The In-Laws

Name: The In-Laws
Genre: Action, Thriller, Comedy
Released: May 23, 2003
Duration: 98 min
Rating: 46
Cast: Albert Brooks, Lindsay Sloane, Michael Douglas, Ryan Reynolds

2003

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 32 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 18 Ratings

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6.7

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6.7	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 18 Ratings

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The In-Laws

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Movie Details & Credits

Warner Bros. Pictures | Release Date: May 23, 2003 | PG-13

Starring: Albert Brooks, Lindsay Sloane, Michael Douglas, Ryan Reynolds

Summary: When prospective fathers-in-law Steve Tobias (Douglas) and Jerry Peyser (Brooks) meet for the first time to celebrate their children's upcoming marriage, the cake hits the fan. (Warner Bros.)

Director: Andrew Fleming

Genre(s): Action, Thriller, Comedy

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 98 min

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Critic Reviews

William Arnold

Douglas brings a hilarious kind of Gordon Gekko assurance to his character, and Brooks' long-suffering, naggy persona -- which hasn't had a showcase this strong since "Lost in America" -- sparks off it like Hope with Crosby. Read full review

Ray Conlogue

But uneven acting isn't fatal here, since Andrew Bergman's screenplay is strong enough and Andrew Fleming's direction seamless enough to carry it forward. Read full review

Premiere Jill Bernstein

Albert Brooks is expertly cast as a hopelessly neurotic, fanny-pack-wearing podiatrist. Read full review

Lisa Schwarzbaum

While much of The In-Laws feels stuck in time, what really does it in is the script's boring, modern sensitivity to fatherhood, and bonding with one's kids, and all that enlightened parenthood crap. Read full review

Michael Wilmington

Like too many movies these days, takes a clever little idea and all but pounds it into the ground. Read full review

Scott Tobias

Perhaps the oddest thing about The In-Laws is that it's aimed at an audience old enough to remember not only the original, but also how much funnier it seemed at the time. Read full review

Michael Atkinson

A walking-talking affront to every middle-class middle-ager it intends to sucker, this remake of the 1979 accidental-classic screwball hits every wrong note and trips on every chair leg. Read full review

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User Reviews

ChadB.

Jan 25, 2008

Kind of a "get smart" for the 21st century, very entertaining.

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KenR

Sep 13, 2020

This is for the original '79 version: Alan Arkin and Peter Falk make a neat team as a Dentist and a CIA agent in this crazy comedy of a miss-matched pair in a series of desperate situations. Whether in NY City or a foreign dictator’s war-torn desert nation they are constantly in peril andThis is for the original '79 version: Alan Arkin and Peter Falk make a neat team as a Dentist and a CIA agent in this crazy comedy of a miss-matched pair in a series of desperate situations. Whether in NY City or a foreign dictator’s war-torn desert nation they are constantly in peril and uproarious danger. Many funny lines and crazy characters make this a fast-moving romp from start to finish. Dialogue is slightly rough at the start but settles down to concentrate on the fun situations as it moves along. Will please fans of the two stars and features a very funny turn by Richard Libertini (that has to be seen!) as a crazy general.… Expand

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beingryanjude

Aug 28, 2014

To call The In-Laws unfunny and mediocre would be a lie. Michael Douglas and Albert Brooks are genius together. It may often be over the top, but it's satisfying and hilarious.

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shiftworker

Aug 22, 2016

An action-comedy is a difficult thing to get right and this movie doesn't make it, but it's a tongue-in-cheek romp and both Michael Douglas and Ryan Reynolds are up for that, so there's enough fun to be had to keep watching to the end. Then you'll barely remember even having watched it, soAn action-comedy is a difficult thing to get right and this movie doesn't make it, but it's a tongue-in-cheek romp and both Michael Douglas and Ryan Reynolds are up for that, so there's enough fun to be had to keep watching to the end. Then you'll barely remember even having watched it, so if you need to pass time for an hour or so you could do worse. David Suchet as the villain made me cringe.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

JeffreyL.S.

May 26, 2003

I'm a huge fan of Albert Brooks & the orig. '79 version of "In-Laws" terrific! But the only thing that even keeps this from being an all-out bad-film is it's 2 stars & still barely at that. I cannot recall one scene & this is a 1st for Brooks, that was a real funny-bit? FalkI'm a huge fan of Albert Brooks & the orig. '79 version of "In-Laws" terrific! But the only thing that even keeps this from being an all-out bad-film is it's 2 stars & still barely at that. I cannot recall one scene & this is a 1st for Brooks, that was a real funny-bit? Falk was perfect in first & Arkin was a good straight man. I like to compare films in own right though. & In any right, this soon to be gone remake is just about a total dud. & Candy Bergen has an asinine throw away cameo as well.… Expand

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PatC.

Jun 30, 2006

Awful in the early going, finger poised over the remote to stop the pain, but it does become watchable while remaining insultingly stupid.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

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