John Smith I was catching up with some of Robin Williams brilliant work (standup and movies) after his tragic demise.Robin Williams plays Lance Clayton, high school poetry teacher and single parent. Lance Clayton is a failed writer, having had several books rejected. His son Kyle performs poorly at school, is ill tempered and disobedient, with few friends. After his son's death caused by autoerotic asphyxiation, Lance makes the death look like suicide. When the school students interpret Kyle's fake suicide note as deeply intelligent, and become the late Kyle's new best friends, Lance exploits this by publishing Kyle's fake Journal. Finally Lance admits Kyle's true cause of death and that he wrote Kyle's Journal. The message of the film is that its better to be alone than to be with people who make you feel alone.World's Greatest Dad, is probably better titled World's Worst Dad. Neither parent or child have much empathy for each other. Both seemed to be 'losers'. The cause of Kyle's death seems implausible, given Kyle's likely novice experience. The film seems to be seeking attention through highlighting taboo subjects. The message of being alone and unliked, fails for me as the film does not offer solutions for better parenting and focuses for a time on youth suicide, which is not properly dealt with.The acting was OK, but I felt the messages in the film were off key and inappropriate. 5.5/10

Carson Barker What can I say about this movie… Well it wasn't spectacular. Acting was not great. It was advertised as a comedy, but I honestly only laughed one time. It was worth watching, but I wouldn't recommend it to many people. Robin Williams was the only reason this movie was half way decent. In the end, this movie sucked Robin William's dick in a swimming pool.

Pranav Rohit Kasinath Madhurabharatula What is with Robin Williams and father figures? Whether it is playing that role in the much – dissed Old Dogs, or the much acclaimed Jumanji, or the much ho hummed Hook, he seems to have an addiction for the father figure role and the opportunity to change lives and reconnect with his on-screen children. While the title might force you to expect a run of the mill Disney quality story about the virtues of fatherhood, WGD offers you something quite different with the blackest comedy in recent times.What happens to a father figure who fails in his task? How do you deal with a son who is not only a sexual deviant with disturbing tastes, but is also bogged down with serious developmental problems? This is no cheesy love tale of father and son or about a busy single father finding love and happiness. Its a movie which redefines the term lonely and cuts to the bone, while laying bare the hypocrisy in society. They say Humor and Comedy are great media to make meaningful movies . WGD goes the distance and offers something new with every viewing.The premise is shocking. After a monologue from Williams laying bare his aspirations to be a writer we are introduced to the puerile and disturbing person that is his son -Kyle(Sabara). He hates his dad for no particular reason, dominates him at every turn and has no respect for his authority. He has no friends at school, no respect for women and behaves quite abominably. Sabara plays his role so well that you have no sympathy for his character and your gut actually wrenches with his disturbing portrayal. I believe that this reaction from the audience would make what follows one of the most memorable comedies of recent times.Contrasted against Kyle is the bland and troubled school teacher that Williams so effortlessly portrays. His Poetry course is the least popular in the school, he has a girlfriend Claire(Gilmore) who is ashamed of being seen with him and who he is slowly losing to the most popular teacher in school, Mike(Simmons). The Principal (Pierson) threatens to fire him and expel his son . And his Son hates him. In addition, his attempts at being a writer seem to be going nowhere. Goldthwaite spends a major part of the movie laying out the principal characters and driving home the complete loser – team that Lance and his Son Kyle make. Suddenly, when you least expect it, Kyle dies – in extremely embarrassing circumstances true to character. To hide the circumstances of his son's death, Lance fakes a suicide, writes a fake suicide note and tries to put it all behind him. But his troubles are just beginning.What follows is an amazing and insightful portrayal of the effects of death and how it serves to clean the image of a person…to make his memory greater than life and how it can cover even the most tarnished reputation in a Halo of greatness. When the accidental publication of the suicide note transforms Kyle into a cult figure, Lance is left bewildered and shocked at the turn of events. I wont give away more of this plot, watch it…you wont regret it.This movie was not made for the mainstream, nor was it made to satisfy the optimist in us. Its bitter sweet portrayal of the American Middle Class with all its problems and missed opportunities is an ode to the beauty of the Screenplay, Writing and Direction. The success of the movie also lies in the amazing performances of the Supporting Cast, whether it is the ambivalent Girlfriend played by Alexie Gilmore or the confident teacher played by Simmons. Even the students and their volte face regarding their feelings for Kyle is something that is believably done with just the right exaggeration that separates humor from reality. In the end, the main message that, it is possible to feel all alone even when surrounded by people couldn't be clearer.I was quite impressed with how far Sabara has come. The only other memorable role of his that I remember is his innocent and worried portrayal of Juni Cortez in Spy Kids all those years ago. As Kyle, Sabara is at his very best and shows his ability to venture into the experimental territory of Hollywood that separates good actors from great ones. Robin Williams needs no introduction. He is one of the best actors that Hollywood has to offer and he justifies this time and again. Other actors in Hollywood would do well to learn from him. He is a a whirlpool of emotion throughout the film, whether it is embarrassment, suspicion, laughter or crushing sadness, Robbins plays them all well and plays them with elan.The One Complaint I have regarding the film is the length. With a two hour film, Goldthwaite might have had more to time to make the reactions a little more convincing and to spend more time showing how Kyle's death acts as a catalyst for change in attitude. As it transpires, one and a half hours takes something away from the natural development of the plot and makes it seem a little rushed and contrived. However I was still very happy with the overall result.My Final word is this: One of the Best Movies of 2010, World's Greatest Dad is a stunning achievement from a relatively new director and a critical success. From the leading performances to the Screenplay, the movie is pure magic and has something for all of us. Where it succeeds is in baring the human soul. Fans of meaningful cinema – Don't miss this one!! Four Stars out of Five.

GeoPierpont With so many polarized reviews, I knew this one would prove incendiary given the starring role with Robin Williams. If you are a parent, if you have known someone who has profited from their child's death and did not take the road less chosen, or if you have a child that treats you like S, oh and like the SLOW zombie movies, this hidden treasure will not let you down.Many can relate to life beating you down into submission, but witnessing the glory of redemption, becoming human once more is exasperatingly gratifying! Mr. Bobcat, you provided the biggest surprise in this script, compels me to opine your father did....lol.You view VoxPop so quizzically with a flip of a coin and comprehend why many instant famers are so insecure. Flames that burn the brightest mostly fade with even more fervor. Happiness is fleeting? Try fame and fortune. Live and Die in LA is well translated in this art piece.I am none too pleased to share my enthusiasm for this project from stem to stern. This is a wild ride for the most discriminating film viewers.Very High Recommend. PS - It was uplifting, tragic, hilarious, and seXy!