Other than starring in David O. Russell films, in recent years seven-time Oscar nominee and two-time winner Robert De Niro has taken to appearing in lightweight films reassuring baby boomers they're relevant, and can still party large.
First was Last Vegas (The Hangover for oldies), then The Intern (retirees offering plenty for the younger generations), and now Dirty Grandpa, a road trip that shows grandparents can drink, fight and talk dirty with the best of them.
It's a buddy story between grandfather (De Niro) and grandson (Efron). Efron is Jason, an uptight, preppy and ambitious lawyer about to marry his boss' daughter (Hough). De Niro is Dick, a perverted former army officer who, after burying his wife, drags a reluctant Jason as wingman on a road trip to spring break in Florida. Turns out, Grandpa is set on getting laid.
If you think you've heard some outrageous lines from Seth Rogen or Mark Wahlberg and his mate, Ted, prepare yourself for the next level. The dialogue, thick and fast, is filled with colourful descriptions of his grandson and his car (a pink mini borrowed from his fiancee), dirty flirting, and racist and homophobic slurs.
Director Dan Mazer throws as much comedy at us as possible, rather than giving it time and attention to make sure it works - but that doesn't stop the cast from giving it all they've got.
