World's Greatest Dad

Movies have been using pop songs to help convey emotions long since the era of 'Garden State' and 'Donnie Darko' like cinema. Would 'The Graduate' be as good of a movie if we didn't have Simon and Garfunkel's classic songs behind the key emotional scenes? If I was a magic eight ball it would read, 'all signs point to no.' The same can be said about 'World's Greatest Dad,' from writer/director/high pitch voice guy, Bobcat Goldthwait. There are about 5 music sequences in this overlong comedy that help elevate the emotions to another level, especially one truly haunting scene with The Deadly Syndrome's 'I Hope I Become a Ghost.'

I wanted to love 'World's Greatest Dad' but really, I just liked it a lot. It got me thinking about how you can make an effective low budget film, land a big star and get a bit of national attention for a edgy thought provoking dark comedy. I'd go into the plot details on the film, yet the trailer specifically goes out of its way to avoid to tell audiences what the film is about. What it does advertise is dirty Bob Saget like humor and it delivers on that front, with a wonderfully reserved performance by Robin Williams along with a pretty heavy message by Goldthwait that doesn't go into Hallmark/Lifetime preachiness.

Dobler Rating: B

Final Thought:

I'd like to say RUN out to see this flick in theaters now, but really, this is the type of movie that plays better on DVD. Everything in it feels 'small' and perfect to watch in the comfort of your own home.