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'Son in Law': Giving Thanks with the Weasel

Second Chances #6

By Adam WallacePublished 6 years ago 4 min read
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Hello, and welcome back to Second Chances where I give the maligned and forgotten another shot.

Okay, I'm about to do something so heinous and nonsensical that I think it warrants the death penalty in several states. It's something that some may consider to be the ultimate act of evil.

I'm going to defend a Pauly Shore movie.

...

Okay, has everyone run away screaming who's going to? Great, now let's look at one of the only Thanksgiving movies I'm aware of that has become a Turkey Day tradition at my house, Son In Law, AKA "The Only Pauly Shore Movie Worth Watching".

Back in 1992, a little comedy called Encino Man hit the theaters, a dumb comedy about two high school losers who unbury a frozen caveman whom they try to use as their ticket to popularity. Critics trashed it back then, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. It starred a Between-Goonies-and-Lord-of-the-Rings Sean Astin and introduced the world to Brendan Fraser, but it was also the cinematic launchpad for a weird MTV VJ named Pauly Shore. His part in the movie was basically just a performance of the surfer bro persona he created for his stand-up act named "The Weasel." Having seen some old video of his on-stage Weasel performances, I can safely say that it can be funny for a few minutes, but it burns out very quickly. It does have a bit more staying power when it's played opposite of strong supporting characters, however. That was demonstrated in Encino Man and definitely in Pauly Shore's first starring vehicle Son In Law.

The plot of the movie involves a college freshman named Becca, played by the always-appealing Carla Gugino. She moves from her family's farm in South Dakota to go to college in California. There she meets Pauly's character Crawl (nicknamed that "because that's how I always got home") who befriends her and helps her adjust to the new area. When Thanksgiving break rolls around, Becca learns that Crawl's plans fell through, leaving him alone for the holiday; so, she invites him to spend the holiday with her less-than-enthusiastic family. When Becca learns that her high-school boyfriend Travis (played by Dan Gauthier) intends to propose before she's ready, Crawl makes up a story that she's marrying him instead. Hi-jinks ensue.

As I said before, Pauly's Weasel persona can get very grating very quickly when he's performing by himself. However, when that persona is trading off with a "straight man" character, it becomes very funny. Easily the best moments in the movie are the interactions between him and Becca's father, played by the late great character actor Lane Smith. Pauly also knew when to dial it back such as in his interactions with Becca's brother Zack, played by Patrick Renna; he wasn't all Weasel, all the time like in his later films. As such, you end up supporting him by the end when Becca's embittered boyfriend tries to sabotage the "wedding."

Another thing that makes Son In Law work is that, unlike most starring vehicles, this movie gives plenty of great material to the supporting characters as well. Lane Smith and Cindy Pickett have great chemistry as Becca's parents and more than a few very funny moments. Patrick Renna practically gives a class on 90s sarcasm with his performance (much like he did in The Sandlot) but remains likeable throughout. Dan Gauthier and Dennis Burkley (who plays the abrasive farmhand Theo) make very effective antagonists, even if they do go over the top quite a bit. However, the guy that got me laughing the most was the grandfather played by veteran actor Mason Adams. His surprise dead-pan wisecracks constantly caught me off-guard and made me bust up. He didn't have many lines throughout the movie, but he made every one of them count. About the only disappointment was with the character of Tracy, played by a pre-90210 Tiffani Amber Thiessen (her film debut). Though she had a couple of funny moments reacting to Crawl, she was largely in the movie just to be lusted after.

The film has plenty of setpiece moments that just work as far as I'm concerned. The chase through the cornfields with John Denver's "Thank God I'm a Country Boy" playing was a hoot as was a scene when Crawl steals the mic from a square dance caller. While I've never been a fan of dumb comedy, it works here due to the balance between Crawl's outrageous behavior and the reactions from Becca's straight-edged family.

Son In Law is easily Pauly Shore's best movie. Now, that definitely sounds like faint praise, like if I said that herpes was the preferred STD, but I do mean that there's plenty to like here. The supporting cast did a great job, and Pauly's Weasel character doesn't wear out its welcome like it usually does. While Planes, Trains, & Automobiles may be the definitive Thanksgiving movie, Son In Law is a surprisingly fun alternative. Plug it in, and get a few laughs while you're stuffing the turkey this year.

Any other movies that deserve another shot? Let me know, and have a Happy Thanksgiving!

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About the Creator

Adam Wallace

I put up pieces here when I can, mainly about games and movies. I'm also writing movies, writing a children's book & hosting the gaming channel "Cool Media" on YouTube! Enjoy & find me on Twitter!

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