So, Christmas is over and you're desperately in need of something funny to deter those post-Christmas blues. Why Him? can offer you something more than just 'funny'. It's downright blinkin' hilarious. It's Bryan Cranston vs James Franco in this new bizarre take on the 'Meet the Parents' tale. Nothing spectacularly extraordinary, but this relationship definitely isn't ordinary. 

Whether you've had to meet the parents, or the new partner of someone, or you are simply a person involved in this weird but inevitable relationship triangle, you might be able to relate to the premise of Why Him? Over the holidays (so it is a Christmas movie - kinda), Father Ned (Bryan Cranston) and fam go and visit Daughter Stephanie (Zoey Deutch) at college...and Boyfriend Laird (James Franco). One is overprotective but loving, one's not as innocent as she looks, one's well-meaning but these meanings manifest themselves in peculiar ways. For example, he wants to get a Christmas tree so he cuts one down...from someone else's front yard. And he heard Ned liked to bowl so he built a bowling alley complete with cheesy mural. You get the gist. This is basically the film - event by event, Laird tries to win the approval of Ned, doing something nonsensical and getting a priceless reaction from Cranston. Both have no 'chill' level.

This is a modern comedy, with modern Japanese toilet jokes, Siri on steroids (voiced by Kaley Cuoco), explanations as to why "totally" should be abbreviated to "totes", Facetime mishaps, and cameos from Steve Aoki (electro house DJ dude with long hair). That said, it uses the same old, crude gags time and time again. If you're ok with that then it's a pretty fine, funny film. If you need something to push your laughter to new levels then this is not it. The whole 'meet the parents' thing is hardly an original concept, but I think Franco's character of Laird is different. I imagine might be how James Franco is In Real Life (ok, maybe a tad exaggerated..) but we have a strangely likeable character even if he is "literally has no filter".

The film seems to have come about from one simple story ('Father meets daughter's crazy boyfriend'), then everything else - all the details and frills - are like a story-writer just thought "Oh, how about we add this too?" One of the standout (and most bizarre) additions is Butler/Best Pal/Self-defence Coach Gustav bringing an extra level of woah just when you thought it couldn't get more woaaah. If I told you it's a comedy but contains martial arts, you'd understand. Slightly. It's not really necessary, but none of this is. It doesn't really bother building much of a backstory; they just jump straight into it. Yet somehow it's about 2 hours long! If the film is in stages, Stage 1 is already in full gear, but the last stage lets it down a bit, and any resolutions are reached in a surprisingly simple way.

Each character of the film is given a very straight-forward and clear dynamic, personality and path. After the first 10 minutes, it's even clearer what their paths throughout the film will be. And of course, in Laird and Ned, what we have is two polar opposites...the free-spirited nature of Laird vs the strict Ned, out-there and foul-mouthed vs collected and reserved, an Internet entrepreneur vs someone whose company is based in print. (FYI I don't think print is actually dying, but whatever.) And the film tries to convince us they're actually pretty similar. I'm not too sure about that but I do have to commend Bryan Cranston because I'm sure parents from all over will be able to relate to him, plus he slips so effortlessly into his comedy boots. He's the typical dad who can't bear to see his little girl all grown up and his facial expressions (aka 100 ways to show "what on earth!?" on your face) are in fine form...all 100 of them.

Although I suffered from belly laughs and laughing so hard at each antic it hurt, the antic-and-response format may drive you insane. I'm also not exactly sure how the romantic pairing between Deutch and Franco works, but I guess the stark contrast of character is needed more than the romantic chemistry. Before I decided I was way too old to watch it, I used to watch a Disney Channel show called Suite Life on Deck which featured an actress called Zoey Deutch. Fast forward a few years and she's playing the voice of reason (somewhat) between the two most important men in her life, yet I am still more convinced on her chemistry with Zack (of Zack and Cody fame, ya'know). And it's this bit that causes me to struggle, like Ned, with "Why Him?" There are answers though, plus anything to get Ned riled up a little bit more.

Sure, there are cliches littered about, but I doubt you would have predicted Franco having a family Christmas card tattooed on his back, am I right?  It utilises fantastic leads and a fantastic cast (also with Megan Mullally, Adam DeVine and others), all very capable of making us laugh. Comedic timing shouldn't be taken for granted either. When I accept the film for what it is, just like Ned hopefully accepting Laird as who he is, I get a good fun, pleasantly unpleasant film.

Get the lowdown of Why Him? here: