CINEMA REWIND

Robin Williams stars as Lance Clayton, an aspiring writer who hasn't quite reached success, in Bobcat Goldthwait's dark comedy World's Greatest Dad. Lance's poetry class lacks attendance, the teacher he is dating (Alexie Gilmore) doesn't seem to want a serious relationship, and his son Kyle (Daryl Sabara) could care less about him. But then in the midst of tragedy, Lance gains the opportunity to change everything.

This is not a film for everyone. Well, most films aren't for everyone, but in this case i'll say it's a fairly warranted statement. The plot mainly centers around the wishes of Lance's life suddenly coming to fruition thanks to his son accidentally committing suicide while masturbating. Lance salvages the situation by hanging his son's body in the closet and writing a suicide note on Kyle's computer. When the suicide note gets published in the high school's newspaper and becomes a sensation, Lance realizes it is the first time people are appreciating his writing skills. Kyle, insufferable, crude, and (rightfully) disliked by his peers while alive, becomes a hero of sorts after the note is published. And things just continually snowball as Lance realizes more ways the suicide can work to his advantage.

If you're fine with the premise, World's Greatest Dad does have a lot to offer. The banter between Robin Williams and Daryl Sabara in the film's first act is sharp, twisted, and downright hilarious. World's Greatest Dad is full of great satire and actually has something interesting to say about loneliness. And eventually an unexpected and undeniable sweetness emerges from the film that's punctuated by its conclusion. Robin Williams shines in his best performance in years in a film that is both vulgar and poignant, hilarious and saddening.

World's Greatest Dad
Directed by: Bobcat Goldthwait
Written by: Bobcat Goldthwait
Starring: Robin Williams, Daryl Sabara, Alexie Gilmore, Henry Simmons, and Evan Martin
Release Date: August 21, 2009
Running Time: 99 minutes
Rated R for language, crude and sexual content, some drug use and disturbing images.
Trailer: http://www.cinemarewind.com/2009/07/worlds-greatest-dad-trailer.html