theatrical release
“And then came Dad”: De Niro in the cultural clash of two families
Sebastian Maniscalco (l) as Sebastian and Robert De Niro as Salvo in a scene from the film “And Then Dad Came”. photo
© Dan Anderson/Lionine/Lionsgate/dpa
Italian father meets conservative Americans. In the movie And Then Came Dad, disparate families come together and that leads to trouble. However, they have one thing in common: family comes first.
Family can be difficult and awkward at times, but ultimately it is the most important thing. In the comedy About My Father, Robert De Niro teaches just that. There he slips into the role of the Italian father Salvo, who always has a grim visage, full of prejudice and strict principles .
He teaches his son, played by comedian Sebastian Maniscalco, his wisdom: you have to work hard to be successful. And that is exactly what the self-employed hairdresser passionately demonstrates in his own salon. Saving is also important, very important in fact. Just not with your own perfume. It is applied in an elaborate bedtime routine. When Sebastian asks his father about the family ring in order to marry his girlfriend Ellie (Leslie Bibb), Salvo accompanies his son on a journey to meet the future in-laws. The family: rich, American and conservative. The views and attitudes towards life of Ellie’s parents Tigger (Kim Cattrall – “Sex and the City”) and Bill (David Rasche) couldn’t be any different from Salvo’s. Of course, this does not only lead to complications once.
Light entertainment, numerous clichés
It’s a lightly entertaining film, buoyed by numerous clichés. The Italian, eccentric immigrant father, who does not deviate from his principles due to his culture and upbringing, against the conservative, aloof family who live the “American Dream” without ever having to pay attention to money. In the end, the two parties find each other against all odds.
Comedian Sebastian Maniscalco co-wrote the screenplay with Laura Terruso. The cast of De Niro as the father fits perfectly and leads as a common thread through the simple plot of the film. One is strongly reminded of his role in “My Bride, Her Father and I” (2000), which doesn’t really bother us.