Movies:
The In-Laws
DVD Release
- Release Date: 2003
- Languages: English, Français & Español
- Subtitles: English, Français, Español, & Português
- cc
- Feature-length audio commentary by Peter Falk, Alan Arkin, director Arthur Hiller, and writer Andrew Bergman
- Interactive menus
- Theatrical trailer
- Scene access
- Cast/director/writer film highlights
- Rating:
- Genre: Action
- Movie Type: Odd Couple Film, Domestic Comedy
- Themes: Wedding Bells, Eccentric Families
- Director: Arthur Hiller
- Main Cast: Peter Falk, Alan Arkin, Richard Libertini, Nancy Dussault, Arlene Golonka, Penny Peyser
- Release Year: 1979
- Country: US
- Run Time: 103 minutes
- MPAA Rating: PG
Plot
Dentist Sheldon Kornpett (Alan Arkin) is a respectable man. He has a daughter who is about to marry the son of a very suspicious character, Vince Ricardo (Peter Falk). They are practically relatives already, the wedding is so near. Certainly, Sheldon already despises Vince as if he were already a well-known relative. Nontheless, Vince calls on Sheldon and convinces him to go with him on a series of wild and hilarious adventures, claiming all the while that he is a CIA agent, and that what he is doing is in the national interest. Sheldon follows Vince to a South American country ruled by a very odd man, General Garcia (Richard Libertini), who talks to his hand (which talks back). It seems that the dictator is involved in a scheme to counterfeit and undermine U.S. currency. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie GuideReview
Why aren't there more films co-starring Alan Arkin and Peter Falk? Writer Andrew Bergman's loopy comedy takes full advantage of the prodigious talent of this double act, giving the two numerous chances to play off one another, and director Arthur Hiller artfully builds the comedy one ticklish brick at a time. In comedies, pace is everything: Even master directors of rigorously timed action films such as Steven Spielberg have bombed badly (1941) when they've tried to be funny. Bergman and Hiller start with a solid-enough premise, the old joke about crazy in-laws, and slowly, quietly add comic layer upon layer. Arkin's mournful gravity lends a humorous reality to the film and Falk's lunacy is so unaffected it seems almost innocent. Yet he's sly, too: The audience can sense his character's innate shrewdness no matter how crazy he seems. Michael Lembeck and Penny Peyser contribute nice bits as the betrothed -- their reaction to the money their fathers have scammed is priceless -- as does Ed Begley Jr. as a CIA station chief. Only Richard Libertini seems to go over the top as the lunatic South American dictator. Still, as in later Bergman works such as The Freshman, there's an underlying affection and sweetness to The In-Laws that makes it a treat. ~ Nick Sambides, Jr., All Movie GuideCast
- Peter Falk - Vince Ricardo
- Alan Arkin - Sheldon Kornpett
- Richard Libertini - Gen. Garcia
- Nancy Dussault - Carol Kornpett
- Arlene Golonka - Jean Ricardo
- Penny Peyser - Barbara Kornpett
Ed Begley, Jr. - Barry Lutz; Michael Lembeck - Tommy Ricardo; Carmine Caridi - Angie; Sammy Smith - Mr. Hirschorn; James Hong - Bing Wong; Brass Adams - Deliveryman #2; Sergio Calderon - Alfonso; Álvaro Carcaño - Edgardo; Barbara Dana - Bank Teller; John Day - T Man #3; Rosanna de Soto; Art Evans - Driver; John Finnegan - Deliveryman #1; Mitchell Group - Second Guard; Rozsika Halmos - Mrs. Adelman; John Hostetter - Workman; Eduardo Noriega - Senator Jesus Braunschweiger; David Paymer - Cab Driver; Maurice Sneed - Paint Boy; Kent Williams - Ski Mask; Jorge Zepeda - Carlos; Carmen Dragon - Carmen Dragon; Peter Miller - Bank Manager; Paul L. Smith - Mo; Ellen Clark - Ad Lib #4; Tom Degidon - Bartender; Danny Kwan - Billy Wong; Dick Wieand - Al; Jim Goodwin - Guard; John Hancock - T Man #1
