Son in Law
Son in Law is a 1993 comedy film starring Pauly Shore, Carla Gugino, Lane Smith, Cindy Pickett, Tiffani Thiessen, Patrick Renna, Dan Gauthier, and Dennis Burkley. The film was directed by Steve Rash, previously known for films such as The Buddy Holly Story (1978) and Queens Logic (1991).
The films starts as a typical Fish Out of Water story. Rebecca "Becca" Warner (Gugino) is a farm girl from South Dakota. She is just starting her college life at the University of Los Angeles, where the local ways of dressing, acting and partying confuse and scare her. By the time Halloween (October 31) arrives, Becca is seriously thinking of dropping out and running home. Enter resident adviser Crawl (Shore). He is a Surfer Dude who is willing to help Becca adapt to her new environment. He talks her into having a makeover and helps her learn to have fun. She now loves California life.
Time for the second part of the film. When Thanksgiving break arrives, Becca worries about returning home. Her boyfriend Travis (Gauthier) has hinted at a marriage proposal. Her parents fully expect her to settle down with him. She actually dreads that thought. When Crawl admits to have no family of his own, Becca invites him over to spend the holidays at the farm. She effectively introduces him as her new boyfriend. He catches on and claims they are already engaged, angering Travis and and shocking her family.
Now Crawl has to win over conservative dad Walter (Smith), timid mom Connie (Pickett), and little brother Zack (Renna), face the revenge schemes of Travis and farm hand Theo (Burkley), and face temptation in the face of local hottie Tracy (Thiessen). Meanwhile Crawl is seriously falling for Becca, even if she is unaware of it.
The film is often mentioned as a pretty decent comedy. Crawl as one of Shore's most likable roles. Professional critics are less favorable. Roger Ebert noted that Crawl is "one of those narcissistic cool guys who speaks in a monotone", making him hard to like. He found himself sympathizing with the parents who don't trust this prospective son-in-law. James Berardinelli complained about the film having few laugh-out-loud moments and having an ending which gave him a "sugar shock". In any case, the film performed decently at the box office. It earned about 36.5 million dollars in the United States market, where it was the 42nd most successful film of its year.
- American Gothic Couple: The promotional poster of the film was a direct parody of the painting, featuring the youthful Gugino in a traditional dress and Shore wielding a pitchfork while wearing g a mix of farming clothes and beach accessories.
- Cameo: Brendan Fraser turns up in a Halloween scene, reprising his role from the "Encino Man.
- City Slicker: Crawl fits the Greenhorn variety while adapting to his new environment in South Dakota.
- Fish Out of Water: Becca in California, Crawl in South Dakota.
- Hot Mom: Connie Warner, as repeatedly pointed out by Crawl. Naturally she is played by 46-year-old Cindy Pickett who's known for her good looks.
- Incest Is Relative: Played with. When Becca first mentions originating from a farm in South Dakota, Crawl gets dirty thoughts. He immediately asks "So you're inbred? ...You know, where your mom's your dad, and your dad's your brother."
- The Makeover: In the first part of the film, Crawl gives one to Becca. In the second one, he gives one to Connie, helping bring her out of her shell.
- Only Known by Their Nickname: Crawl is the nickname of the character. But he rarely uses his first name (Fred) and never reveals his last name. He explains how he got the nickname: "Because that's how I used to get home my freshman year."
- Parental Marriage Veto: The Warners consider Crawl unacceptable as a prospective son-in-law. He has to win them over. Sounds familiar?
- Surfer Dude: Crawl.