About My Father (2023)

About My Father is the kind of comedy that sneaks up on you: it comes dressed as a culture-clash farce, then wins you over with genuine warmth and an old-fashioned belief that family, in all its chaos, is worth fighting for. The 4th of July weekend setting gives it a lively, sunlit vibe, where awkward introductions and escalating misunderstandings turn into laugh-out-loud moments that feel earned rather than mean-spirited. Robert De Niro is the secret weapon—grounded, sharp, and surprisingly tender—bringing a lived-in humanity that keeps the movie from floating away on sitcom air. If you’re looking for edgy satire, this isn’t that kind of party, but if you want a sweet, funny crowd-pleaser with a big heart, it’s an easy invitation to accept.

About My Father wants to be a warm, old-school culture-clash comedy about family pride and learning to meet people where they are, with Robert De Niro lending some credibility to the setup. The problem is the humor often feels like a stretched-out stand-up bit—lots of broad stereotypes, predictable beats, and scenes that land with a thud instead of a punchline. If you’re hoping for sharp writing, real edge, or anything remotely surprising, this will likely feel flat and a bit labored. But if you’re in the mood for an easy, harmless “meet the eccentric rich family” weekend movie and you don’t mind low laughs in exchange for a few sweet moments, you might still find it passable.