About a decade ago, Samuel L. Jackson found himself embroiled in a minor controversy. It happened during a promotional interview for the movie Django Unchained when he attempted to compel a journalist to utter a highly offensive racial slur. Despite the journalist’s steadfast resistance, Jackson persistently pushed, even going so far as to threaten to terminate the interview if his demands weren’t met. To his credit, the journalist stood his ground, while Jackson faced rightful online criticism for his behavior.
Interestingly, a remarkably similar scenario is recreated verbatim in a different context within the new Netflix ‘comedy’ titled Old Dads, a film directed by and starring Bill Burr. The movie centers around three middle-aged men, portrayed by Bobby Cannavale, Bokeem Woodbine, and Burr himself, whose lives appear to revolve around their perception of an encroachment on their freedom of expression in an increasingly politically correct world.
In an Indian context, individuals like them are often referred to as ‘uncles.’ This term is less about the gray hair on their heads and more about the lack of gray matter within them. Uncles are often held responsible for a multitude of problems in the world, ranging from minor parking disputes to the rise of right-wing politics in democratic societies. They are often seen as entitled individuals who, instead of evolving with the times, prefer to belittle and badger those who are more accommodating of change.
This arrogance is precisely what drives Jack (Burr) and his close friends to corner their “woke” co-worker into using a racial slur while they commute to work together. Unbeknownst to them, their boss has discreetly installed hidden cameras in their car, hoping to find a reason to terminate their employment. The trio unwittingly falls into this trap.
However, Old Dads seemingly portrays Jack and his friends as the victims of unlawful surveillance rather than as the instigators of deliberate harassment. This is the fundamental flaw of the film. Beyond its lack of humor, as there are essentially no laughs to be found, Old Dads appears lacking in confidence when it comes to its own ideologies. This lack of assurance is evident in its decision to pit the central characters against individuals who are just as ethically dubious as they are.
For example, when a man with an e-cigarette advises Jack not to smoke, it opens the door for Jack to point out the irony of the situation. But could he have made the same argument if the man hadn’t been vaping in his face? Similarly, in a scene where Jack bemoans being bought out of his own company by a millennial ‘disruptor,’ the young entrepreneur is depicted as an airhead who ‘brags’ about having led 15 startups in five years, inviting Jack’s mockery. The principal at his son’s school is horrified when Jack directs an offensive term at her in front of others, but instead of portraying her as a regular person justifiably upset at being insulted, Old Dads unveils her as some kind of criminal towards the end.
However, the movie seems to believe that it’s exonerating Jack’s poor behavior by highlighting the hypocrisy of those who consider themselves superior to him. In doing so, it blurs the line and raises the question of whether it’s acceptable to use derogatory language against someone just because they’ve also committed financial fraud.
Direction: The film is directed by Rob Reiner
Star Cast: Bill Burr,Bobby Cannavale,Bokeem Woodbine
Playing network : Netflix
