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

The following classic movies are mentioned in a single scene: The Birdcage (1996), a movie that Robin Williams himself stars in, Sweet Charity (1969), All That Jazz (1979), Cabaret (1972), The Sound of Music (1965), Star 80 (1983), Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971) and Young Frankenstein (1974).

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Goofs

The footprints Kyle leaves on the glovebox in his dad's car change position when his dad looks at them again after Kyle's death.

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Quotes

Andrew: I think they're doing it.
Kyle: What? You think that they're fucking? Andrew, Andrew, you have to understand that fucking pussy's virgin shit, alright?

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Connections

References The Thing (1982)

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Soundtracks

Sneaking Up on Boo Radley
Written and Performed by Bruce Hornsby
Courtesy of The RCA Records Label
By arrangement with SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT

User Reviews

Never judge a box by its cover

When World's Greatest Dad first came out I knew nothing of it. Completely slipped under my radar. Judging by the box however, I automatically assumed it was going to be a silly Robin Williams family comedy along the lines of Old Dogs or R.V. and I avoided it. How wrong I was on that assumption .....

Recently I read an interview with Bobcat where he talked about this, plus another movie he made concerning bestiality (Stay, or Sleeping Dogs Lie, depending on who you ask I guess) and I was like "really? Bobcat made this?" so I looked it up. With positive memories of Shakes the Clown, plus a good understanding of Bobcat's twisted side (Post-Police Academy days that is) World's Greatest Dad became a must see title for me. Coincidentally a couple days later I found it for $4 in a clearance section so I grabbed it .....

I went in not knowing what to expect, but from the Bobcat interview, I had a basic idea of its dark tone. I knew there was gonna be some unexpected twists, and that it was not going to be a typical family comedy as the title/box art might suggest, but I had no idea it was gonna be quite like this. For the record, I say that in a good way. It would be difficult for me to say anymore without giving away any spoilers, so I'll leave it at this: World's Greatest Dad was incredible, and refreshing for its originality. If you can appreciate comedy with an unforgiving cynicism and a dark side then watch this movie with a clean slate and an open mind, you won't be disappointed.

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