Albert Brooks, Candice Bergen, David Suchet

Right before his daughter's wedding, a mild-mannered foot doctor discovers that his new in-laws are international smugglers.

Flixster Users

44% liked it

11,895 ratings

Critics

35% liked it

125 critics

PG-13, 98 min.

Directed by: Andrew Fleming

Release Date: May 23, 2003

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DVD Release Date: October 7, 2003

Stats: 413 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (413)


  • March 1, 2009
    Albert Brooks is by far the funniest thing about this film, it?s an easy watching film, but very much a no brainer.
  • March 11, 2008
    I must make sure to add the original to my Netflix queue -- now closiing in on 400 movies! I would love to see what Alan Arkin and Peter Falk made of this idea. I have to admit that I was very skeptical of the pairing of Albert Brooks and Michael Douglas -- two of my other favo...( read more)rites. No worry, shrimp curry, they did very well playing off of each other.

    If this plot seems a little bit far-fetched to you, rest assured that I felt the same way. It is unbelievable, but it was also easy to let a willing suspension of disbelief kick it. This one is, however, worth a viewing. Douglas and Brooks make some very real music together.

    I feel for the other actors here, especially David Suchet and Candice Bergen. There is very little room to shine in this rather claustrophobic(?) -- narrowly focused(?) -- script for anyone besides Brooks and Douglas. Everything else is window dressing, really.

    I guess I'd call this a road/buddy flick in the end. It's truly very funny at times, but with a lot of so-so stretches as well. Still, I must reaffirm, flixster friends, that this is worth at least one watch, especially if you've ever believed in Brooks and Douglas. If I run across it again, I will happily give it another go, I think.

  • August 28, 2007
    lmao michael douglas and albert brooks together is classic
  • July 1, 2008
    An adequate remake...Douglas shines but Brooks is outplayed by the original actor, Alan Arkin in the dentist role...mildy entertaining shtick
  • June 27, 2007
    A small yet funny film which like everything nowadays is a re-used storyline. Fun film to watch
  • November 17, 2009
    What will you do if you has a mafia-in laws?
    So funny movie, shouldn't pass it.
    Messy wedding preparation, messy wedding party. Oh, to be married was so hard with the bride's father as a mafia.
    Is he really the mafia?
    Just watch!
  • November 3, 2009
    I like how this movie retans the spirit of the original - very silly but also very enjoyable!
  • August 31, 2009
    Funny but not very special...
  • August 30, 2009
    skitrolig film. :) härlig story, schöna skämt.. rolig helt enkelt.. ;)
  • July 28, 2009
    The beginning was a bit confusing as you don't know if you're watching an action movie or a comedy. I found Albert Brooks character to be amazingly unoriginal as the phobic recluse guy has been way overused in the past years. I still laughed at some places there and there but not...( read more) enough to recommend this movie to anyone I wish a good time.

Critic Reviews


May 23, 2003
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

It's a pleasure to see Douglas in a rare movie where he doesn't have to grit his teeth in tension, just as it's always a pleasure to watch Brooks get mentally tortured. full review

May 23, 2003
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

Everything sly and low-key about The In-Laws, a 1979 comedy about a dentist and a rogue CIA agent with nothing in common except that the son of one is marrying the daughter of the other, is supersized... full review

May 23, 2003
Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer

Formulaic and unnecessary. full review

May 23, 2003
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

The remake knows the moves but lacks the recklessness. full review

May 23, 2003
Ty Burr, Boston Globe

A vehicle for Michael Douglas and Albert Brooks that manages to bring out the most annoying aspects of their respective personalities. full review

May 22, 2003
A.O. Scott, The New York Times

It's as if the director, Andrew Fleming, and the screenwriters, Nat Mauldin and Ed Solomon, set out to make a movie that would be mediocre in every respect. If so, they have completely succeeded. full review

View more The In-Laws reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

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The In-Laws Trivia


  • in what movie is the phrase 'it's not cut, it's not dry' from?  Answer »
  • In what movie does Ben Stiller try to impress his future in-laws?  Answer »
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