The In-Laws

Directed by Andrew Fleming, The In-Laws details the chaos that unfolds after a CIA agent (Michael Douglas’ Steve Tobias) ropes a foot doctor (Albert Brooks’ Jerry Peyser) into his latest scheme on the eve of their kids’ (Ryan Reynolds’ Mark and Lindsay Sloane’s Melissa) nuptials. It’s an appealingly broad premise that’s employed to watchable yet thoroughly erratic effect by Fleming, as the filmmaker, armed with Nat Mauldin and Ed Solomon’s script, delivers a hit-and-miss comedy that that admittedly benefits from the first-class work of its various performers – with, especially, Brooks’ hilarious turn as the increasingly hysterical podiatrist going a long way towards elevating the proceedings on a relatively frequent basis. There’s little doubt, as a result, that the narrative’s missteps and lulls are rarely as problematic (or disastrous) as one might’ve feared, although it’s equally apparent that certain elements are unable to pack the gut-busting punch for which Fleming is obviously striving – with this particularly true of virtually everything involving David Suchet’s flamboyant villain, Jean-Pierre Thibodoux. By the time the over-the-top finale rolls around, The In-Laws has cemented its place as a decent-enough endeavor that would probably not fare nearly as well were it not for the efforts of its top-notch cast.

**1/2 out of ****