First Look at Robin Williams in ‘World’s Greatest Dad’

Kofi Outlaw — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 21:10:13 +0000

[UPDATE: Check the end of the post for the releases dates of World's Greatest Dad]

Remember Bobcat Goldthwait, the comedian who was big in the 90s and talked in that funny oscillating tone? No? Well here’s a youtube reminder to jog your memory.

Now that you’re caught up, you’ll be fascinated to know that Goldthwait has been doing some serious work behind the camera lately, directing fellow funny man Robin Williams in what looks to be one hell of a dark comedy about fatherhood and personal desires: World’s Greatest Dad.

Williams plays Lance Clayton, a single father / high school poetry teacher who discovers the path to his dream of being a famous writer paved through what should be the worst tragedy of his life. Ah hell, that sounds too vague, I know, so here is the official IMDB synopsis – though I warn you it does contain some SPOILERS:

Lance is a high school teacher who protects his family from shame following the embarrassing accidental death of his son. Lance writes a fake suicide note to cover up the death, but without permission the note is published and becomes an unexpected hit. Keen to be a successful author, Lance produces an entire journal which he passes off as his son’s.

Yikes, after reading a synopsis like that its no surprise that Magnolia Pictures has been having a hell of time trying to find a way to market World’s Greatest Dad. On paper the film sounds pretty disturbing, but I have to say the trailer does a pretty good job of winning you over – at least it did for me. PLEASE NOTE: this is a red band trailer and is NSFW, nor should it be viewed with kids in the room. You’ve been warned:

[See post to watch Flash video]

Maybe this trailer works its charms so well because (like the poster above) it skirts around the controversial nature of the film, simply hinting at the vast darkness laced within the comedy. Magnolia better be careful though: this is not the kind of film you want to try to bait-and-switch people with. The average moviegoer would be PISSED, I think.

Now that you’ve seen the trailer, continue on to check out some great images from the film (click each image for a larger size):

Screen Rant » worlds greatest dad

First Look at Robin Williams in ‘World’s Greatest Dad’