This son/mother comedy should have been way better but Seth Rogen and especially Barbra Streisand are squandered. There are a few laughs but they are too far apart. Streisand gets top billing but it's Rogen's movie, and despite his commendable dramatic performance in Take This Waltz, he grimaces and glowers for most of the 95 minutes. We know Streisand can act (my favorites: Funny Girl (1968), Hello, Dolly! (1969), On a Clear Day You Can See Forever (1970), A Star is Born (1976), Yentl (1983), Nuts (1987), and even Meet the Fockers (2004), although Little Fockers was abysmal). This movie could have used a lot more Roz Focker. Instead Jack and I cringed every time the violins began. Seriously. Violins. I really like composer Christophe Beck (last blogged in both The Muppets and Tower Heist) but his tracks just drag down the pace. Anne Fletcher (The Proposal) directs from a script by Dan Fogelman (Crazy, Stupid, Love.) and we know they are capable of more.
This had higher rottentomatoes numbers (37% critics, 50% audiences) than Parental Guidance but is inferior. The manicure is there but the frumpy wardrobe is overdone and she doesn't sing. Recommended only for hard-core Barbra fans.
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