World’s Greatest Dad

Does anyone remember Bobcat Goldthwait? He was the screechy-voiced cadet in the Police Academy movies. While he hasn’t been seen much in front of the camera in recent years, he has still been very busy in Hollywood doing voice work and directing TV shows like The Man Show and Jimmy Kimmel Live.  

His newest project, in which he wrote and directs, is the comedy World’s Greatest Dad staring veteran funny man Robin Williams as a writer that is finding success a difficult thing to locate. 

Lance Clayton (Williams) has been submitting manuscripts to publishers for years without even one being accepted. He has arrived at a crossroad in his writing career, one more rejection and that’s it, he’s going give up writing for good. 

To make a living, Lance works as a poetry teacher at a local high school. He is not finding much success as a teacher either. If his class enrollment doesn’t increase soon, it will be cancelled.  

The dating world is not treating Lance much better as well. He’s been secretly seeing Claire (Alexie Gilmore, Definitely, Maybe), an art teacher, but he’s worried she may have her eye on a younger, taller, more handsome fellow named Mike Lane (Henry Simmons, NYPD Blue), an English teacher and a published writer. 

Fatherhood is where Lance is finding the least success. His son, Kyle (Daryl Sabara, Spy Kids) is rude, crude and disrespectful to everyone. Kyle’s main interest is porn, the more the better. 

After tragedy finds its way into Lance’s life, everything starts to change for the better for him. Is this the way that Lance finally wants to find success in his life? 

Bobcat Goldthwait writes and directs an entertaining film. He blends comedy with drama very well. World’s Greatest Dad holds your attention as you watch the roller-coaster life of Lance Clayton. Bobcat shows that he has talent with the pen and in the director chair. He is more than just a voice. 

Robin Williams and Daryl Sabara both give fine performances. Robin transitions from funny to serious as smooth as a piece of fine silk. In recent years, I’ve found Robin’s dramatic roles (One Hour Photo, Insomnia, The Night Listener) more rewarding than his comedy roles (Man of the Year, License to Wed). 

Daryl gives a perfect portrayal of a “terrible teen”. If Kyle was your son, I think any parent would be extremely frustrated. It is hard to believe that Kyle has any friends, well one friend played nicely by newcomer Evan Martin, the way he treats people. 

While World’s Greatest Dad is an enjoyable movie, there are 2 areas where it falls short. First, is the full frontal nude shot of the near 60 year old Robin Williams. He is a talented actor, but I do not care see him in the raw. For me, this shot adds nothing to the film. 

Second, the foul language and sexual references used by Kyle is also a bit of a turnoff. I understand that this behavior is a key part of who Kyle is, but it is more of a negative than a positive. 

I hope that in the future Bobcat will depend more on his talent as a writer than on shock value to get attention for his films. 

If you’re not in the mood for another big-budget Hollywood flick, take a look at World’s Greatest Dad for good acting and a nice mix of comedy and drama. 

World’s Greatest Dad is now available on DVD. Click on the movie screen below to see a trailer.