Why Him?

Why Him? is a 2016 comedy film directed by John Hamburg and co-written by Hamburg and Ian Helfer. The movie boasts a compelling and hilarious ensemble cast, featuring James Franco, Bryan Cranston, Zoey Deutch, Tangie Ambrose, Megan Mullally and Griffin Gluck.

The film is centered on the charismatic young billionaire and tech entrepreneur Laird Mayhew, portrayed with comedic brilliance by James Franco. Laird is quirky, eccentric, foul-mouthed and loaded with buckets of money but his heart beats for one person only - a young Stanford student Stephanie Fleming, played by Zoey Deutch. Stephanie, the apple of her father's eye, is a firm-hearted young woman who balances her love for Laird with the love for her family, effortlessly navigating the choppy waters when the two worlds collide.

The premise is set when Stephanie invites her overprotective, conventional Midwestern family - father Ned (Bryan Cranston), mother Barb (Megan Mullally), and younger brother Scotty (Griffin Gluck) to Stanford for Christmas to introduce them to Laird. The ensuing events play out when the contrasting worlds of Laird’s over-the-top Silicon Valley mansion and the Flemings' conservative Midwest sensibilities clash in unpredictable ways. This also brings Tangie Ambrose as Patty Dunne into the equation, as Laird’s no-nonsense estate manager, adding another layer of humor and complexity to the mix.

Bryan Cranston, known for his vast range of roles, further amplifies his repertoire as the well-intentioned but tightly wound father who struggles to reconcile his conservative values with the outlandishly eccentric Laird. Megan Mullally portrays the dimension of an understanding, fun-loving mother who along with their son Griffin Gluck, gets drawn into Laird's magnetic persona, leaving Ned feeling alienated.

Visually, the film thrives in the glamor of California along with the outlandishly opulent Silicon Valley mansion designed with modernistic architecture and filled with eccentric modern art around every corner. The ambiance adds another level of comedic impact as the Flemings gravely attempt to navigate the strange new world.

The story progresses with confounding culture clashes and missteps, seasoned with a vault of profanity, absurd behavior, and hilarious misunderstandings. However, at its heart, the film explores familial ties, the fear of change, and the lengths an unconventional guy like Laird would go to in order to gel with the Flemings and gain the acceptance of Ned, the gatekeeper to his beloved Stephanie.

The writing in Why Him? comes with memorable one-liners and moments that exploit the comedic prowess and chemistry between Franco and Cranston. It brings to life a unique comic universe where the conventional family structure is tested in goofy, unimaginable ways against Laird's extravagant, unrestricted lifestyle, tangled up with tendrils of hilarious awkwardness and unpredictability.

The comedy in Why Him? is audacious, relying on Franco's performance as Laird, making this film one of his defining comedy roles. Meanwhile, Cranston’s brilliantly nuanced performance adds a leveled gravitas balancing Franco’s audaciousness - they become an odd couple forced to navigate a minefield of hilarious situations, creating a delightful comic tension unfolding through the course of the movie.

Simultaneously, Deutch's character ensures that Stephanie is more than just a spectators to the comic chaos; she is a crucial pivot and the glue binding these polar opposites together. Her performance conveys the struggling daughter caught between her eccentric boyfriend and conservative father. Meanwhile, Mullally as Barb progresses from her initial suffocating straight-laced persona to reveal a zany side, lending the narrative depth and humor.

Why Him? is laden with vulgar humor, wild absurdities, and unrelenting comedic situations but underneath it all rests a heartwarming commentary on the bond of family and the lengths one would travel to protect and connect it. The movie's failures and triumphs lie within its audacious characters and situations, humorously mirroring the primal fear of every parent confronting their child's choice of life partner who opposes their value system.

In essence, John Hamburg's Why Him? strikes a balance between hearty laughter and heartfelt emotion. The excellent performances, flamboyantly absurdities, and an endearing core make it a delightful comedic ride worth watching. So, buckle up for this comedy roller coaster unfolding amidst the backdrop of the glossy Silicon Valley and enjoy the wildly hilarious clash of cultures and personalities.