X
- 2023
- PG-13
- Lionsgate Films
- 1 h 30 m
- 2023
- PG-13
- Lionsgate Films
- 1 h 30 m
Summary Sebastian (Sebastian Maniscalco) is encouraged by his fiancée (Leslie Bibb) to bring his immigrant, hairdresser father, Salvo (Robert De Niro), to a weekend get-together with her super-rich and exceedingly eccentric family (Kim Cattrall, Anders Holm, Brett Dier, David Rasche). The weekend develops into what can only be described as a cul...
Directed By: Laura Terruso
Written By: Austen Earl, Sebastian Maniscalco
- 2023
- PG-13
- Lionsgate Films
- 1 h 30 m
- 2023
- PG-13
- Lionsgate Films
- 1 h 30 m
About My Father
39
3.8
Where to Watch
Summary Sebastian (Sebastian Maniscalco) is encouraged by his fiancée (Leslie Bibb) to bring his immigrant, hairdresser father, Salvo (Robert De Niro), to a weekend get-together with her super-rich and exceedingly eccentric family (Kim Cattrall, Anders Holm, Brett Dier, David Rasche). The weekend develops into what can only be described as a cul...
Directed By: Laura Terruso
Written By: Austen Earl, Sebastian Maniscalco
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Unfavorable
Based on 19 Critic Reviews
39
21% Positive
4 Reviews
4 Reviews
42% Mixed
8 Reviews
8 Reviews
37% Negative
7 Reviews
7 Reviews
Metascore
Generally Unfavorable
Based on 19 Critic Reviews
39
21% Positive
4 Reviews
4 Reviews
42% Mixed
8 Reviews
8 Reviews
37% Negative
7 Reviews
7 Reviews
Secure in his standing as a marquis comedian, Maniscalco makes movies like a guy with nothing to prove, and his confidence buoys and brightens About My Father.
This is sit-com level material and, as such, there’s not much new or interesting that De Niro can bring to the proceedings.
User Score
Generally Unfavorable
Based on 33 User Ratings
3.8
12% Positive
4 Ratings
4 Ratings
45% Mixed
15 Ratings
15 Ratings
42% Negative
14 Ratings
14 Ratings
User Score
Generally Unfavorable
Based on 33 User Ratings
3.8
12% Positive
4 Ratings
4 Ratings
45% Mixed
15 Ratings
15 Ratings
42% Negative
14 Ratings
14 Ratings
IN A NUTSHELL:
When Sebastian tells his old-school Italian immigrant father, Salvo, that he is going to propose to his all-American girlfriend, Salvo has trouble fitting into the family.
The comedy was directed by Laura Terruso. Writing credits go to Austen Earl and the popular comedian himself: Sebastian Maniscalco.
THINGS I LIKED:
Academy Award-winner Robert De Niro and comic Sebastian Maniscalco make the perfect father/son combo in this movie and had great chemistry together. I loved the pair in this movie.
Robert De Niro was awesome and funny, as expected. He’s one of those rare actors that can do drama and comedy equally well. We even get to hear him speak Italian.
I’ve always enjoyed Sebastian Maniscalco’s stand-up comedy shows and physical-comedy schtick, so I’m thrilled to see him in a movie. I hope we get more. It was interesting to see him give his character his own name, probably because he revealed that he got his writing inspiration from his real-life Italian father, whom he often talks about in his stand-up bits.
Other cast members include Leslie Bigg, Kim Cattrall, David Rasche, Anders Holm, and Brett Dier. While their characters are extremely stereotyped, I thought they all did a great job with their roles.
With all of Hollywood’s remakes and superhero sequels, it’s nice to see a script about something new and lighthearted.
TONS of visual humor, especially in the beginning as funny images and narration provide a helpful background story.
We get to see a little bit of Sicily, Italy in video clips and photos. I’ve been to Italy several times but never Sicily…yet!
Lots of entertaining flashbacks.
If you’re a fan of Queer Eye, you’ll get a kick out of Jonathan Van Ness’ cameo.
I loved the cologne walk-through that the father and son did together a few times as they were getting dressed to go out.
THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:
The story has been done many times over, but I still thought it was cute.
Some of the conversations, reactions, and situations are absolutely ridiculous and unrealistic.
It’s hard to feel sorry for a rich, beautiful girl when she throws her tantrum.
Some viewers may not like the narrative style of the film; however, I thought it matched Sebastian’s stand-up content and made the storytelling more charming and funny.
The plot is definitely formulaic and predictable.
Animal lovers: beware!
The humor is cliched and doesn’t always stick the landing.
TIPS FOR PARENTS:
We see a naked rear end of a man
Crude conversations about male anatomical body parts
People smoke cigars and drink a lot of champagne
Report
"About My Father: A Heartwarming Tale of Acceptance with Memorable Bonds and Missed Opportunities"
Rating: 2.5/5 stars
"About My Father" invites audiences into a heartfelt story of a father and son journeying towards acceptance while navigating the complexities of family dynamics and impending in-laws. Anchored by the talents of Sebastian Maniscalco and Robert De Niro, the film delivers genuine laughs, surprises, and showcases their acting prowess. However, it also stumbles in certain areas, such as the reliance on clichéd characters and missed opportunities for further exploration.
One of the film's notable strengths lies in the bonds depicted between Robert De Niro and Sebastian Maniscalco's characters. Their on-screen chemistry adds authenticity and depth to their portrayal of a father and son relationship. Their interactions bring both humorous and touching moments to the forefront, highlighting the complexities of familial connections and the journey towards acceptance.
Additionally, "About My Father" succeeds in capturing genuine laughs. The comedic moments hit their mark, delivering humor that is both relatable and entertaining. The comedic talents of Maniscalco and the seasoned performance of De Niro blend seamlessly, resulting in memorable and enjoyable scenes throughout the film.
However, the reliance on clichéd characters, particularly the portrayal of the "dumb brothers," proves to be a letdown. This reliance on familiar tropes detracts from the overall originality of the story, potentially missing opportunities for more nuanced character development. Additionally, the dynamic between the daughter-in-law and her parents could have benefited from further exploration and fleshing out. While present in the narrative, it feels somewhat underdeveloped, leaving viewers wishing for more depth and impact.
One refreshing aspect of "About My Father" is its setting in a small area. This change of pace from grander settings commonly found in films provides a grounded and intimate atmosphere, emphasizing the importance of family connections and the impact of personal relationships.
Overall, "About My Father" is a solid film that showcases Sebastian Maniscalco's acting abilities and Robert De Niro's continued commitment to delivering strong performances
Report
The supporting cast has its moments, but this movie sinks or swims with this father-son dynamic. And their banter, not the constant “ba-da-BING” of would-be punchlines voiced-over by Maniscalco, is what’s funny.
The film’s cast is great and, though the actors typically have great comedic timing, the dialogue falls flat and renders the humor inert. About My Father has a heart at its center, but it never really gets there in terms of having a compelling story and humor to elevate its scenes.
I admire Maniscalco’s decision to make his character the butt of the jokes, literally and figuratively. If only the jokes were funny. He has zero romantic chemistry with Bibb, who appears to be acting in another movie entirely, but he and De Niro make a credible father and son.
Maniscalco often talks about his father in his stand-up acts. Watching this film enforces the idea that maybe that’s where this story should have stayed.
Comedian Sebastian Maniscalco has co-written and stars in this big sloppy Italian American kiss about family that not only leans into stereotypes — working-class Italians on one side, WASPs on the other — but plows the field with them.
Simple and familiar, but inoffensive and watchable enough. De Niro looks like he’s at least half trying!
Report
(Mauro Lanari)
Stand-up comedian Sebastian Maniscalco entrusts director Laura Terruso with a kind of autobiopic, mistakenly convinced that his existence is fun and deserves to be known.
Report
I will never lose faith in Robert de Niro because of his tremendous cinematic legacy as an actor. That doesn't mean I'll somehow soften my opinion when he delivers films like this one. Since Analyze That I haven't enjoyed any comedy he's starred in, although I can forgive him for films like Last Vegas and The Intern.
The two **** movies were just more of the same.
His chemistry with Sebastian Maniscalco is deficient. He shared more with Zac Efron and that's saying a lot especially when you consider that the comedy is supposed to work between the two of them. About My Father is a comedy that travels down a bumpy road hoping to stumble upon a genuine moment of humor. It never does.
Report
As soon as I realized the father was played (badly) by DeNiro, I was out. He has to stop making movies. It's embarrassing.
Report
Production Company
Lionsgate Films,
Media Capital Technologies,
Depth of Field
Release Date May 26, 2023
Duration 1 h 30 m
Rating PG-13
Genres
Tagline This Memorial Day weekend, feathers will be ruffled.
Awards
Razzie Awards
• 1 Nomination
