World's Greatest Dad (2009)

When his son's body is found in a humiliating accident, a lonely high school teacher inadvertently attracts an overwhelming amount of community and media attention after covering up the truth with a phony suicide note.

Director:

Bobcat Goldthwait

Writer:

Bobcat Goldthwait

Stars:

Robin Williams, Daryl Sabara, Morgan Murphy

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Robin Williams	...	Lance
Daryl Sabara	...	Kyle Clayton
Morgan Murphy	...	Morgan
Naomi Glick	...	Ginger
Dan Spencer	...	Dan Spencer
Geoff Pierson	...	Principal Anderson
Henry Simmons	...	Mike Lane
Zach Sanchez-Vitale	...	Peter (as Zach Sanchez)
Alexie Gilmore	...	Claire Reed
Evan Martin	...	Andrew
Ellyn Jameson	...	Jennifer (as Ellie Jameson)
Michael Thomas Moore	...	Chris (as Michael Moore)
Ray Buckley	...	Metal Kid (as Alles Mist)
Jermaine Williams	...	Jason
Lorraine Nicholson	...	Heather

Storyline

Lance Clayton is a man who has learned to settle. His son, Kyle's an insufferable jerk. Lance is dating Claire, the school's art teacher, but she doesn't want to get serious or even acknowledge publicly they're dating. In the wake of a freak accident, Lance suffers the worst tragedy -- and greatest opportunity of his life. He is suddenly faced with the possibility of all the fame, fortune and popularity he ever dreamed of; if he can only live with the knowledge of how he got it.

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Plot Keywords:

black comedy | dark comedy | upskirt | single father | teacher | 

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Taglines:

Lance Clayton has: a good job. Lance Clayton has: a great girlfriend. And Lance Clayton has: the world's greatest son.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language, crude and sexual content, some drug use and disturbing images

Did You Know?

Trivia

Writer/director Bobcat Goldthwait and actor Geoff Pierson (who plays the principal) starred together in the television series Unhappily Ever After (1995).

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Goofs

After Kyle's journal is published, the motivational sign over the blackboard in Mike's classroom reads "Hard work is it's own reward". There is no apostrophe in "its" when it is used as a possessive. Mike teaches creative writing.

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Quotes

Lance Clayton: He was a sweet boy.
[laughs]
Lance Clayton: I'm sorry.
Dr. Dana: But there was a lot brewing underneath?
Lance Clayton: The tragedy is, I didn't know until his death how sad he was. Or profound.

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Connections

Featured in The Rotten Tomatoes Show: The Rotten Tomatoes Show Year Endies (2009)

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Soundtracks

I Hope I Become a Ghost
Written by Will Etling (as William Etling), Jesse Hoy, Michael Hughes, and Crash Richard (as Chris Richard),
Performed by The Deadly Syndrome
Courtesy of Downtown Recordings o/b/o Dim Mak Records

User Reviews

Fantastic Film!

Just watched this at the Sundance Film Festival. Absolutely great film. Dark, smart comedy in the spirit of Rushmore. The Bobcat is BACK! Very good cast; great soundtrack. He uses very real issues to simply tell a story about the relationship between an ungrateful punk kid and a painfully weak father. In the Q&A after the film, Bobcat pointed out that most of the comedies being made these days are basically R-rated films made for 13-year-olds (mindless, raunchy, etc.). World's Greatest Dad is a comedy for adults: insightful, original, uncomfortable at times...hilarious. Robin Williams manages to be miserable, mean, touching, and funny without any conflict at all, an inspired break from his traditional roles.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 September 2010 (Ireland)

Also Known As:

World's Greatest Dad

Filming Locations:

Seattle, Washington, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$4,675, 23 August 2009

Gross USA:

$221,805

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$221,805

Company Credits

Production Co:

Magnolia Pictures, Darko Entertainment, Process Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (Alphacine)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1