DIRTY GRANDPA (2016)

Summary:

Jason Kelly, a rigid and uptight lawyer just days away from marrying his equally controlling fiancée, Meredith, finds his meticulously planned life thrown into complete disarray. Following the funeral of his beloved grandmother, Jason is reluctantly tasked with driving his recently widowed grandfather, Dick Kelly, to Boca Raton, Florida. What Jason anticipates to be a solemn and respectful journey quickly devolves into a chaotic and outrageously debauched Spring Break adventure in Daytona Beach, orchestrated entirely by his lecherous and uninhibited grandfather.

As Jason is dragged from one wild party to another, encountering a colorful cast of characters, he is forced to confront his own conservative nature, his stifling relationship with Meredith, and the true meaning of living life to the fullest. The road trip becomes a transformative experience, where the grandson learns to loosen up and embrace spontaneity, while the grandfather, beneath his crude exterior, grapples with his own grief and a renewed zest for life. It's a raunchy, intergenerational clash that ultimately leads to self-discovery for both men.

Keywords: Dirty Grandpa, 2016, Robert De Niro, Zac Efron, Comedy, Road Trip.

Plot:

The film opens by introducing Jason Kelly (Zac Efron), a highly ambitious and meticulously organized young lawyer who is on the cusp of marrying his equally Type-A fiancée, Meredith Goldstein (Julianne Hough). Their life is perfectly planned, down to the last detail of their upcoming wedding. However, Jason's carefully constructed world begins to unravel with the sudden death of his grandmother, Sally. At the funeral, Jason is approached by his recently widowed grandfather, Dick Kelly (Robert De Niro), a retired Army veteran and former college professor. Dick, seemingly grief-stricken, requests a "favor": he needs Jason to drive him to Boca Raton, Florida, to visit an old friend before he sells his house. Feeling obligated and wanting to honor his grandmother's memory, Jason reluctantly agrees, despite his tight schedule and Meredith's disapproval. The initial drive is somber, with Dick lamenting his wife's passing and recalling their shared life. However, as they approach Florida, Dick suddenly announces a change of plans: they are heading to Daytona Beach, not Boca Raton, because it's Spring Break, and he intends to "get laid." Jason is horrified, realizing his grandfather has orchestrated an elaborate ruse, and his meticulously planned life is about to be derailed by his lecherous, uninhibited relative.

Upon arriving in Daytona Beach, the stark contrast between Jason's conservative nature and Dick's wild abandon becomes immediately apparent. Dick checks them into a rundown motel, a far cry from Jason's usual accommodations, and almost immediately begins to pursue young college girls. They quickly encounter a group of Spring Breakers: Shadia (Aubrey Plaza), a free-spirited environmental studies major; Lenore (Andie MacDowell), a sexually adventurous woman who takes an immediate liking to Dick; and Bradley (Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman), a flamboyant and openly gay young man. Dick, with surprising agility for his age, wastes no time trying to flirt with Shadia, much to Jason's embarrassment. Jason's attempts to leave Daytona and return to his responsibilities are constantly thwarted by Dick's cunning schemes and manipulative tactics. Their escapades begin almost immediately, including Dick convincing Jason to pose as a college student to buy drugs (which Jason unknowingly mistakes for crack cocaine and accidentally smokes), leading to an absurd incident on a golf course where Jason, high and disoriented, wreaks havoc with a golf cart, resulting in their first run-in with the law and a memorable mugshot.

The chaos escalates as Dick drags Jason through a series of increasingly outrageous Spring Break activities. They attend wild parties, participate in beer pong tournaments, and find themselves in various compromising positions. Jason's phone calls to Meredith become more frequent and strained, as he struggles to explain the escalating absurdity of his situation without revealing Dick's true intentions. Meredith, increasingly suspicious and controlling, threatens to call off the wedding if Jason doesn't return immediately. Amidst the debauchery, subtle moments reveal the depth of Dick's grief for his late wife. He occasionally reminisces about Sally, sharing stories that hint at a passionate and adventurous past, and expressing his regret over missed opportunities. These glimpses into his vulnerability suggest that his current wild behavior is not merely about sex, but a desperate attempt to reclaim a lost sense of vitality and freedom, to live life to the fullest "before it's too late," a sentiment he shares with Jason. Meanwhile, Jason finds himself increasingly drawn to Shadia's intelligence, humor, and free spirit, a stark contrast to Meredith's rigid personality. He begins to question his own choices and whether he is truly happy with the path he has chosen, slowly shedding his inhibitions under Dick's influence.

The duo faces a major setback when Dick, convinced he can win back their lost money, gambles away their remaining cash and the car in a high-stakes poker game against a local drug dealer, played by Jason's old college rival, Pam (Jason Mantzoukas). Desperate to get home and salvage Jason's wedding, they devise a ludicrous plan: Dick and Lenore will film a "sex tape" to win a substantial cash prize at a Spring Break talent show. The plan involves elaborate choreography and an almost-successful performance, which is ultimately interrupted. Just as their situation seems insurmountable, Meredith and her overbearing father, David Goldstein (Dermot Mulroney), arrive in Daytona Beach, having tracked Jason down through his phone. A furious confrontation ensues, with Meredith accusing Jason of infidelity and irresponsibility. The climax of the film occurs at the wedding rehearsal dinner, which has been relocated to Daytona. During what is supposed to be his heartfelt wedding speech, Jason, having undergone a profound transformation, finally breaks free from Meredith's control. He delivers an impassioned speech, not about his love for Meredith, but about the importance of living authentically, embracing life's imperfections, and being true to oneself. He publicly breaks off the engagement, much to the shock of Meredith and her father, and declares his budding feelings for Shadia, who is also present.

In the aftermath, Jason and Shadia share a kiss, signaling the beginning of a new, more authentic relationship for him. Dick, despite causing immense chaos, has achieved his goal of helping Jason loosen up and find his true self. Dick is briefly arrested for his various antics but emerges from jail relatively unscathed and unapologetic. The film concludes with an epilogue set months later, where Jason, now a more relaxed and happy individual, is pursuing a new career path and thriving in his relationship with Shadia. Dick, having fully embraced his newfound freedom and zest for life, is seen marrying Lenore in a vibrant, unconventional ceremony, surrounded by their new Spring Break friends. The film ends with both grandfather and grandson having found their own versions of happiness and fulfillment, realizing that sometimes, the most unexpected detours lead to the most meaningful destinations, and that true love and happiness come from being unapologetically yourself, even if it means being a little "dirty."

Cast (Lead Roles):

• Robert De Niro as Dick Kelly
• Zac Efron as Jason Kelly
• Aubrey Plaza as Shadia
• Julianne Hough as Meredith Goldstein
• Dermot Mulroney as David Goldstein
• Andie MacDowell as Lenore
• Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman as Bradley

Crew:

• Director: Dan Mazer
• Writers: John Phillips
• Producers: Barry Josephson, Bill Block, Michael Simkin
• Cinematography: Eric Alan Edwards
• Film Editing: Anne McCabe

Release Info:

• Original Release Date: January 22, 2016
• Language: English
• Genre: Comedy
• Running Time: 102 minutes
• Accolades: None