 Movie
Reviews
with Evelyn Gough
Meet the Fockers (M)
Directed by Jay Roach
 So that's how it is in your family... Dustan Hoffman as Bernie Focker gets passionate with Robert De Niro as Jack Byrnes in Meet the Fockers.
If, like me, you loved the hit comedy Meet the Parents, then I guarantee you won't be disappointed with its sequel Meet the Fockers.
Gaylord Focker, aka Greg (Ben Stiller) is back, along with Robert De Niro as the uptight retired CIA agent Jack Byrnes, Blythe Danner as Jack's long-suffering wife Dina and Terri Polo as their daughter and Greg's fiancée Pam.
And who could forget feline star Mister Jinx.
When we left them, Jack had finally given his blessing for the hapless Greg to marry his daughter and he was lying in bed pondering his future in-laws with Dina. You can just see the sequel being set up at this stage can't you... well guess what!?! This time, they're off to meet the Fockers, to welcome them into the circle of trust.
In the casting coup of the year, Greg's parents, Bernie and Roz, are played by Dustin Hoffman and Barbara Streisand. Some readers are old enough to remember the singer as a great comedy actress and these two are hilarious. Sure, we all know Hoffman is a great actor, but it's been a while since Barbara graced our screens and once again she proves what a relaxed and talented comedic actress she is.
Travelling with the Byrnes family in their high-tech, luxurious RV, on the way to his parents home in Florida, Greg is understandably anxious. His folks are the polar opposite to Jack and Dina. His mum is a sex therapist who specialises in elderly couples and his dad retired from his legal career to become Mr Mom when Greg was born. They believe in sex and plenty of it and neither of them can keep a secret.
Meanwhile poor Jack and Dina are lucky enough to get down and dirty once a year on their anniversary and as for keeping secrets, that's Jack's speciality. Do these families have anything in common? Even their pets can't get on!
And while I'm not usually a fan of cute kiddies in films, little Jack, (played by twins) - Jack's grandson - is a total hoot.
This is a top-notch cast of extremely talented actors and it shows. Combined with a witty script this is one sequel that is definitely an equal to the original - even if those jokes about the family's name do wear a little thin after a while.
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