Meet the Parents
2000  PG-13  COMEDY  1h 48min
CAST— Robert De Niro, Ben Stiller, Blythe Danner, Teri Polo, James Rebhorn, Jon Abrahams, Owen Wilson
MUSIC— Randy Newman  DIRECTOR— Jay Roach

     It always seems that when you’re careful to do everything just right, that’s when you screw up the most. And you always have to learn that the hard way. Ben Stiller plays Greg Focker, a male nurse who finds that out after meeting girlfriend Pam’s parents for the first time. Before popping the question, Greg must first get her father’s blessing. Easier said than done. It turns out that her cat-loving father, whom Greg thought was a florist, is really an ex-CIA agent, played by Robert De Niro with hilariously intimidating perfection. After going through many misadventures (dinner with her parents, losing the cat, nearly burning the house down, etc.), Greg starts to wonder if Pam is really worth the trouble of being in her family. Tense situations and perfect performances make this a winner. A word of warning: do not watch this with your in-laws. They may start to get ideas.
OUR RATING— *** ½
FOLLOWED BY— Meet the Fockers (2004), Little Fockers (2010)
ORIGINAL— Meet the Parents (1992)