"Dirty Grandpa" is essentially a cinematic fraud, which involves selling the audience a generous portion of finest beluga caviar wrapped in a hamburger bun. A rough disguise of a rather tasteless comedy does an amazing job of concealing rich and sophisticated underlying themes which really make the film work. The superb imagery and vivid characters, as well as excellent performances by the cast seal the deal. The movie's main focus is the ever-topical problem of the world perpetually testing our principles and strength of our convictions.
The movie begins with Dick Kelly (Robert De Niro) undertaking a spiritual journey to Boca, looking for a metaphorical Fountain of Youth, embodied in non-Plato'ean plain in the form of Lenore (Aubrey Plaza) - a young lady with a healthy sexual appetite. Dick is accompanied by his grandson Jason (Zac Efron), a character fulfilling both the roles of a doppleganger and representation of a lowest point in a man's life cycle. The chemistry between the characters is instant and powerful, forming a homage-in-reverse to the unforgettable exchange between The Man and The Prejudice in "Un Chien Andalou". Dick, nearing the end of his path, has no fears or reservations, and thoroughly enjoys being himself, while Jason, despite being still young, is completely repressed and imprisoned by denial of his own nature. The plot proceeds to examine the outcomes of their different life choices and moral implications concerned.
The movie's imagery is unbelievably creative and always to the point. A few examples include Dick masturbating to a VHS porn, which is a subtle commentary about dangers of digital centralization and his commitment to privacy and individual freedom. A bee on Jason's penis is yet another nod to Brnuel. Deep and spiritual dialogues between Dick and Lenore are sophisticated to the point of reminding us of Burgess' "nadsat". The crown jewel is the final exchange between Dick and Lenore, her begging him for wisdom and guidance for a simpler, more honest way of life, symbolized by Eisenhower era; and Dick's ambiguous destiny, expressed by possible death through orgasm, his last words echoing Kane's "Rosebud".
The whole cast does an amazing job, but the focal point is casually dominated by De Niro and Plaza, a royal couple of subtle and understated messages. In summation, the movie is well worth the time of any sophisticated viewer anxious for wit and piercing social commentary.
The movie begins with Dick Kelly (Robert De Niro) undertaking a spiritual journey to Boca, looking for a metaphorical Fountain of Youth, embodied in non-Plato'ean plain in the form of Lenore (Aubrey Plaza) - a young lady with a healthy sexual appetite. Dick is accompanied by his grandson Jason (Zac Efron), a character fulfilling both the roles of a doppleganger and representation of a lowest point in a man's life cycle. The chemistry between the characters is instant and powerful, forming a homage-in-reverse to the unforgettable exchange between The Man and The Prejudice in "Un Chien Andalou". Dick, nearing the end of his path, has no fears or reservations, and thoroughly enjoys being himself, while Jason, despite being still young, is completely repressed and imprisoned by denial of his own nature. The plot proceeds to examine the outcomes of their different life choices and moral implications concerned.
The movie's imagery is unbelievably creative and always to the point. A few examples include Dick masturbating to a VHS porn, which is a subtle commentary about dangers of digital centralization and his commitment to privacy and individual freedom. A bee on Jason's penis is yet another nod to Brnuel. Deep and spiritual dialogues between Dick and Lenore are sophisticated to the point of reminding us of Burgess' "nadsat". The crown jewel is the final exchange between Dick and Lenore, her begging him for wisdom and guidance for a simpler, more honest way of life, symbolized by Eisenhower era; and Dick's ambiguous destiny, expressed by possible death through orgasm, his last words echoing Kane's "Rosebud".
The whole cast does an amazing job, but the focal point is casually dominated by De Niro and Plaza, a royal couple of subtle and understated messages. In summation, the movie is well worth the time of any sophisticated viewer anxious for wit and piercing social commentary.