The In-Laws (1979) [The Criterion Collection]

Peter Falk and Alan Arkin make for a hilarious dream team in this beloved American sidesplitter. Directed by Arthur Hiller from an ingenious script by Andrew Bergman, The In-Laws may at first seem like a generic meet-the-parents comedy, as Arkin’s mild-mannered dentist suspiciously eyes Falk’s volatile mystery man, whose son is engaged to his daughter. But soon, through a series of events too serpentine and surprising to spoil, the two men are brought together by a dangerous mission that takes them from suburban New Jersey to Honduras. Fueled by elaborate stunt work and the laconic, naturalistic charms of its two stars, The In-Laws deserves its status as a madcap classic – and has continued to draw ardent fans in the years since its release.



Commentary track:
- This audio commentary also appeared on the old DVD release of The In-Laws which Warner Bros. produced in 2003. Director Arthur Hiller, writer Andrew Bergman, and actors Peter Falk and Alan Arkin discuss in great detail the production process, the excellent script for the film, the fluid nature of the narrative and how all of the scattered elements eventually come together really well, some specific lensing choices, the film's critical reception, etc.