Casa De Mi Padre Review
Yes that is a stunt double riding that horse at the beginning. Before you even groan to that fact that Will Ferrell could not even be bothered to take a few riding lessons in order to canter into the opening of the film, it all becomes clear quickly that this is part of the joke. Ferrell steps off his horse and leans down to pick up a small (but perhaps slightly heavy) animal, only for the next shot to see him stand and turn holding a poor made stuffed replica. Welcome to Casa De Mi Padre – a daft film that is crammed with poor sets, naff props, terrible fake horses for actors to pretend to ride and plenty of repeated rear projection.
Will Ferrell has always been a bit of a hit and miss wonder. But coming from the SNL crowd that is hardly much of a surprise. But every now and again he knocks one out the park. Casa De Mi Padre doesn’t quite knock it that far – but it is instantly recognisable for the flavour it brings, the risks it takes, and how well suited Ferrell is to the tone of the film. It also establishes him firmly in the mind as this generations Chevvy Chase.
First and foremost the film has a good giggle with the Spanish language by having the entire film in it. Ferrell is game to make fun of old movies and even cheesy dramas from abroad by delivering his lines like a star from such a show with poor acting skills. He also has well known Spanish speaking actors to support him including Diego Luna (as his younger, more loved brother) and Gael Garcia Bernal (as their nemesis).
The plot… well the plot is really not very important. It’s all about the style and the characters really. Ferrell plays Armando Alvarez, the “unimportant” first son who is forever taking verbal abuse from his father (played brilliantly by a truly game Pedro Armendáriz, Jr.). When his younger brother returns home with his new bride to be drama starts to stir and old enemies turn up to make everyone’s life miserable.
The cast all work brilliantly when showing themselves up and not a character enters the screen that goes unscathed. Ferrell is also game to insert a song or two into the film along the way; when he is not talking to really poorly stuffed wild cats.
Casa De Mi Padre won’t be for everyone, and there was certainly room for them to push the barrier even harder. There are a few clumsy jokes, and some lazy retreads of jokes we have seen before (like the prolonged laughter – taken right out of Austin powers). But it is hard to not appreciate the effort they put in and the fun that entails from it. And did we mention the music. It’s top notch and have a cracking opening number, not to forget the few songs that Ferrell himself delivers later in the film.
Steven Hurst