There’s only one problem with this flawless film: it’s really smart. And was released just days too late, to be considered for Best Picture of 2004. From the director/writer Paul Weitz (“About A Boy”) father always knows best when Dan Foreman (Dennis Quaid), a middle-aged dad, finds himself suddenly answering to his new boss, Carter (Topher Grace) a twenty-six year old hot-shot, whose firm has just taken over the company. And if that isn’t enough, Carter is about to fall for Alex (Scarlett Johansson) Dan’s daughter, cursed with a functional family. Like his disarming, underdog role in “The Rookie”, Quaid tackles this well-balanced story of age-clash to perfection. While Quaid’s character Dan is dealing with second mortgages and tuition payments, Carter is dealing with smashing his new Porsche. One man tries to embrace life, while one man tries to escape it, neglecting to stop and smell the baked ziti. And in the end we learn what older people know all along – all the MBA’s and Rolex watches don’t compare to life’s experience at home or in the work place. Johansson is her usual charming and engaging self, which newcomer Topher Grace has the qualities of a Tobey Maguire. A really brilliant movie that will make you laugh and make you stand to applaud, when the credits role.
