Name: About My Father
Genre: Comedy
Released: 2023-05-25T00:00:00+00:00
Cast: Sebastian Maniscalco, Robert De Niro, Leslie Bibb, Anders Holm, David Rasche

The camera lingers on Robert De Niro‘s face as he gazes at a platter of peacock feathers—an image so bizarre it sets the tone for About My Father, a comedy that swings wildly between heartfelt and ham-fisted. Directed by Laura Terruso from a screenplay by Sebastian Maniscalco and Austen Earl, this film is loosely based on Maniscalco’s real-life relationship with his father, played here by De Niro. The premise—an Italian immigrant family clashing with wealthy American relatives—promises sharp satire, but the execution stumbles under its own weight.

About My Father follows Sebastian (Maniscalco), a Chicago hotel manager, as he invites his old-school Sicilian-American father, Salvo (De Niro), to meet his girlfriend Ellie’s (Leslie Bibb) eccentric, moneyed family at their Virginia estate. The film’s strengths lie in its central performances and a few well-placed moments of genuine humor, but these are overshadowed by a reliance on broad comedy and predictable storytelling.

At its best, About My Father works as a character study of Salvo, a man steeped in tradition and pride. De Niro delivers a nuanced performance, balancing gruffness with unexpected tenderness. His Salvo is a relic of a bygone era, struggling to navigate a world that values wealth over family and appearances over authenticity. A standout scene occurs when Salvo insists on paying for his meal at the Collins family’s luxury restaurant, a small but powerful moment that underscores his stubborn independence. De Niro’s ability to convey deep emotion with subtle gestures—like the way he clutches his late wife’s wedding ring—anchors the film in moments of sincerity.

However, the film’s humor often falls flat, relying too heavily on slapstick and stereotypes. The cultural clashes between Salvo and Ellie’s family could have been a fertile ground for sharp social commentary, but instead, they devolve into cringe-worthy antics. When Salvo misinterprets the Collinses’ displays of wealth—like their expensive artwork and historical furniture—as signs of pretension, the film tries to mine humor from his confusion. But these moments feel forced, as if Terruso is struggling to find the right balance between satire and sincerity.

The pacing is another issue. The film drags in places, particularly during scenes that attempt to build tension but instead feel drawn out. A meditation session between Salvo and Ellie’s younger brother Doug (Brett Dier) is one such example, where the humor feels forced and the scene itself serves little purpose beyond padding the runtime.

Maniscalco’s performance as Sebastian is the film’s weakest link. While he brings energy to his role, his character often comes across as one-dimensional, lacking the depth needed to fully explore the father-son dynamic at the heart of the story. Leslie Bibb fares better as Ellie, providing a steady counterpoint to Maniscalco’s frantic energy. However, her character is underdeveloped, serving primarily as a catalyst for the film’s central conflict rather than a fully realized individual.

The supporting cast delivers serviceable performances, but none leave a lasting impression. Anders Holm and David Rasche, playing Ellie’s brothers Lucky and Bill Collins respectively, are reduced to caricatures—wealthy, eccentric, and ultimately forgettable. Kim Cattrall, as Sen. Tigger MacArthur, fares slightly better, bringing a touch of gravitas to her role, but even she is sidelined by the film’s broader comedic elements.

One of the film’s most glaring issues is its lack of originality. About My Father feels like a retread of better films, from My Big Fat Greek Wedding to The Family Stone. The cultural clash angle has been done before, and Terruso fails to bring anything new to the table. The film’s attempts at social commentary are also ham-fisted, with scenes like Salvo’s peacock cooking spree feeling more absurd than insightful.

Thematically, About My Father grapples with the tension between tradition and modernity, but it never fully commits to exploring these ideas in a meaningful way. The film’s conclusion—a somewhat forced reconciliation between Sebastian and Salvo—feels rushed and unsatisfying, as if Terruso is more interested in wrapping up the story than delving into its deeper implications.

In the end, About My Father is a missed opportunity. With its talented cast and promising premise, it could have been a fresh take on the family comedy genre. Instead, it settles for lazy humor and predictable storytelling.