Directed by Dan Mazer, and starring Robert De Niro and Zac Efron, “Dirty Grandpa” puts it all out on the table. From an old man hitting up college parties to a scandalous affair between a lawyer’s wife and his best friend, this movie didn’t do much for the progression of filmmaking.
Dick Kelly, played by De Niro, has just lost his wife. In hopes of rekindling a relationship with his grandson Jason, played by Efron, Kelly asks Jason to drive him to Florida. This was a yearly trip Dick made with his wife. However, Dick didn’t have the same trip planned this time.
Upon arriving in Florida, Jason is shocked to find that the point of this trip is for his ill-mannered grandfather to have some Spring Break fun with college kids. Adventures ensue, including bar fights and wild frat parties, which bring the two outside of their comfort zones. While all of this is happening, Jason’s controlling fiancée is back home getting ready for their wedding, which is a week away. By the end of the movie, the relationship between Dick and Jason couldn’t be stronger.
I won’t say this movie isn’t funny, but it is unoriginal. Every aspect of the plot line was expected and has already been done a thousand times. Comically, this movie relied on sex, drugs, and dropping the f-bomb as often as possible. There is only so many times one can watch someone accidentally take drugs and wake up on a beach before getting bored, wasting the talent of two very famous actors who have, in the past, brought amusement to millions.
Another downfall to this movie is that it relied on Efron’s body. Now, let me say, I am the last one to complain about this. However, having Efron shirtless in every single promotion and preview is a cheap scam to get people to watch this movie. Rotten Tomatoes agrees, giving it an 8 percent — making it rotten.
If you want to spend $10 on two hours of cheap entertainment, then head on down to your local movie theater to see “Dirty Grandpa.”
