Read Mixed User Reviews for Why Him?

5

GerardistheWayJan 27, 2017

Why do comedy movies these days have a tendency to assume that taking a no-holds-barred approach to profanity automatically equals laughs? James Franco has shown time and time again that he’s game for whatever weirdness he might have toWhy do comedy movies these days have a tendency to assume that taking a no-holds-barred approach to profanity automatically equals laughs? James Franco has shown time and time again that he’s game for whatever weirdness he might have to portray on-screen, but my main thought towards the actions and dialogue of his Laird Mayhew character wasn’t “My God, this guy is really out there…”. It was in actuality more along the lines of “My God, does he kiss his mother with that mouth?”

I am not opposed to profanity by any stretch, and when used correctly it can be an important element in film dialogue. It can be used to highlight the blue-collar roots of some characters, show the frustrations of others and allow them to vent when things don’t go their way (a scene that comes to mind where this happens in another movie is Clark’s freak-out in “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation”), and just create the idea that this is normal, everyday dialogue between average people. Let’s face it, we all probably swear more than we’d like to admit, and therefore it should be both unsurprising and even a little vindicating to see that reflected in cinema. As stated earlier, however, taboo words are in such abundance that it can make for quite an unpleasant viewing experience—an early instance is when Laird comes out to greet his girlfriend’s family, and drops the F-bomb about five times in a matter of twenty seconds. It just doesn’t fit with the presentation of Laird’s character: regardless of age or generation, I don’t know of any millionaire, much less billionaire, who has such a bad mouth on them that anyone they meet would be disgusted at some of the things coming out of it.

Anyways, moving on to the summary. Ned Fleming (Bryan Cranston, who is totally wasted in his role) is more or less a live-action Hank Hill: he carries a strong positive reputation among his friends, family, and co-workers, who collectively often refer to him as “the Big Cheese”. Yet his old-fashioned ways are hurting the printing business he owns and operates, and his refusal to go digital has caused many of his clients to either switch to online ads or have their printing done for a much lower cost in China. To further complicate matters, his daughter Stephanie (Zoey Deutch), a student at Stanford University in California, has found a boyfriend (Franco) that she hasn’t mentioned to her family whom they learn about abruptly when he interrupts a Facetime call for her dad’s birthday in a memorable way. In order to break the ice, Stephanie invites her mom (Megan Mullally), dad, and younger brother (Griffin Gluck) to California in order to meet Laird and get to know him. From there it’s your typical “dad vs. fiancé” story, with Laird quickly drawing Ned’s ire with his lack of a filter and intention to marry Stephanie (you know, to give the film something resembling a conflict). All sorts of weirdness abounds within Casa de Mayhew with many a celebrity cameo, a Siri-like artificial intelligence voiced by Kaley Cuoco that sounds far too human to be realistic, and a butler/assistant/trainer/estate manager of some sort of European descent played by Keegan-Michael Key.

I feel completely confident in stating that this is probably the most divisive comedy I’ve ever watched in my life. There were moments that almost had me out of my seat (One involves a lie from Laird about the true meaning of the word b*kk*k* that comes back to bite him, and in another Ned humorously quips “I’m going to hell for this” as he guesses passwords related to his daughter’s body while attempting to hack into Laird’s computer), but others felt so forced and unnatural in a desperate attempt to seem over-the-top that they had me cringing involuntarily (perhaps the best example is when a stuffed moose suspended in a tank full of urine explodes onto a fifteen-year-old boy). Tonal inconsistencies are all over the place as well: sappy sentimentality and typical gross-out humor swap places back and forth when, in all honesty, those two elements aren’t really capable of co-existing, as we’ve seen in many an Adam Sandler movie. Also, by the time the picture reaches its conclusion, nothing feels adequately summed up: while the “comedy where everything gets resolved happily at the end” is nothing new, it has no impact because we don’t really care about any of the conflicts. The characters are all cardboard cut-outs of common comedy personalities with no substance or depth to them, and thus nothing they do will make us like them any more or less. Stephanie especially suffers from this: Deutch keeps her likeable enough, but she is given the least development and screen time out of anyone and seems to only be around for Ned and Laird to both fawn and argue over.

Those who come to see this based on the ads will get exactly what they expect. Whether that’s good or bad is up to you. 5/10… Expand

2 of 5 users found this helpful23

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6

dspratlinDec 27, 2016

What’s it about?

Wholesome Stanford student Stephanie (Zoey Deutch) has a new eccentric (and utterly loaded) boyfriend (James Franco), and super-close Daddy (Bryan Cranston) is struggling to come to terms with the latest development in hisWhat’s it about?

Wholesome Stanford student Stephanie (Zoey Deutch) has a new eccentric (and utterly loaded) boyfriend (James Franco), and super-close Daddy (Bryan Cranston) is struggling to come to terms with the latest development in his little girl’s life.

What did I think?

I went in with very low expectations and was actually pleasantly surprised by this crass comedy. The basis for the story has been done to death, sure, but it’s been given a 2016 edge, and the performances, even from Franco, are really good. Special nod to little brother Scotty (played by Griffin Gluck) who is a scream, and to Keegan-Michael Key’s outrageous but lovable Gustave. Watch out, too, for some class lines from Megan Mullally as the mom, Barb. It’s a frankly hilarious script, as long as you don’t mind the f-word. And I don’t. I love it. Not something to watch with your own mom and dad, though, I’d wager.… Expand

2 of 5 users found this helpful23

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5

TheQuietGamerJul 29, 2017

This is basically one of the writers of Meet the Parents (John Hamburg) revisiting that movie's premise, only this time with more raunchy and vulgar humor while also sitting in the director's seat. The result is a movie that feels like aThis is basically one of the writers of Meet the Parents (John Hamburg) revisiting that movie's premise, only this time with more raunchy and vulgar humor while also sitting in the director's seat. The result is a movie that feels like a rehash with lazier humor. Franco, Cranston, and Keegan Michael-Key are all talented people who give this their all. Unfortunately they just aren't given much to work with. Nobody else onscreen really has any presence.

Throughout it's overly long running time we are treated to a bunch of tired gags, constant profanity, crude sex jokes, and shock humor that all feels way too familiar. There are still some chuckle worthy lines here, but when the funniest scene in your movie involves Bryan Cranston sitting on a fancy toilet and not knowing how to work it, you may have a problem. Hamburg just seems to be trying too hard. With a group of people this talented and likable there was a good chance that some more restrained material would have gone a long way to actually delivering laughs. He certainly could have paid more attention to the actual story and relationships of the characters.

Why Him? is a generic, disposable, and mediocre Christmas comedy about meeting potential inlaws. One where talented people are brought down by lackluster writing. often goes too far into ridiculousness with it's humor and really pays no attention to the actual intricacies of forming a relationship with the family of one's significant other. A shame, because that is part of what made Meet the Parents enjoyable. Well, that and a much sharper sense of humor.

5.1/10… Expand

2 of 6 users found this helpful24

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6

DevinAllDec 28, 2016

Recently when to see Why Him and I can honestly say it was not one of the best James Franco movies I have seen. The movie was trying to hard to get the one liners to fly.

1 of 8 users found this helpful17

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4

moonman1994Nov 24, 2017

While Why Him has some genuinely amusing moments these moments are few and far between. While the film is boosted by the performances of the casts the rather juvenile writing makes it so that many strings of jokes miss. Oddly good jokes seemWhile Why Him has some genuinely amusing moments these moments are few and far between. While the film is boosted by the performances of the casts the rather juvenile writing makes it so that many strings of jokes miss. Oddly good jokes seem to be limited to a couple scenes interspaced by a number of awkward moments. By the end of the movie you're still not sure of if you actually like Franco's character or if you just think he's an ass which is a major failing on the movie's part as you are clearly supposed to find him endearing by the end. All and all Why Him? isn't a terrible comedy movie but its not all that great either. You'll definitely laugh but you'll also almost definitely reach the end of the movie and feel unsatisfied. 4.5/10… Expand

1 of 15 users found this helpful114

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6

eagleeyevikingDec 31, 2016

Unoriginal and predictable but nevertheless, full of laugh out loud moments, Why Him? is raunchy, escapist entertainment and a pleasant Christmas surprise.

1 of 22 users found this helpful121

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6

Tss5078Jan 10, 2017

James Franco is raunchy, but sometimes he's so over-the-top, that his films start out funny, and half way through it's just not that funny anymore. When you use your best lines and dirtiest bits in the first half-hour, an hour later, you'reJames Franco is raunchy, but sometimes he's so over-the-top, that his films start out funny, and half way through it's just not that funny anymore. When you use your best lines and dirtiest bits in the first half-hour, an hour later, you're hard pressed to out due yourself. The writers of Why Him? tried to combat this problem, by taking Franco's large than life personality and combining it with the dry humor and physical comedy of Bryan Cranston, and the results were mixed. It's holiday season and Stephanie Fleming (Zoey Deutch), wants her parents to meet her new boyfriend, only she doesn't want to tell them anything about him before hand, because if she did, they probably wouldn't come. They are quiet, reserved suburbanites from Cleveland, and he's a dot com millionaire from California, who loves anything new and unusual. As the two sides of Stephanie's life combine, hilarity ensues or at least it's supposed to. Bryan Cranston and surprisingly young Griffin Gluck had the best lines, and were involved in the funniest moments of this film. As for James Franco, once again, he was too much and he has to realize that every comedic role he takes isn't Pineapple Express. The role here calls for eccentricity, not raunchy and stupid. Right from the start and all the way through, every other word out of his mouth was **** and every stunt he pulled was more immature than the next. It takes a lot away from the film, especially the ending, which was just ridiculous and simply doesn't fit with the rest of the movie. The bottom line, the story is interesting, Bryan Cranston is always great and Griffin Gluck was a riot. The film definitely has it's moments, but every time you think it's about to turn a corner, Franco shows up to drop a million F bomb, talk about his penis, and preform stunts better left to the stoner movies.… Expand

0 of 5 users found this helpful05

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5

handjiveMay 1, 2017

"Why Him" is essentially a remake of about a zillion films based on the tensions of disapproving in-laws. There is a lot to like about Why Him, especially the performances from most of the cast. James Franco plays Laird as a lovable lout. He"Why Him" is essentially a remake of about a zillion films based on the tensions of disapproving in-laws. There is a lot to like about Why Him, especially the performances from most of the cast. James Franco plays Laird as a lovable lout. He pushes the unlikable side of the character pretty hard, but it is obvious form the get-go that he is a basically decent guy who never had a chance to become properly socialized. Bryan Cranston plays the outraged dad in a way that is much more plausible that one would have expected--he is perpetually flabbergasted, of course, but we see him keeping a lid on his emotions in a realistic way. Megan Mulally plays a sleeper role as Mom--initially she is quiet and sheepish in Cranston's shadow, but before long she breaks out the hilarious in an understated way as she warms to the Laird character much faster than dad does. Sadly, Zoey Deutch has to play the daughter Stephanie, the weakest character in the film. Initially Stephanie seems smart and fetching, but eventually we see too many of the required plot points condemn the character to being an unrealistic, unlikable schemer. Cedric the Entertainer turns in a quiet, serviceable performance (shame he has no laugh lines to work with and his character is so dull it is little more than a prop). Keegan-Michael Key rounds out the cast and gives a goofy comedic performance as a sort of butler to Franco's character. The butler role is pure comic relief, and Key makes the most of the opportunity. The whole project hinges on the extreme crassness of the Laird character. The primary weakness of the film is losing the balance between basic realism of the situation as portrayed by the Cranston family versus the unrealism of the Laird character. The situation provides quite a few good laughs (again, mostly from Mulally and Key), but eventually the sheer number of omnipresent F-bombs becomes unsustainable and they conspire to sink the ship. This fatal flaw is virtually identical to the fatal flaw in Sausage Party, another R-rated comedy that featured Franco and writing credits to Jonah Hill--both films had a lot going for them but were sabotaged by heavy use of foul language as a lame substitute for actual humor. Word to the wise: One or two well placed F-bombs can be very funny, but over a hundred of them are never funny and will always stink up a movie.… Expand

0 of 4 users found this helpful04

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5

LeZeeSep 16, 2017

Printing biz meets the app biz! Paper versus digital!

This is not the theme something you could see for the first time. I have seen many classics, probably you would have as well. But the difference is it was a different cast and a bitPrinting biz meets the app biz! Paper versus digital!

This is not the theme something you could see for the first time. I have seen many classics, probably you would have as well. But the difference is it was a different cast and a bit modernised. Modernised means just the story set in the todays technological trend world like almost everything that related to AI we use in our daily life. It's yet to be a lifestyle, I mean new norm. So you can see a few people who had already progressed like we say Silicon/IT guys. That's the background and with the same old concept that the parents, particularly the father of the girl meets her boyfriend. When they do, those misunderstanding, generation gap and what else, all hell breaks loose.

The comedies were okay. In some places it was too much. Instead of a laugh, it only annoyed. Though there were some good jokes, except I hardly had any good laugh in my entire watch. I remind you again that it was an okay film. Some people might find it good, some won't. Still a watchable film for the good performances. It's a face-off between James Franco and Bryan Cranston as expected. Elon Musk was a surprise. It had several opportunities to be better like turnaround its narration, yet they stuck with the same concept for the whole film. So other than mild entertainment, there's nothing in it to laud. I hope it all had ended here. Please, no sequel.

5/10… Expand

0 of 12 users found this helpful012

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5

bfoore90Jul 6, 2017

Offers a few laughs but overall its a predictable comedy in a tired and predictable genre. Keegan-Michael Key’s outrageous but lovable Gustave is the best thing about this movie to start off, whenever he's on screen it lifts the entireOffers a few laughs but overall its a predictable comedy in a tired and predictable genre. Keegan-Michael Key’s outrageous but lovable Gustave is the best thing about this movie to start off, whenever he's on screen it lifts the entire movie. Zoey Deutch was a nice casting and the leads all do a fantastic job but the movie is poorly made with uneven comedic timing in an already tired genre of movies… Expand

0 of 7 users found this helpful07

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4

iCronicAug 9, 2017

Comedies should be 90minutes, the scenes in here go on for way too long. A lot of generic jokes. Key and Franco are good; the **** Party scene is funny

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

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5

Jim222001Jun 15, 2017

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Bryan Cranston deserves better than a movie where he's on a high tech toilet trying to figure out how to wipe himself without paper. Where his wife asks "did you make a doo doo ?". Cranston and Franco have chemistry but we've had how many movies about a father that doesn't approve of his daughter's boyfriend ? I expected a movie like Guess Who or Meets the Parents. It's better than Guess Who at least.
Franco's character is so unlikable that you don't root for him to win Cranston's approval. But since we have seen similar movies many times, we know he will. When he does, it's pretty sudden and forced.… Expand

0 of 5 users found this helpful05

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5

WhiskeyStoriesApr 1, 2018

Why Him? is your typical disposable, but fun "christmas"/family movie. The only thing that makes it enjoyable is the actors. Bryan Cranston, great as always, James Franco plays himself, which is not necessarily a bad thing if you enjoy hisWhy Him? is your typical disposable, but fun "christmas"/family movie. The only thing that makes it enjoyable is the actors. Bryan Cranston, great as always, James Franco plays himself, which is not necessarily a bad thing if you enjoy his persona (which I sometimes do), Zoey Deutch bringing her usual charm and adorable self and lastly I honestly enjoyed Keegan's character more than I expected. So I would not recommend Why Him? to many people, but for me it kinda worked and I could see myself watching it during the holidays.… Expand

0 of 4 users found this helpful04

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5

MallRat15Dec 1, 2017

A few memorable scenes and jokes In what was a mostly unforgettable film. Considering it was a comedy film the jokes were far and in-between wish there were more jokes and laughs as when they happened they were generally quite funny. JamesA few memorable scenes and jokes In what was a mostly unforgettable film. Considering it was a comedy film the jokes were far and in-between wish there were more jokes and laughs as when they happened they were generally quite funny. James Franco was the most memorable role in this movie and the others were very underwhelming. All in all a few good laughs but nothing too memorable.… Expand

0 of 33 users found this helpful033

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6

geewahJan 8, 2021

I didn't mind this movie. No masterpiece but a funny story that's essentially about the generation gap.

0 of 20 users found this helpful020

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5

AmateurfilmVWRAug 17, 2022

Offers a few laughs but overall its a predictable throwaway comedy. Keegan-Michael Key’s outrageous but lovable Gustave is the best thing about this movie to start off, whenever he's on screen it lifts the entire movie. Zoey Deutch was a niceOffers a few laughs but overall its a predictable throwaway comedy. Keegan-Michael Key’s outrageous but lovable Gustave is the best thing about this movie to start off, whenever he's on screen it lifts the entire movie. Zoey Deutch was a nice casting and the leads all do a fantastic job but the movie is poorly made with uneven comedic timing in an already tired genre of movies… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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