OLD DOGS (2009)

Directed By: Walt Becker 
Written By: David Diamond & David Weissman 
Cinematography By: Jeffrey L. Kimball 
Editor: Ryan Folsey 

 Cast: John Travolta, Robin Williams, Rita Wilson, Lori Loughlin, Kelly Preston, Amy Sedaris, Seth Green, Bernie Mac, Matt Dillon, Ann-Margaret, Elle Bleu Travolta


Charlie and Dan have been best friends and business partners for thirty years; their Manhattan public relations firm is on the verge of a huge business deal with a Japanese company. With two weeks to sew up the contract, Dan gets a surprise: a woman he married on a drunken impulse nearly nine years before (annulled the next day) shows up to tell him he's the father of her twins, now seven, and she'll be in jail for 14 days for a political protest. Dan volunteers to keep the tykes, although he's up tight and clueless. With Charlie's help is there any way they can be dad and uncle, meet the kids' expectations, and still land the account?

Now this is not normally the type of film I regularly watch. It's Pure popcorn family entertainment. Not made for quality, but pure popcorn entertainment. The film is happy if it gets your attention or money.

Now I am bias when it comes to Robin Williams. So I can't bad mouth the film totally. I believe he makes films like the superior ONE HOUR PHOTO and WORLD'S GREATEST DAD to tackle something new and different and fulfilling, but movies like this for a paycheck and stay relevant at the box office.

Bernie Mac's last released film. SOUL MEN was released first, but was the last film he made.

John Travolta, I don't have as much faith in as long as the paycheck is good enough and in this film they also cast his wife and daughter. He is an actor who is constantly a professional, but also an actor whose choices are evident and you can see his decisions as an actor. He is constantly trying and usually good enough.

The only thing that saves this film from being totally abysmal is the supporting cast. I don't know how they got most of these known actors for basically one scene roles. Did they call them up and offer them the roles for good money? Did they have to audition even though they are well know actors? Were their roles scripted or straight improv? They actually save the film and make it bearable and funny. Only to a o.k. degree.

I'm sure if you are looking for a fun family film. There are better. This is fine. It's bad, yet not as bad as you would think.

Robin Williams no matter what role give it his all energy wise, but even here he seems defeated.Knowing he can do better and have better material to work with.When not trying to get back into family film good graces.

Special mention must be made of Lori Loughlin. She looks really hot for a woman her age in this film. I wish she was in more of this film. Though her story-line and contributions to the ending make no sense and seem to just appear and happen with really no explanation. Though i had no interest in this film. The only person who made me mildly interested in any of this film was Seth Green. To me the man can do no wrong even in paycheck roles.

The film is a huge disappointment then again i am not the ideal audience for the film. Though it feels like an 80's film with lazy humor that seems like it was made up that day on the set. And goes way over the top for it's humor.

Skip it

Grade: F