This was such a refreshing, charming movie -- a small film that doesn't pretend to be any bigger. It follows the old Hollywood formula of "beginning, middle, end," and does so with just the right touches. Dennis Quaid is evocative of James Garner some 20-30 years ago -- and that's quite a compliment, Dennis. As for Topher Grace, it is rare to see such a sensitive, restrained performance in such a young actor. Hopefully he won't get suckered into a succession of forgettable roles.
As for the story line, is it believable? Speaking as a middle-aged male with a couple of decades in the corporate workplace, I would say most emphatically, "yes." One minor criticism -- and this may have been the result of post-production editing -- is the almost superficial treatment of Ann and Alex Foreman's reaction to Ann's pregnancy. Ditto for the daughters. Were we to believe that a middle-age couple (he is 50+, she is mid- to late 40s), not to mention their two teenage daughters, just accept as a matter of course, with no evident angst, the prospect of yet another little Foreman on the way? Maybe that would have worked in "Father Knows Best."
But this was minor nit to pick. This is a must-see for any middle-aged guy in the corporate workplace who feels threatened by 20-somethings fresh out of school.
As for the story line, is it believable? Speaking as a middle-aged male with a couple of decades in the corporate workplace, I would say most emphatically, "yes." One minor criticism -- and this may have been the result of post-production editing -- is the almost superficial treatment of Ann and Alex Foreman's reaction to Ann's pregnancy. Ditto for the daughters. Were we to believe that a middle-age couple (he is 50+, she is mid- to late 40s), not to mention their two teenage daughters, just accept as a matter of course, with no evident angst, the prospect of yet another little Foreman on the way? Maybe that would have worked in "Father Knows Best."
But this was minor nit to pick. This is a must-see for any middle-aged guy in the corporate workplace who feels threatened by 20-somethings fresh out of school.