Why "About My Father" is the Movie We Didn't Need

Hollywood has done it again, folks. They've managed to churn out yet another film that nobody asked for, and this time it's "About My Father." Released in 2023, this cinematic masterpiece (note the sarcasm) stars Robert De Niro and Sebastian Maniscalco, and it takes place in the good old U.S. of A. The plot revolves around a young man introducing his immigrant father to his fiancée's wealthy family over a holiday weekend. Sounds like a recipe for disaster, right? Well, it is, but not in the way you might think.

First off, let's talk about the casting. Robert De Niro, a legendary actor, is once again typecast as the grumpy old man. It's as if Hollywood can't imagine him in any other role these days. And then there's Sebastian Maniscalco, a comedian who seems to be trying his hand at acting. The chemistry between the two is as awkward as a vegan at a barbecue. It's almost as if the filmmakers thought, "Hey, let's put these two together and see what happens!" Spoiler alert: not much.

The storyline is as predictable as a sunrise. The film tries to tackle the age-old theme of cultural clashes and generational differences, but it does so with all the subtlety of a sledgehammer. The jokes are tired, the situations are clichéd, and the characters are one-dimensional. It's as if the writers took every stereotype they could think of and threw them into a blender, hoping for a smoothie but ending up with a lumpy mess.

Now, let's address the elephant in the room: the political undertones. The film tries to make a statement about the American Dream and the immigrant experience, but it does so in a way that feels forced and disingenuous. It's as if the filmmakers wanted to check off a box on their "woke" checklist without actually saying anything meaningful. The result is a film that feels more like a lecture than entertainment.

The setting of the film is another missed opportunity. Taking place in a picturesque American town, the film could have explored the beauty and diversity of the country. Instead, it opts for the same tired backdrop of a wealthy, WASP-y family that we've seen a million times before. It's as if the filmmakers were too afraid to step outside their comfort zone and show something new and exciting.

And let's not forget the timing. Released in a year when audiences are craving originality and fresh perspectives, "About My Father" feels like a relic from a bygone era. It's as if the filmmakers were stuck in a time warp, unable to see that the world has moved on from these tired tropes and narratives.

In the end, "About My Father" is a film that tries to be everything to everyone but ends up being nothing to anyone. It's a missed opportunity to tell a compelling story about family, culture, and identity. Instead, it serves as a reminder that Hollywood still has a long way to go when it comes to telling diverse and meaningful stories. So, if you're looking for a film that will challenge your thinking and offer a fresh perspective, you might want to look elsewhere. This one is best left on the shelf.