1/2
USA 2012
Starts February 28
Directed by: Andy Fickman
Writing credits: Lisa Addario, Joe Syracuse
Cast: Billy Crystal, Bette Midler, Marisa Tomei, Tom Everett Scott
Length: 105 minutes
Two styles of ‘parental guidance’ clash when Alice and Phil (Tomei, Everett Scott) – as a last resort only - ask Alice’s parents Artie and Diane (Crystal, Midler) to baby sit their children for a few days. The young household is automated, computerized, interactive and pretty nerve-racking - not only - for the grandparents, who haven’t kept up with the latest tech-phase or with 21st century parenting. Alice instructs them in the “dos and don’ts”: there are no winners and especially no losers; no explicit ‘no’s; there are extra-curricular activities to keep track of and foods they shouldn’t or wouldn’t eat. Twelve-year-old Harper is a stressed overachiever, her nine-year-old brother Hunter stutters and little Barker’s least problem is his imaginary friend. A different world for easygoing Artie and Diane who never spent much time with their grandkids! Naturally this leads to comical situations, especially since the idea to this film was inspired by comedian Billy Crystal’s real life experience as a grandfather. This entertaining comedy only disappoints where it stretches to entertain even the youngest audience with unnecessary silliness. ()