Ein ungleiches Paar

A new "odd couple" is born with a new spy-film twist.

Michael Douglas is Stephen Tobias, a rugged deep-cover CIA agent, who focuses more on his work that his life with his son, Mark (Ryan Reynolds) or his now ex-wife, Judy (Candice Bergen).

It turns out that Mark is about to get married to beautiful Melissa (Lindsay Sloane) but has yet to meet Mark's parents. Mark assures her that is a good thing. But Melissa's parents, Jerry (Albert Brooks) and Katherine (Maria Ricossa) insist on meeting at least Mark's father.

During the first meeting between Mark's father and Melissa's parents, mild-mannered foot-doctor Jerry stumbles in on one of Stephen's spy plans and finds himself swept up in Stephen's mess on the eve of his daughter's nuptials. How will this revelation effect the up-coming marriage and will the two fathers live long enough to get back to the wedding?

"The In-Laws" is one of the biggest surprises I have seen this year. I never thought in a million years that this film would be as funny as it is. The odd pairing of Brooks and Douglas pays off tenfold. Their odd pairing and hilarious antics made me think some of the classic film, "The Odd Couple". The film also reminded me a little of the 80s comedy, "Real Men" because of its off-beat way of bringing the audience into the story.

Brooks hasn't been this funny in years. His neurotic schtick, which is probably more famous when played by Woody Allen, gives his character such innocence. There were so many priceless moments involving Brooks and how he relates to the spy-world.

Douglas seems to have journeyed back to his Jack Colton character, which he played in "Romancing the Stone". There is definitely some of Colton in Tobias. You can really see it when Douglas allows Tobias to put his guard down. That was always the funniest part of Colton and it is the same for Tobias.

Another great thing about this film is the caliber of people who are in the cast. You have some great upcoming comedy actors like Reynolds and Sloane and on the other side veterans like Bergen and Brooks. I wanted to see more of Reynolds since he is such a great comedic find. I have high expectations for that guy. I also really enjoyed Sloane when she was in the short-lived WB series, "Grosse Pointe". I so miss that series. She to has a great potential to be more if given the chance in comedy.

This film knows where its strengths are and it continues the laughs over and over. I just wish we could have had more time with the supporting cast.

The film also has some interesting uses of music in its soundtrack. For instance the opening scenes involving Michael Douglas escaping from one of his spy missions involves a great car chase and a gun battle but the whole scene's overture is accented by Paul McCartney's infamous James Bond theme, "Live & Let Die". It is a great addition as it seems to help build the spy feeling of the scene. Throughout the film there are interesting musical additions, which help put interesting slants and accents on the various scenes.

"The In-Laws" was such a surprise and is by far the funniest movie I have seen this year, thus far. (4 out of 5) So Says the Soothsayer.

I wasnt excepting a good movie after seeing it flop and the boxoffice and hearing the reviews that people saying about the movie. But I personally loved it. Its a cute little movie that deserves much more credit then it got. I recommend this movie to everyone. I give this 4/5 stars

Hollywood is littered with bad remakes of great films. One wonders why studios even bother. The original with Peter Falk and Alan Arkin is one of the funniest films ever made. On the other hand this updated version lacks in so many ways. Albert brooks and Michael Douglas do have good chemistry but he script is not up to the challenge of reviving this classic. The first half of the movie is pretty good, slowly but surely goes downhill. There are some good moments but they are few and far between during the last half of the movie. The ending is just plain stupid. Too bad, it could have been a contender. Im glad I saw this on television instead of spending money at a movie theater. Otherwise I would be writing a more negative review.

'The In-Laws' has a mediocre script but the actors successfully elevate the material. Albert Brooks in particular is very good as a neurotic podiatrist. Michael Douglas gives an energetic performance and the two work work well off each other. There are some consistent laughs throughout the film. David Suchet is fine as (MINOR SPOILERS) the gay international arms smuggler who falls in love with Brooks. The script is a gentle spoof of spy films and works well as long as you ignore the various plot holes. Douglas's family is shortchanged by the script, his relation with his estranged wife specially feels incomplete. Still watchable.

Overall 7/10

Steven Tobias (Two Time Oscar-Winner:Michael Douglas) is a CIA Operative, who's pretends to be an international armed dealers to the European Bad Guys. But he has a tough week, when his only son (Ryan Reynolds) is getting married in a couple of days to his sweet girlfriend (Lindsay Sloane). But he hasn't meet his son's girlfriend or her father Jerry Peyser (Albert Brooks) and his wife Katherine (Maria Ricossa). Now Steven has to make up for lost time for his son and his new family in-laws. But the problem is that Steven is still working undercover, when he takes them to a Chinese Restaurant. When Jerry goes to the bathroom, he overhears Steven talking to a informer (Tamara Gorski) and seeing Steven fighting with a guy, who has a gun. Now Jerry finds himself in hot water, when Steven is forced to protect Jerry from the bad guys and especially the FBI. Which the FBI Agents (Lead by A. Russelll Andrews) thinks Tobias is a rogue agent. Now Jerry has to play along with Steven. Steven wants Jerry to pretend to be an assassin as "The Fat Cobra" to impress a french terrorist (David Suchet). But this french bad-guy has a secret about his sexuality and he tries to put the moves on Jerry! Now Steven and Jerry are forced to get along as the wedding is coming soon. Which they have to accept each other differences for their kids and being future in-laws as well.

Directed by Andrew Fleming (The Craft, Dick, Nancy Drew) made an amusing comedy that has plenty of laughs and an heart as well. This is a remake of the well-remember 1979 film, a movie that i haven't seen yet. Douglas and Brooks are excellent in this movie, which sadly it was an Box Office disappointment. When it was release in the spring of 2003. Which it's too bad, because this movie is certainly more enjoyable than the average Hollywood comedy. The cast seems to be having a great time including Robin Tunney and Candice Bergen, who have their own funny moments as well. But it's Suchet is the biggest scene stealer in the movie, along with Douglas and Brooks. Suchet is the funniest character in the picture in his memorable supporting role. The soundtrack is good as well. If you are a fan of Fleming's work or especially that cast, don't miss it. Watch for some amusing cameos as well. Screenplay by Nat Mauldin (Downtown, Dr. Dolittle, Open Season) and Ed Solomon (Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure, Men in Black, Super Mario Bros). Based on a screenplay by Andrew Bergman (Blazing Saddles, Fletch, Striptease). (****/*****).