The trailer for a movie is often the first impression, and for “Why Him?”, it unfortunately sets a very low bar. Many viewers found themselves actively disliking the movie based solely on the aggressively unfunny trailer, packed with gags that felt outdated even before release. While “Why Him?” itself isn’t a cinematic disaster, it’s fair to say the marketing campaign, particularly the trailer, did a disservice to whatever comedic potential the film possessed, and perhaps even highlighted a fundamental question: Cast Why Him in certain roles? The movie struggles to define its own identity, and this confusion extends to how the talented cast is utilized.
“Why Him?” starts with a familiar premise: a young college student introduces her eccentric tech billionaire boyfriend to her traditional, Midwestern family over the holidays. The initial setup hints at a clash of cultures and personalities, and while the trailers emphasized a rivalry between the boyfriend, Laird (James Franco), and the father, Ned (Bryan Cranston), the movie attempts to navigate beyond this simplistic conflict. However, as the narrative progresses, it becomes increasingly apparent that the Christmas setting feels forced, an afterthought added to capitalize on the holiday season. Similarly, the relentless barrage of crude language feels less like organic humor and more like a desperate attempt to appear edgy and modern. This reliance on shock value is a common pitfall in contemporary comedies, often mistaking profanity for genuine wit.
One of the core issues with “Why Him?” is its thematic ambiguity. Around the midpoint, a sense of unease settles in as almost every character reveals selfish or unlikeable traits. This creates a narrative dilemma where no easily foreseeable outcome feels genuinely satisfying for these characters. The film then stumbles towards an ending that feels rushed and emotionally hollow, failing to deliver on any meaningful character arcs or resolutions. This leaves the audience questioning not just the plot, but also the cast why him dynamic within the narrative – are we meant to root for any of these individuals?
Beyond the central duo, the supporting cast is largely sidelined. Characters disappear for extended periods, only to reappear sporadically to facilitate a weak joke before receding back into the background. This uneven distribution of screen time further contributes to the film’s disjointed feel. James Franco, despite the film’s shortcomings, delivers a performance that is arguably better than the material deserves. He manages to oscillate between portraying Laird as off-putting and surprisingly charming, a duality that Franco has effectively employed in similar roles throughout his recent career. Bryan Cranston, known for his comedic brilliance in roles like Dr. Tim Whatley in “Seinfeld” and Hal in “Malcolm in the Middle,” is unfortunately underutilized. Instead of leveraging his nuanced comedic talents, Cranston is relegated to playing the archetypal straight man, burdened with tired gags like a signature bowling “crotch chop.” One can’t help but wonder, cast why him – Bryan Cranston – if his comedic gifts would be so squandered?
Ultimately, “Why Him?” isn’t as offensively bad as its trailer might suggest. While this isn’t exactly high praise, it does indicate that the movie has a faint glimmer of potential buried beneath layers of studio interference and misguided comedic choices. It feels like a film that was tinkered with and cut apart, losing its intended direction along the way. Clocking in at nearly two hours, “Why Him?” overstays its welcome. Viewers might find themselves better off imagining their own, inevitably more concise and satisfying, ending twenty minutes before the credits roll. The fundamental question remains: with such a talented cast, cast why him in a movie that seems unsure of its own comedic footing?
