Customer Reviews

Daddy & Them [VHS]

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

I gave this movie four stars because I laughed almost throughout. When I sit down to watch a comedy, I don't care about plot so much as I care about being entertained in an original way. Daddy & Them is funny because it echoes real life... not my life, but some people I've had the misfortune of getting trapped next to for seemingly unending periods. This movie has some of the most stupid conversation I've ever heard, played with flawlessly straight faces - and that's what's funny. I wish I could go over all the wonderfully funny parts, but that would spoil it for you :). It's definitely worth at least one viewing. I'm adding it to my DVD collection.

For fans of Billy Bob Thornton, this is a great film, because he gets a lot of screen time. After all he wrote the screenplay. There is a shot of him in cut-off jeans with no shirt and a little further into the movie he wakes up with a shirt on, but with his bluejeans (full-length jeans) down to the top of his, what else?, cowboy boots, and later still we get to visit him in the bathroom where he is wearing a shirt, and well....a magazine. Those are the highlights of his wardrobe as I recall them, keeping in mind a lot of discussions with Laura Dern (wife Ruby in the film) took place before going to sleep..don't know what he wearing below the chest, but mostly he didn't sleep with his shirt on.

But enough about Billy Bob's wardrobe, down to the film now; be prepared to laugh when you get to see 'Daddy & Them". Especially if you happen to be from the south. You are going to feel right at home among the Montgomery family.
The script is cute and touching and it made me laugh out loud lots of times... I haven't done that in a movie for a long time. Being a southern girl by birth, I could readily relate to the communication problems this family was facing.
I like the way Thornton thinks, writes, and acts. He's a keeper for his talent, no doubt about it.
This is the story of a dysfunctional southern family with a lot of personal history.
Claude Montgomery (Billy Bob) now married to Ruby (Laura Dern - Billy Bob's ex-girlfriend), once dated her sister Rose (Kelly Preston - Mrs. John Travolta). Claude and Ruby, accompanied by sister Rose and Claude's mother-in-law, Jewel (Diana Ladd) go home to help out Claude's bother, Alvin (John Prine) and the family patriarch, O.T. (Andy Griffith) when O.T.'s brother Hazel (the late Jim Varney) gets arrested. O.T. unfortunately suffers from attacks of dementia and has a difficult time recalling exactly which sister Claude married. Ben Affleck and Jamie Lee Curtis appear as married lawyers hired by the Montgomery family.
All this sudden southern togetherness erupts in confusion, discussion, memories, and changes.
There is an accident scene that is very, very funny. Good ole boy Claude, as portrayed by Billy Bob, is really a romantic guy at heart. The dual-dueling-jealous competitions between Claude and Ruby are priceless.
I wished the font on the credits has been easier to read. Still the credits are well worth watching in order to hear the John Prine song, "In Spite of Ourselves" being sung over the credits. It's great!
So was the film, if you like to laugh and aren't expecting an Oscar caliber film. You will have double the pleasure if you happen to be southern.

This movie was one of those pleasant surprises...I anticipated it being bad and ended up laughing until I was sick. This has got to be the best kept secret I've seen this year.

I can definetly see how it's not for everyone, though. If you're from the south, the dialogue will slay you. I would imagine you would appreciate this movie more if you've been exposed to the type of people the movie portrayed.

My favorite line: "Like that book said 'It was the best time I'd ever had, it was the worst time I'd ever had.'"

This movie was recommended by Marshall Chapman at a performance/reading last year. She told the audience that one of her favorite lines in the movie was John Prine's, "I'm nervous 'bout all the time."

Take it from someone who grew up in the South and knows people like the characters in Daddy and Them...the dialogue is right on. I found it particularly refreshing that the Southern accents weren't overdone. Andy Griffith is perfect as Daddy and Laura Dern, Kelly Preston and the rest of the cast do a great job, as well.


See this if you like off beat movies that don't move too fast and appreciate a good laugh out loud.

I loved this movie! I saw John Prine in concert and he
mentioned it, or I would have never found it, nor purchased
it. It was never released at the theater, straight to
video from what I understand. Anyway, the movie is a
great story of this southern dysfunctional family. The
opening language is a little "rough" but ends up being
pretty funny. I could relate to how the family acted
with each other. "Uncle Hazel loves you, but he can't
stand a one of you!" I wish the movie would have received
more attention. It is a good story with many laughs.

Let me write this first...I love Billy Bob Thornton and his style of writing, directing and acting...with that said...
Welcome to the heartland and hang on for a funny and delightful ride in this movie. I actually know a few people like Claude and Ruby...both Billy Bob and Laura Dern played these characters to the hilt. This is honestly a GOOD and funny movie.

Billy Bob has once again tapped his southern roots and allowed us to see the dysfunctional family members that we all have in their best light. The film abounds with superlative performances from all involved. Additionally, the Marty Stuart soundtrack with guest performances from John Prine, Ray Benson and Dwight Yoakam is a great enhancement and supports the comedy completely.

Don't know how I managed to miss this one when it was first introduced, but once I saw it, I didn't hesitate for one minute to add it to my DVD library.

Filmed in Little Rock, Arkansas, this film is a languid telling of a Southern family's domestic travails.

All the characters appear to be enjoying themselves most of the time, except Ben Affleck and Jamie Lee Curtis. And John Prine, who seems to be enjoying himself all the time.

Prine's gravelly voice is a treat. Wait for the credits to roll and you will finally get to hear him sing ("In Spite of Ourselves"--just right for this film).

The soundtrack is stunning, especially the acoustic "Dixie," soft and reflective, strummed while Billy Bob reflects on himself.

The director's commentary is very well done, with Billy Bob Thornton adding a lot of detail and insight into how he made the film.

Pour a glass of wine, build a fire, and enjoy.

If you're a Billy Bob Thornton fan, this movie is one you must see. Don't listen to those who didn't even watch the movie and are rating it just because of the music. I hate when people ruin reviews by doing that crap - LAME ! Anyhow, subtle, brilliant humour abounds this movie marvel. Warped humour, and superb acting makes this one of kind. It can't be compared to Bad Santa because it's a different story, but others are comparing it to it for some reason. It's worth having in your collection of laughs...It's right next to my "The Big Lebowski".

I had been wondering if this would ever be released,and thankfully it happened.I don't know how Billy Bob Thorton assembled this great cast, but it was quite a feat to have this many greats on a picture.John Prine was a real treat in his first acting debut, and It's the last wink from Jim Varney you'll get to see.This picture is a hilarious look at things southern that will make you take note of simpler places in life and re-acess whats important in our everyday worlds.