The director Dan Mazer’s **Dirty Grandpa** is a relentlessly awful comedy that redefines "gag comedy" by putting the emphasis squarely on the gags. It's so tasteless and desperate for cheap laughs that it might make you feel queasy. This toothless, uninspired film lacks any real wit and feels like a tiresome slog through predictable jokes. It possesses as much charm and amusement as a cold, sterile nursing home room. It’s hard to understand why an actor of Robert DeNiro's stature—someone with an Oscar—would participate in something so silly and offensive. While he has had his share of forgettable comedies, seeing the respected seventy-something DeNiro reduced to this kind of juvenile farce is difficult to excuse. What could have led him to appear in such a crass and immature movie? Was it a bet or some sort of ridiculous challenge? Zac Efron’s presence alongside DeNiro isn't surprising, given his inconsistent film choices throughout his career. **Dirty Grandpa** was clearly ripe for criticism, and rightfully so. Unless you are an adolescent boy with a crude sense of humor, you will likely find this witless movie to be a tedious bore that can't even manage to clean up its offensive content. Screenwriter John Phillips attempts to portray DeNiro’s character, Dick Kelly, as someone unrestrained and unfiltered. He is meant to be a tragic figure who some might misunderstand and others distrust. The idea seems to be that Dick Kelly embodies the frustrations of an aging man railing against a world he no longer recognizes—a satirical look at those who have been left behind. **Dirty Grandpa** could have explored mature anger with a darkly humorous edge, but instead it settles for cheap laughs and obvious vulgarity. The story involves recent widower Dick Kelly wanting to relax by visiting Florida, where he and his late wife spent happy times. He enlists the help of his grandson Jason (Zac Efron) to accompany him so that he can let loose. Dick is far from a model citizen; he lives up to his "Dirty Grandpa" persona as a crude and offensive man. He’s openly racist, misogynistic, and homophobic—and those are just some of his better qualities! He questions why he isn't allowed to use racial slurs and freely ogles women who could easily be his granddaughters. He also expresses disdain for men he considers effeminate and has no shame in indulging himself, even when his grandson is present. Dick Kelly is, without a doubt, an appalling person. The film attempts to add to the raunchy atmosphere with a cast of eccentric characters. Mazer and Phillips seem to revel in presenting these outlandish personalities, reinforcing the overall silliness. A provocative woman (Aubrey Plaza) wants to engage in inappropriate acts with Dick, while Jason’s girlfriend (Julianne Hough) needs a serious reality check before committing to marriage. The film also features a couple of immature college students (Michael Hudson and Jake Picking) and Jason's cousin Nick (Adam Pally)—a disabled man who aspires to be like Dick. Ultimately, **Dirty Grandpa** marches along without realizing how truly awful it is. It’s filled with juvenile bathroom humor, recycled jokes about masturbation, shallow women, and drug-related antics—all contributing to a pointless and fetid comedy. While **Dirty Grandpa** may have provided a quick payday for DeNiro and his colleagues, the rest of us got shortchanged. **Dirty Grandpa** (2016) 1 hr. 42 mins. Starring: Robert DeNiro, Zac Efron, Zoey Deutch, Aubrey Plaza, Julianne Hough, Jason Mantzoukas, Jake Picking, Michael Hudson, Mo Collins, Dermot Mulrooney Directed by: Dan Mazer MPAA Rating: R Genre: Comedy Critic's rating: * star (out of 4 stars) (c) Frank Ochieng

Source on TMDB