oscar nominee); Harry Shearer and Christopher Walken (Oscar winner.)  

I have to say the humour in Father Figures is not for me. I didn’t laugh once. If anything, the movie does surprisingly better on the drama side of the story. In my perspective anyway.   

Helms and Wilson seem to have good chemistry. They offer a good balance of two brothers with different viewpoints on how they grew up. 

Close plays their mother, although not prominent in the movie, she looms large in the story. The twins may learn more than they ever wanted to know about their mother, but she showcases her acting skills when everything is finally revealed.   

I was curious enough to finish the 113-minute road trip. It’s not one I would watch again anytime soon. 

SPECIAL FEATURES OVERVIEW

The standard DVD only has the deleted scenes.

Deleted Scenes (21 minutes, 9 seconds)

- The scenes may add extra context to the story - like Peter and Kyle as kids or Helms arguing with a security guard. But they add on to a film which already is at a suitable length.  

Hilarious Gag Reel (4 minutes and 26 seconds)   

- There’s comedian Katt Williams taking up the most time in this section. It extends a story he tells police in the movie. (Improvisation? I don’t know.) There is a sequence with Ed Helms, Wilson and J.K. Simmons having a hard time keeping it together. And Helms and Wilson singing.  

Hilarious Gag Reel? Hard to say.

Warner Brothers Home Entertainment