James Franco, Bryan Cranston, and Zoey Deutch in the film “Why Him?” (Wikimedia Commons)
March 12, 2017
“Why Him?” is a film of total polarity.
The movie centers around Ned Fleming (Bryan Cranston), a small-business man from Detroit, and his college-age daughter Stephanie, who has entered a serious romantic relationship with the overwhelmingly vulgar app-making mogul Laird Mayhew (James Franco).
When Fleming, his wife, and his son travel to northern California to spend Christmas with Laird and Stephanie at the former’s Silicon Valley estate, Fleming receives some surprising (and unwelcome) news: Laird intends to propose to Stephanie.
Fleming is dumbstruck that Stephanie has become enamored with Laird to the point that engagement is now in question, and is stunned Laird’s seemingly complete lack whatsoever of filter and refinement.
When he refuses to give Laird his blessing to propose to Stephanie, Laird promises to win him over by Christmas.
To Fleming, there’s no way that would ever be possible.
You see where this is going.
If the plot sounds dumb, that’s because it really is.
Nevertheless, “Why Him?” could very well go down as one of the most hilarious films of 2017. The shamelessly vulgar humor, while at times excessive, will make some audience members hurt from laughter while others blush and drop their jaws.
The first scene, for instance, features Fleming’s birthday lunch at a local Applebee’s, with friends, family, and coworkers in attendance.
During a slideshow Fleming’s son prepared for the event, Stephanie appears on a webcam from her Stanford dorm room to wish her father a happy birthday.
Unbeknownst to Stephanie, Laird enters the room, promptly undressing and flashing everyone watching the webcam inside the Applebee’s. Naturally, Ned is extremely shocked, embarrassed, and flustered, and in the moment of chaos and confusion quickly shatters the laptop to halt the presentation.
While Cranston played the concerned father ably, he’ll never be able to top his performance as Walter White, the iconic protagonist of the TV show “Breaking Bad.”
Additionally, he was overshadowed by Franco’s outstanding and hilarious depiction of the ludicrous yet essentially caring Laird Mayhew.
Despite the pedestrian nature of the plot, the film is uproariously funny, thoroughly entertaining, and ultimately even mildly touching.
While not necessarily a must-see, “Why Him?” is perfect for those who enjoy the lewd and the crude.
Just don’t go with your mother.
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Max is a senior, and has been a member of the Globe since his freshman year. He is very excited to return as a Senior Managing Editor for the 2016-17 school year. Previously,...