Review of World's Greatest Dad (2009) by Robert H — 12 Oct 2014

While it might not rank as THE best comedy Robin Williams has ever done, it is a darkly funny film that takes advantage of his comedic and dramatic skills effectively. Directed by Bobcat Goldthwait, WORLD'S GREATEST DAD is about Lance Clayton (Williams), a failed writer who teaches poetry at the high school where his son attends.

He also has trouble with his son (Daryl Sabara), who is quite a jerk to him and everyone else in his life. However, when his son accidentally dies, he sees an opportunity to get the respect he deserves.

While not laugh-out-loud funny, this film was nevertheless able to take serious subject matter and get some mileage out of subverting it, while also making a statement on the legacy of the dead and how people will use it to their advantage.

Robin Williams gives one of his best performances in years as Lance Clayton who, if you think about it, is like a cynical version of his John Keating character from DEAD POETS SOCIETY. The deadpan manner in which he reacts to things was also a change of pace from the manic comedy he did in the past.

Daryl Sabara was really good as his jerk son. Another aspect which I liked was how, after Lance's son dies, everyone comes out of the woodwork as having liked him when, in fact, they were just responding to Lance's cover-up out of sympathy.

It's amazing how far misunderstanding can go, and the film portrays this in a bold and satirical way. Still, this film could rub some people the wrong way, given how life sort of imitated art. However, this is only in retrospect.

I highly doubt that Bobcat Goldthwait was anticipating what Robin Williams would eventually do, but it is really odd that things turned out the way that they did. Overall, this is really dark comedy that might turn some people off, but I thought it was a welcome return-to-form for Robin Williams.