Meeting Daddy

I am simply disappointed that this is Lloyd Bridges' last film, he could have done something epic.I am simply disappointed that this is Lloyd Bridges' last film, he could have done something epic.I am simply disappointed that this is Lloyd Bridges' last film, he could have done something epic.I am simply disappointed that this is Lloyd Bridges' last film, he could have done something epic.I am simply disappointed that this is Lloyd Bridges' last film, he could have done something epic.I am simply disappointed that this is Lloyd Bridges' last film, he could have done something epic.I am simply disappointed that this is Lloyd Bridges' last film, he could have done something epic.I am simply disappointed that this is Lloyd Bridges' last film, he could have done something epic.I am simply disappointed that this is Lloyd Bridges' last film, he could have done something epic.

"Meeting Daddy" tells of a young California couple who visit the female half's somewhat backward clan in Georgia where they encounter a menagerie of quirky off-beat characters including her daddy (L. Bridges). If you are into fun little romantic comedy romps and have a sense of appreciation for the irreverent and inane, you'll probably enjoy "Meeting Daddy". If not, you may be terminally bored if not somewhat repulsed. This genre defying little sleeper is a concatenation of old gags laced with a wisp of charm whipped up in a very peculiar sort of mix which will please some and displease others. Lloyd Bridges turns in a fine final performance as the laconic, manipulative, and eerily senile patriarch. A must see for wacky comedy lovers.

Peter is an aspiring writer from New York who has moved to Los Angeles and works in a bookstore. His girlfriend Melanie is in law school. Melanie asks Peter to come with her to Georgia to help take care of her elderly diabetic father, who really needs to be in a home or at least have a full-time caretaker.

Larry and Dink are Melanie's brothers. Dink is a fat jerk who doesn't seem too intelligent. Larry seems to work in real estate and has filed for bankruptcy in the past. The responsibility of taking care of The Colonel seems to fall to Melanie, however. And The Colonel doesn't like being taken care of or told what to do, even though his mind isn't quite right and he wants to eat what isn't good for him. The family starts looking at options, and Peter ends up having to take care of Daddy while they are gone, with humorous results.

The Colonel is a Hard-Shell Baptist and conservative, which is frustrating for Peter and Melanie, who want to sleep together. Dink tells Peter, who is Jewish, that Jesus is the only way to salvation.

I liked this movie when it was funny. Sometimes the arguing between family members got to be a little much. And the real-estate gags got old fast.

Lloyd Bridges was quite convincing as a feeble but stubborn old man. Alexandra Wentworth effectively showed the take-charge personality of Melanie, but even she had her vulnerable moments, such as when she was deprived of sex. Edie McClurg was adorable and perky but not too confident as the woman hired to take care of Daddy. And Kristy Swanson was a delight as Melanie's best friend from high school, who came up with values for items in the house so they could be divided among the children. But mostly she wore too-short skirts and seemed to want Peter.

This was worth seeing, even if it seems kind of familiar.

I rented this movie at Blockbuster on an impulse -- and I'm really glad I did. Josh Charles and Lloyd Bridges are laugh-out-loud funny -- and kristy swanson is, quite frankly, hot hot hot. She has one scene that surprised me so much I spit lemonade all over the coffee table. There were a few slow spots but I spent most of the movie laughing. This is absolutely worth watching.

I checked this movie out based on a review on this site. Please, save yourself the time and trouble of hoping this turkey goes somewhere. A decent cast, ample budget and a very unfunny story. Just terrible!