Fueled by Robin Williams’ onscreen comedic genius and Bobcat Goldthwait’s insight into man’s most basic desires: sex, fame and fortune, “World’s Greatest Dad” is a true dark comedy about a struggling writer and mediocre private school teacher, Lance (Robin Williams), who can’t gain the respect of his colleagues and maladjusted son.
Lance’s losing streak turns around sharply when his son Kyle (Daryl Sabara) hangs himself in an autoerotic asphyxiation accident. Not wanting to see the everlasting memory of his a-hole of a son become further stained by his embarrassing and shocking death, Lance restages the death to look like the suicide of a disillusioned, misunderstood, and deeply thoughtful youth. It is Lance’s writings, published under his son’s name and in his son’s voice, that make him the toast of the literary arts world, talk shows and his school.
“World’s Greatest Dad” has been compared to 80s dark comedy “Heathers” mainly because both films keenly explore how high schoolers cope with teen suicides, namely by reinventing the deceased into an idealized version of him/herself. Goldthwait fully mines this process of mourning and generates tons of laughs in the process.
“World’s Greatest Dad” is an unrelenting, straightforward dark comedy written and directed by Bobcat Goldthwait and starring Robin Williams, Alexie Gilmore, Daryl Sabara, Geoff Pierson, Henry Simmons and Mitzi McCall. It is available now on VOD and in theaters August 21st.