Old Dads – Film Review

Bill Burr‘s feature film debut, Old Dads, falls short of its intriguing premise. Alongside Bobby Cannavale and Bokeem Woodbine, Burr plays an elderly friend who must deal with the rigors of fatherhood as he ages in the film, which he co-wrote with Ben Tishler. Although there are humorous and poignant moments in the premise, the execution is unsatisfactory and leaves the audience with an unmemorable and uninspired cinematic experience.

The dull script of Old Dads is one of its main problems. The humor, which mainly relies on stale clichés and stereotypes about middle-aged men struggling with contemporary parenting, comes across as forced. The dialogue is predictable and frequently makes one cringe, but it never makes one laugh out loud. The film makes flimsy attempts to satirize modern parenting issues and generational conflicts; it lacks the sharp humor and ingenuity that would have given the scenes resonance with viewers.

Despite having a strong cast, the performances don’t even come close to saving the movie. Known for his razor-sharp stand-up comedy, Bill Burr seems strangely quiet in the part of Jack Kelly. The passion and charisma that his fans have grown accustomed to from him are absent from his delivery. The dull material that Bobby Cannavale and Bokeem Woodbine are given to work with makes it difficult for them to bring life to their respective characters. The film’s potential for authentic emotional resonance is further undermined by the forced chemistry amongst the three leads.

Apart from its poor screenplay and mediocre acting, Old Dads lacks a clear sense of direction. Though competent, Bill Burr’s direction lacks originality and flair. The film’s erratic pacing causes scenes to drag on pointlessly, making for a confusing viewing experience. The film’s overall appeal is not greatly enhanced by the unimpressive cinematography and visual style. Expecting more ambition and a unique directorial voice for a feature film debut would be reasonable, but Old Dads falls short in these areas.

The way in which female characters are portrayed in the film is also sadly one-dimensional. The film’s few female characters are relegated to clichéd parts, such as the controlling wife, the alluring but uninteresting love interest, and the rigid preschool principal. The lack of nuance and agency in these characters contributes to the general staleness of the movie and reinforces antiquated gender norms.

The film’s soundtrack, which is an unoriginal mash-up of hits from the ’80s and ’90s, feels like a cheesy attempt to cash in on nostalgia. Rather than adding to the story’s emotional beats, the music seems like a last-ditch effort to sway the audience’s feelings, which ultimately backfires.

With a dull screenplay, unimpressive acting, and uninspired direction, Old Dads wastes its potential. The film falls flat in terms of genuine humor or emotional resonance, even with its talented cast. Its reliance on cliches and stale jokes that have been tackled in a plethora of other comedies renders it unoriginal in its approach to the problems of generational divides and late fatherhood. Look elsewhere if viewers are looking for a genuinely funny and insightful look at parenthood. With its lack of humor and inventiveness, Old Dads is a forgettable and unimpressive comedy that won’t stick in your memory.