Despite its questionable premise, the movie is a surprisingly heartfelt and hilarious journey if you can bear the idea of your parents cat-fishing you
The comedic performances by legends Patton Oswalt and Rachel Dratch (of SNL fame) are excellent, and their chemistry is palpable. Together these two can carry the film and at times I wish they did. Oswalt's portrayal of Chuck, a hopelessly estranged and morally bankrupt father, is especially noteworthy. His character's journey is executed with comedic precision and emotional warmth, making it one of the highlights of the movie.
The movie is also introduces the world to James Morosini's directing talents who also is the lead actor (Oswalts seemingly autistic son.) Morosini's direction and storytelling are solid, and the movie is filled with moments of insight, humor, and heart. His acting brings Jake Gyllenhalls Donnie Darko performance to mind (without the bunny rabbits.)
Overall, "I Love My Dad" is a 6.5 film, enjoyable and thought-provoking enough that is sure to entertain. I recommend it to anyone looking for a good laugh, who can endure the cringe factor of watching a son be hoodwinked into loving an internet avatar by his own father, and to those who are interested in the work of Patton Oswalt and Rachel Dratch.
Review by r96skBlockedParent2023-06-21T02:59:27Z
'I Love My Dad' works way better than it should!
All in all, it's an amusing little flick from 2022. Patton Oswalt is perfectly cast in his role, he is an actor who's work I want to see more and this is a good start in that regard. Elsewhere, Claudia Sulewski impresses highly. It's a fairly tricky role to take on I'd imagine, but she nailed it. Like Oswalt, hope to see more of her!
James Morosini plays Oswalt's character's son and Morosini is also the writer/director if this true (!) story - which I only just found out about as of typing this review, given I didn't know what he looked like and didn't clock the opening credits (assuming they made it clear he was also acting in it). That's cool! Lil Rel Howery is the best of the rest of the cast.
It's a well made film, its music is its standout feature away from those portraying events onscreen. The score for that scene where Rachel Dratch's character makes a discovery is magnificent, I was supremely impressed - it somehow fits so, so well. Scene of the movie, no doubt. Closely followed by the initial 'kissing' scene, admittedly,
None of the more heartfelt moments did anything for me personally, and there are some (intentionally, sure) cringey bits too. Overall though, I enjoyed watching it.