World's Greatest Dad
by Bobcat Goldthwait
List Price:
Our Price: $4.95
You Save: $10.03 (67%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $0.21 (click here)
Category: DVD
See more DVD details
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
DVD details
Actor: Alexie Gilmore, Daryl Sabara, Robin WilliamsDirector: Bobcat Goldthwait
Brand: MHE
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language)
Format: AC-3, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD, NTSC, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.85:1
Running Time: 99 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2009-12-08
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Model: 10236
Studio: Magnolia Home Entertainment
DVD Reviews of World's Greatest Dad
DVD Review: An Amusing Dark Comedy
Summary: 4 Stars
Robin Williams stars in World's Greatest Dad which carries a misleading title that sounds like another family, which I can assure you could not be further from the truth. The film is a dark comedy from controversial director Bob Goldthwait and it's not afraid to bring out some true dysfunction in its characters.
Williams plays Lance Clayton, a high-school teacher thoroughly unhappy with his life. His aspirations of being a writer are dashed with every rejection letter he receives, he watches helplessly as the pretty, young teacher he's been with seems to be falling for a younger, more popular teacher, and (worst of all) his son is an unlikeable pervert. The first time we see his son Kyle (Daryl Sabara, from the Spy Kids movies), Lance has caught him attempting autoerotic asphyxiation. Everything changes when Lance finds Kyle dead from the aforementioned act and sets the scene to look like a standard suicide, along with a fake note.
It's this that puts what Goldthwait is trying for in motion. When "Kyle's" suicide note goes viral at the school, the entire student body (who once despised him) sees him as a hero. This kind of story is particularly relevant considering its release this year. Does any of this sound vaguely similar to the death of Michael Jackson?
World's Greatest Dad is certainly in a league of its own, as far as 2009-movies go. It's a dark comedy, but has just enough of a light tone to make it commercially accessible. I think I would've enjoyed it more than I did without the lighter tone, but I do appreciate the way it presents it's characters. Kyle is portrayed as an unintelligent, foul, thoroughly unlikeable character. Lance is a little more complicated; he cared about his son, but is very much driven by his own selfishness.
Williams is great here, finding a comfortable medium between his manic energy and his more subdued, quiet persona. He plays a character here that is so unhappy; he's right on the edge of sanity. It's one of the best performances I've seen from him in a while.
World's Greatest Dad is a flawed, but darkly amusing film that is frequently hilarious. It's not for all tastes and many will complain that they couldn't empathize with any of the character's, but I recommend just trying to enjoy it based on it's comedic merit. Williams' final eulogy for Kyle is nearly worth the price. While it gets tedious, I do recommend the movie as long as you're aware of what you're about to watch.
GRADE: B
Description of World's Greatest Dad
Robin Williams stars as Lance Clayton, a man who has learned to settle. He dreamed of being a rich and famous writer, but has only managed to make it as an unpopular high school poetry teacher. His only son Kyle (Daryl Sabara) is an insufferable jackass who won't give his father the time of day. He is dating Claire (Alexie Gilmore), the school's adorable art teacher, but she doesn't want to get serious, or even acknowledge publicly that they are dating. Then, in the wake of a freak accident, Lance suffers the worst tragedy and greatest opportunity of his life. He is suddenly faced with the possibility of all the fame, fortune and popularity he ever dreamed of, if he can only live with the knowledge of how he got there.Bestsellers in DVD
![The Story of Jeremiah [VHS] Image](/images/noimg.gif)
The Story of Jeremiah [VHS]Vision Video; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Wresting With God [VHS]by Vision Video
Vision Video; Published: 1990-10-01; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Price in other shops:
Study Bible Video with Workbook [VHS]Spring Arbor Distributors; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $7.95
Price in other shops:
Tempo:Childrens TV Favourites Video [VHS]HarperCollins Audio; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $9.17
Price in other shops:
Tempo.Herbs:Parseley'Sb/ Party Video [VHS]HarperCollins Audio; VHS Tape; VHS Video
![Strike the Original Match [VHS] Image](/images/Strike-the-Original-Match-VHS-0001374079-X.jpg)
Strike the Original Match [VHS]New Liberty Films; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Price in other shops:
![Medjugorje The Miracles and the Message [VHS] Image](/images/Medjugorje-The-Miracles-and-the-Message-VHS-0001373293-X.jpg)
Medjugorje The Miracles and the Message [VHS]JPN Film Production; Release date: 1995-12-15; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $29.99
Mayo Clinic Echocardiography Review Course for Boards and Recertification DVD 2008by Mayo
DVD
Price in other shops:
Pediatric Diagnostic Imaging DVD: Single Userby Oakstone
DVD
Price in other shops:
Cost Accounting [VHS]by Charles T. Horngren, George Foster, Srikant M. Datar, Howard Teall
Pearson Canada, Toronto; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Similar DVDs, VHS Video, Audio CDs
Changing LanesAFFLECK,BEN; Release date: 2002-09-10; DVD
Best price: $2.98
Price in other shops:
The Best of TimesLions Gate; Release date: 1999-02-02; DVD
Best price: $1.75
Price in other shops:
The Night ListenerBuena Vista Home Video; Release date: 2007-01-09; Published: 2007-01-01; DVD
Best price: $1.70
Price in other shops:
Moscow on the HudsonSony; Release date: 2001-11-27; DVD
Best price: $4.39
Price in other shops:
The SurvivorsWILLIAMS,ROBIN; Release date: 2002-04-23; DVD
Best price: $8.08
Price in other shops:
The Burning PlainMagnolia Pictures; Release date: 2010-01-12; DVD
Best price: $6.96
Price in other shops:
The Final CutWILLIAMS,ROBIN; Release date: 2005-03-22; DVD
Best price: $1.99
Price in other shops:
Shakes the ClownSony; Release date: 2000-04-04; DVD
Best price: $6.94
Price in other shops:
Sleeping Dogs LieFirst Look Pictures; Release date: 2007-04-10; DVD
Best price: $3.86
Price in other shops:
One Hour Photo (Widescreen Edition)Fox; Release date: 2003-02-18; DVD
Best price: $1.58
Price in other shops: