In more ways than one, aRobert De Niromovie comes off as the perfect remake ofMeet the Parents. Helmed by Jay Roach,Meet the Parentsis actually a remake of a 1992 film of the same name directed by Greg Glienna. The film was initially supposed to bedirected by Steven Spielberg, with Jim Carrey playing the lead role. However, when it later went to Jay Roach after Spielberg and Carrey dropped out of the project, Ben Stiller was taken aboard to play the iconic main character, Greg Focker.
When the film premiered in October 2000, it was an instant hit, raking in over $330 million against a budget of $55 million. Its success spawned two sequels,Meet the FockersandLittle Fockers,and even inspired television shows likeMeet the Folks. Despite its success,Meet the Parentshas never been remade. However, after watching oneRobert De Niro movie, I cannot help but question whether it is a remake ofMeet the Parents.
10 Best Meet The Parents Quotes
Meet the Parents is a timeless comedy gem filled with hilarious lines, delivered brilliantly by Robert De Niro and Ben Stiller.
About My Father Has So Much In Common With Meet The Parents
The Two Films Share Many Narrative & Thematic Parallels
Director Laura Terruso’sAbout My Fatheris a standalone film. However, it is hard not to notice how much it has in common withMeet the Parents. AlthoughMeet the Parentsis mostly fictional, whileAbout My Fatheris loosely based on Sebastian Maniscalco’s relationship with his father,both films feature protagonists who must spend a weekend with their love interest’s parents. Unfortunately for them, things initially take a disastrous turn when their efforts to impress their parents are often in vain.
LikeMeet the Parents' Greg Focker struggles to find his place in the Byrnes' circle of trust after his girlfriend’s father makes him go through several humiliating tests,About My Father’s Sebastian Maniscalco faces his own set of challenges while trying to adapt to his girlfriend’s family’s lifestyle.About My Father’s Sebastian Maniscalco also takes his father, Salvo, with him for the weekend with his girlfriend’s family.
His father’s traditional Italian (Sicilian) American ways further complicate things because it leads to a major clash between two cultures, convincing the families they may have nothing in common. This plot detail makes About My Father more ofa combination ofMeet the ParentsandMeet the Fockers. However, ultimately, in both movie narratives, the families find some common ground after they choose to bury their differences and accept one another.
About My Father Ending Explained
About My Father has a happy ending, but it takes a while to get there. We break down the comedy’s ending, the peacock situation, and more.
About My Father Puts Robert De Niro In The Opposite Role To Meet The Parents
Robert De Niro Shines As Both Characters In The Two Films
Interestingly, Robert De Niro plays leading roles inAbout My FatherandMeet The Parents, but portrays contrasting roles in both. While he is the main character’s romantic interest’s stern father inMeet the Parents, he is Sebastian Maniscalco’s easy-going father inAbout My Father. The ease with which Robert De Niro plays both characters in the two similar films puts his acting forte and versatility on full display. Unfortunately, despite having so much in common withMeet the Parentsand even featuring Robert De Niro as one of its leads,About My Fatherfailed critically and commercially.
About My Father
About My Father is a comedy film starring Robert De Niro and Sebastian Maniscalco. Maniscalco appears as himself, who must break the news to his old-school Italian father, played by De Niro, that he is marrying his American girlfriend. His father then insists on having a weekend getaway with Sebastian and his girlfriend’s family.
