Robert De Niro has played an overprotective father terrorising his would-be son-in-law. While those stories focussed more on silly and unfortunate events unfolding, this one is centred around Salvo (Robert De Niro), an Italian immigrant hairdresser with a ‘resting b*tch face,’ who has raised his son Sebastian (Sebastian Maniscalco) in a typical manner. What should happen when a judgemental hard-to-please man comes face-to-face with a ridiculously wealthy and eccentric family? An interesting ride when the two parties collide. More so because each is quirky and rigid in their ways. What director Laura Terruso serves is not a clash of people but cultures. On the one hand, we have a penny-pinching taskmaster, and on the other, parents who mollycoddle their children. Sebastian loves Ellie (Leslie Bibb) as deeply as Salvo loves his roots, and one of the two might need to give in. Who will win in this family vs fiancee game? About My Father is about Sebastian Maniscalco and is loosely based on his relationship with his father. While one can imagine what that must be like in real life, on-screen, it’s a hilarious ride replete with clever humour and sarcasm. It does have its dose of slapstick comedy, as Ellie’s entitled brother Lucky (Anders Holm) decides to bully Sebasitian, and Salvo tries to fit in, causing some hilarious goof-ups. Characterisation is its strong point since the movie is primarily about two families. From the middle-class Sicilian Salvo to the uppity Collins—Tigger (Kim Cattrall), her husband Bill (David Rasche), their overly spiritual younger son, Doug Collins (Brett Dier) and Lucky. The polar opposite worldviews and people make for an interesting narrative. Robert De Niro is outstanding, and his scenes with Sebastian, whether bonding despite being at odds or mocking the Collins’ foibles are well-done. While their chemistry shines, they deliver snarky lines with much aplomb and ease. Kim Cattrall is equally impressive as a strong-headed and snobbish woman. There’s a sequence about her getting a hairdo from Salvo, which is rather rib-tickling. About My Father may not have a fresh premise, and the viewer knows what to expect, but the interactions between the characters and the funny dialogue give it a new take. The movie is worth visiting the theatres for performances and one-liners.Read more

The first time I watched the trailer of About My Father, I could notice a few traits of my own father in Robert De Niro — quirky, protective and disapproved of anything that wasn’t listed in his playbook. Little did I know that I would get a full blown version of him on the screen with the film and it would make me want to immediately hug my dad. Released by Lionsgate, About My Father revolves around a father, Salvo (Robert De Niro) and his son Sebastian, played by Sebastian Maniscalco. The film, said to be loosely based on Sebastian Maniscalco’s relationship with his father, puts the spotlight on an Italian father-son duo. While Salvo, an immigrant hairsylist living in Chicago and set in his own ways, his son Sebastian is trying to make it big in the hotel space. Sebastian is dating a rich American, played by Leslie Bibb, and intends on proposing to her during the 4th of July weekend. However, Salvo insists he will pass down the family’s traditional ring only if he feels that the family is fit for his son. What follows is a series of unfortunate, hilarious events which not only pokes fun at fancy Americans but also Salvo’s eccentric behaviour, and tests his relationship with Sebastian. The crisp one and a half film keeps you engaged from the start to end. Sebastian Maniscalco, who wrote the story, and director Laura Terruso pack in just the right amount of laughs and slip in doses of emotions, allowing you to connect with the relationship. It comes as no surprise that Robert De Niro is the heart and soul of the film. He owns the character like he has been Salvo for decades now. He outshines everyone in the movie, making Sebastian also weak in a few scenes. Sebastian ensures his comic presence doesn’t get lost in the storytelling but also doesn’t overdo it. Kim Cattrall perfectly blends with De Niro in intense scenes, their on-screen love-hate chemistry shines, making me want to see a little more of their banter. The Sex in the City star also has a strong screen presence, taking your attention away from David Rasche and Anders Holm with absolute ease. Brett Dier might be playing a role in the background but his scenes with De Niro leave you in splits. The climax did feel a little weak, as though Sebastian wasn’t sure how to draw an end to the well set movie so he decided to resort to cliches and wrap things up. You could notice the graph take a dip but it doesn’t take away the wholesome experience that the film offers so far. Read more