‘Family’ a bit contrived, ‘Daycare’ offers bathroom humor

Members of three real-life generations of the Douglas acting clan

play three fictional generations of the Gromberg attorney clan in

this modest effort on family values. Kirk and Michael Douglas

translate some of the dynamics that might be in their personal

relationship to this on-screen portrayal of liberal New York lawyers

coming to terms with the family’s dysfunctional side.

Reflecting reality, Kirk Douglas is courageous and feisty as the

Gromberg patriarch overcoming the effects of a recent stroke and the

death of his wife. To his credit, there is no maudlin sympathy for

Kirk’s condition. He bulls forward with his lines and the situations

that arise with a spirited determination without regard to his

handicap. The moments of emotional truth that exist in the film come

from the few poignant scenes that center on Kirk’s handling of the

circumstances that befall him.

His interactions with the other two generations are less

satisfying. The screenplay wants to present serious issues for the

characters to deal with, but the treatment lacks conviction.

Michael seems to be throwing dialogue softballs for his father to

hit out of the park. His son Cameron’s role as the perpetual partying

college student is lightweight and forgettable. Though we know we are

seeing a real father, son and grandson on the screen, there is too

much that is contrived and not genuine for us to take them seriously.

But there are still some enjoyable moments.

Bernadette Peters does an excellent job as Michael’s harried wife.

Rory Caulkin as the youngest son does an admirable turn as an

11-year-old boy on his first date.

Overall, “It Runs in the Family” is a bit of fluff with a nice

touch of sentiment that would fit nicely on the small screen as a

made-for-TV movie.

* JOHN DEPKO is a Costa Mesa resident and a senior investigator

for the Orange County public defender’s office.

‘Daddy’ takes the easy path to laughs

If you’re a 6-year old, then Eddie Murphy’s latest comedy, “Daddy

Day Care,” is the movie for you -- lots of kicks to the crotch,

pratfalls and bathroom humor. Think of the Three Stooges crossed with

“Jackass,” and you get the idea.

This is not so much a bad movie as a disappointment that a

talented cast was used strictly for dumb laughs and our money.

Like Robin Williams, Murphy needs to hold out for better scripts

that play to his strengths rather than just go for a promising

concept. Murphy plays a newly unemployed ad man, Charlie Hinton, who

adores his little boy, but doesn’t really make time for him.

Charlie’s pal and former co-worker Phil (Jeff Garlin) is a weekend

dad with serious issues about potty training.

No longer able to afford the fancy preschool led by the aptly

named Miss Harridan (Angelica Huston, in full Cruella De Ville mode),

and with his wife resuming her career as an attorney, Charlie comes

up with the absurdly naive idea of starting his own day care center

in his home. After all, he has a college degree and likes kids. How

tough can it be?

What ensues is every parent’s worst nightmare and every child’s

dream. But of course, since this is Murphy’s movie, somehow these

guys manage to turn things around and give Miss Harridan’s school a

run for their money.

They even hire a doofus from their old agency, Marvin (Steve Zahn)

who is as versed in Mr. Spock as Dr. Spock. Miss Harridan is

ultimately reduced to being a crossing guard in stiletto heels

(again, more scary than funny).

Exiting the theater, I overheard comments like, “Well, it wasn’t

quite as awful as I thought it would be.” The popcorn wasn’t bad,

either.

* SUSANNE PEREZ lives in Costa Mesa and is an executive assistant

for a financial services company.