Product Details

• Actors: Robert De Niro, Ben Stiller, Blythe Danner, Teri Polo, Owen Wilson
• Directors: Jay Roach
• Writers: Jim Herzfeld, John Hamburg
• Producers: Robert De Niro, Jay Roach, Nancy Tanenbaum, Jane Rosenthal
• Format: Closed-captioned, Collector's Edition, Color, Dolby, DTS Surround Sound, NTSC, Widescreen
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 5.1), French (Dolby Digital 5.1)
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Studio: Universal Studios
• DVD Release Date: March 6, 2001
• Run Time: 108 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (410 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00003CXO1
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #14,083 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• Learn more about "Meet the Parents" on IMDb

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Randy Newman's opening song, "A Fool in Love," perfectly sets up the movie that follows. The lyrics begin, "Show me a man who is gentle and kind, and I'll show you a loser," before praising the man who takes what he wants. Greg Focker (Ben Stiller) is the fool in love in Meet the Parents. Just as he's about to propose to his girlfriend Pam (Teri Polo), he learns that her sister's fiancé asked their father, Jack Byrnes (Robert De Niro), for permission to marry. Now he feels the need to do the same thing. When Greg meets Jack, he is so desperate to be liked that he makes up stories and kisses ass rather than having the courage of his convictions. It doesn't take an elite member of the CIA to see right through Greg, but that's precisely what Jack is. Directed by Jay Roach (the Austin Powers movies), Meet the Parents is an incredibly well-crafted comedy that stands in nice opposition to, say, the sloppy extremes of the Farrelly brothers. Stiller is great at playing up the uncomfortable comedy of errors, balancing just the right amount of selfishness and self-deprecating humor, while De Niro's Jack is funny as the hard-ass father who just wants a few straight answers from the kid. What makes the Jack character all the funnier is Blythe Danner as his wife, the Gracie to his George Burns, who is the true heart of the movie. Oh, and Owen Wilson turns in yet another terrific comic performance as Pam's ex-fiancé. --Andy Spletzer

Product Description

Robert De Niro, Ben Stiller. A young man who plans to propose to his girlfriend over the weekend finally meets her family-who takes an instant and powerful dislike to him-in this hit comedy by director Jay Roach. 2000/color/108 min/PG-13/widescreen.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars In-Law Laughs.... October 4, 2003

By L. Shirley TOP 100 REVIEWER

Format:VHS Tape

This review refers to the VHS edition(Universal) of "Meet the Parents"......

You may not think your in-laws are really so bad after seeing what poor Greg Focker has to go through with his future family. Yes you read right, his name is Greg Focker and he's about to spend the weekend with the parents of the girl he intends to marry. Pam's dad, Jack Byrnes, really loves his daughters, and any man who wants to share their lives better be up to his standards. He's an ex-CIA agent who will scrutinize your every move and you better like his cat as well.What will it take for Greg to win the hand of the girl he loves..and does he really want to be a part of this crazy family after all? It's laugh out loud stuff as every move he makes turns into a hysterical series of events that has Pam's family turning against him.

Who else could be the over protective,over bearing,over analyzing, prospective father-in-law than than Mr. Tough Guy himeslef..Robert De Niro. His straight faced comic timing is just one more side of this very talented actor. Ben Stiller is a laugh a minute as he tries to please this unpleasable Dad.
The rest of the cast is nicely rounded out by Blythe Danner,Teri Polo,James Rebhorn and the fabulous Owen Wilson. Director Jay Roach brings this terrifc ensemble together beautifully and the music by Randy Newman adds more fun to the story.It's one of those great comedies that is still funny with repeated viewings.

The VHS is in Stereo surround, sounds great,has closed captions, and has a nice picture as well.

So kick back,enjoy the film, but..be careful not to let the cat out!.....have fun with this great addition to you comedy or De Niro collection.....Laurie

[...]

17 of 21 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Funniest Flick Of 2000 January 22, 2001

By Josh

Format:DVD

In a year filled with less-than-par movies (especially those in the comedic genre) this was a breath of fresh air. I haven't heard a theatre audience laugh harder since 1995 when I watched "Dumb & Dumber". This is a similar comedy with a little more sense and a little less slapstick.

Greg Focker is a nurse who, before asking his girlfriend to marry him, must visit her parents and o.k. it with them. Things seem to be going well enough when he picks up the wrong bag at the airport, causing the oncoming hell that is 'Meeting the parents'.

Robert DeNiro stars as the father, an ex CIA agent who keeps a very close eye on Focker, and doesn't like what he sees. He mistakes him for a pot smoking, test-cheating, porno-watching liar who isn't fit for his daughter. At the comedic climax of the film, DeNiro even gives Focker a polygraph test.

In the end, sides aching, this film left me more satisfied than I'd been walking out of a theatre in a LONG time. Although comedies typically don't get oscar nods, this one is certainly deserving.

Lets pray for a "Meet The Parents, The Sequel" to save us from future movie boredom.

22 of 28 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Meet the Parents February 28, 2001

By L. Williams

Format:VHS Tape|Amazon Verified Purchase

You don't need a lot of words to describe a movie this funny. I really didn't stop laughing from the very first minute of the movie. I admit that I have been disappointed by Stiller movies in the past, like "There's Something About Mary" and "Mystery Men". I didn't hate them, but I didn't really want to watch them over again after seeing them.

Ben and Deniro are both brillant together in this movie. They are both from completely different planets as far as comedic prowess and that makes them work great against each others characters. The play on Focker's name is just so hilarious. It's a great movie, I could watch it over and over again.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Hysterical!!! July 16, 2005

By Katie

Format:DVD

My husband & I actually went to see this movie the week before he was going to ask my father for my hand in marriage - thank God he already knew my family, or I think this movie may have scared him off!!!

I have to say that we laughed SO hard during this movie that our cheeks hurt! And, everyone else in the theater was laughing hysterically too. In fact, when it was over, everyone in the theater stood up and clapped - I've only seen a standing ovation in a movie theater twice in my life!

"Meet the Parents" is a romantic comedy about about an awkward guy who is ready to ask his girlfriend to marry him. However, just as he's ready to pop the question, he finds out that her sister's boyfriend had just asked her father for her hand in marriage (and his girlfriend makes it clear that she thinks that this is the way it should be)- so now, he not only has to meet her parents, he has to look good enough in their eyes so that they'll say yes to his proposal.

Well, he winds up becoming even more awkward - telling lies just to look better than he his, and always in such a way that ANYONE could tell he's not on the up & up. To boot, her father is a CIA agent, so of course he can see right through his shinanagins (did I spell that right???). This is hysterical in & of itself, but then the physical comedy comes to play (think Jack Tripper of "Threes Company")... Put together, this movie just couldn't be funnier!!!

If you're looking for a great romantic comedy, & want to laugh until your cheeks hurt, then I HIGHLY recommend this movie!

17 of 22 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars MEET THE PARENTS is sheer delight January 6, 2001

By Desmond Chan

Format:DVD

MEET THE PARENTS is billed as the hysterical comedy of the year and the vociferous accolades is justified because of the impeccable acting and the outstanding supporting ensemble. Robert De Niro is at his best in this comedy with his wry humour and irresistible dry wits. Ben Stiller charms as the male paramedic, Greg Focker who embarks on a treacherous "Meet the Parents" session when he decides to settle down with Pam (Teri Polo). A series of accidents happen and Greg begins to reconsider his options when her ex-boyfriend played by Owen Wilson stepped in. The whole mess including breaking the urn of De Niro's beloved mother and the reciting of the "prayer", breaking the nose of Pam's sister at a volleyball game - makes such a hilarious turn and imaginative gloss to the plot.

However, it is the acting that shines - especially De Niro and Stiller with such perfect comedic timing that they fill up the screen with luminous presence. Never a dull moment, although the slapsticks do occur - "Puff the Magic Dragon " and all the cranky jokes on Focker's name - makes it entertaining and accessible yet not crude. The director Jay Roach (AUSTIN POWERS) sits back prudently to watch the two leads steal the show with their effervescent chemistry. Never mind the plot - just watch the two male actors enchant. This is definitely one comedy that is so affable and adorable that it requires no parental guidance.