OLD DOGS
Uneven Family Comedy
What You Need To Know
OLD DOGS stars Robin Williams as Dan, an aging divorcee who suddenly discovers that he had fathered a set of 7-year-old twins. His best friend and business partner, Charlie (played by John Travolta), is a confirmed bachelor. Together, they must take care of the twins for two weeks while their mother – the woman Dan married for 24 hours while drunk – has to go to jail for two weeks on a trespassing charge.
Dan is glad to discover that he is actually a father. His son Zach has a “dad list” of things he always wanted a dad to do with him. Dan is awkward around children, however, and struggles to be the perfect dad for two weeks, especially when he learns his daughter Emily had fantasized that he was actually a superhero.
Meanwhile, Dan and Charlie are about to conclude a business deal that will set them up as millionaires for life. As the deadline for the business proposal looms, Dan with twins in tow must move in with Charlie temporarily since his condo is for adults only.
Dan struggles with choices about fatherhood vs. business. When the only way to make the deal turns into a move to Japan, Dan is faced with a choice between success and family.
OLD DOGS is an uneven comedy. There are some funny moments, such as everyone thinking Dan and Charlie are grandfathers. There is some very funny slapstick when Dan is “controlled” by Charlie using technology to help Dan to learn to play with kids. Also, when Dan and Charlie’s prescription medicine is mixed up, they have comical side effects
Some of the jokes fall flat, however, and the story moves over very familiar territory. It also doesn’t ring true when Dan chooses family over business, but there are no consequences to his choice. Though the movie has a short running time, it still drags in some parts. Williams and Travolta rise above the characters as written in the script.
OLD DOGS has a strong moral worldview extolling family and personal relationships. There is only one profanity, and the violence is slapstick in nature. There is some bathroom humor, however. Overall, this PG-rated movie carries a positive message but warrants a light caution.
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Strong moral worldview as character puts family above business, with light Christian reference where a secondary character wears cross; no obscenities and one profanity, plus some bathroom humor and a dog urinates; slapstick violence of two men hit in groin with golf balls, penguins pecking on man, men fall down; no sexual content; no nudity but man appears in underwear; no alcohol; no smoking; and, accidental taking of someone else’s prescription medication.
