Go See World's Greatest Dad at the Guild... (to be blunt)

I could do a great disservice by starting this post with the question, “Do you like ‘soundtrack driven’ movies?” You know the type- a movie so intrinsically bound to its musical accompaniment that there can be no separation. Some examples that quickly come to mind are Garden State, Easy Rider, Pulp Fiction and Trainspotting.

The latest offering from Writer/Director Bobcat Goldthwait is one such movie. That’s right, the guy that brought us Shakes the Clown has released another film. It was well received at Sundance this year and now it has come to Albuquerque. If you're like me, you probably first encountered the twisted talent that is Bob Goldthwait in Police Academy, as I did.

The mere fact that World’s Greatest Dad is playing locally for a short engagement at the Guild is not its only local connection. The co-producer and costume designer was Sarah de Sa Rego, a former Duke City resident who also worked on Jackass 2, and logged in a few years behind the scenes at the Jimmy Kimmel Show, among others. I once attended a friend's birthday karaoke party at Liesure Bowl's "Ed's Pub", and Sarah and Bob were there (they are now married, by the by). I kept hoping and hoping Bobcat had a particular number that he liked to do, but he never once left his seat. I did Rapper's Delight. My friend Christian did Hungry Like The Wolf. The birthday girl did Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'.

Oh, and Robin Williams stars. World’s Greatest Dad is a dark comedy. And by dark I mean black as squid ink. You will abhor the characters in this movie, especially Robin Williams' character's son. But you will love what unfolds after a tragic event and the subsequent transformation of the microcosm that is High School. You will revel in a sort of "been there, seen that" feeling that evokes the shallowness and twisted logic of those fragile adolescent years, the imagined goings on of the teacher's lounge, all set to a mix of schlocky adult contemporary and pertinent indie rock. At least the adult contemporary has a plot line attached to it- and one that makes you smile, in the film's culmination.

Here is one of the songs in particular that moves the film forward and shares its theme with the plot:


I should say that the film is not for everyone. Sexual prudes need not apply. Nor should those who have an aversion to Robin Williams. As usual, he has his weak moments, and can be prone to overacting. However, this is not your typical "Big Hollywood" vehicle for him, and I think he does a great job in a difficult role. So you're not going in blind, I have provided a short clip to show some of the flavor of this great movie:


And here's the complete soundtrack listing:

1. "Invisible" by Bruce Hornsby
2. "Sneaking Up On Boo Radley" by Bruce Hornsby
3. "Is You Is, Or Is You Ain't My Baby" by Bruce Hornsby
4. "It's a Good Day" by Peggy Lee
5. "Song C" by Bruce Hornsby
6. "The Creeper, (High)" by Tom Kenny, Darius Holbert, Jerry Brunskill, Ryan Rees, and Andy Paley
7. "Don't Be Afraid, You're Already Dead" by Akron / Family
8. "I Hope I Become A Ghost" by The Deadly Syndrome
9. "Shadow Hand" by Bruce Hornsby
10. "Genius" by Inara George
11. "Mandolin Rain" by Bruce Hornsby
12. "Under Pressure" by Queen & David Bowie
13. "Tiny Spark" by Brendan Benson

So, if you like Bruce Hornsby (or can't stand him and relish the thought of a movie poking a little fun at him) and tales of single-parenting in a storm of prurient teenage angst isn’t off putting to you… I highly recommend this indie arthouse offering. You had better act fast, you only have two more nights.

World's Greatest Dad shows tonight and tomorrow night ONLY, 8:30pm, at The Guild Theatre.