World's Greatest Dad - Tragically brilliant - a real surprise 

`The World's Greatest Dad.' Hardly the world's greatest title for a film and, in my opinion, a little bit misleading in terms of how outstanding the final product is.  The front cover shows cuddly, lovable Robin Williams and in most of the film's marketing, we're told it's a `comedy.' Fair enough, we think and go on to expect some happy-go-lucky, silly, daft, frivolous, slapstick affair, possibly on a par with something like 'American Pie,' or 'Mrs Doubtfire.' Wrong.

'The World's Greatest Dad' is more at home standing next to Robin William's other film 'One Hour Photo.' Yes, there are moments of humour here, but they are surrounded by a great deal of tragedy. In the film, Robin Williams' son accidentally kills himself (I won't say how - you'll have to find out) in an embarrassing way. To cover this up, Williams makes it look like a suicide.

By doing this both he (and his son's) status changes. This film is about the human reaction to death. Suddenly, his son was no longer an outsider and freak - now he's a saint. Also, at the same time, Robin Williams is no longer a meek, underdog, but a hero, struggling to cope with life.

I won't give away too much of how the story unfolds. However, I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for a decent `black comedy drama.' I've seen it criticised by people who say `Where's the humour?' Sure enough, there are few traditional jokes. It's more a cringe worthy exercise as Robin William's character digs a deeper metaphorical hole for himself and finds it increasingly harder to get back out.

Also, I've seen this film accused of having `no likeable characters.' Again, possibly true, but, I think that's half the point.

Don't expect belly laughs, just a film that somehow manages to raise a slight smile through the face of tragedy. But, when you consider the main crux of this film is a teenage boy's death, it does what it's supposed to.  Plus bonus points for the film using the classic rock track 'Under Pressure' by Queen and David Bowie.

9/10 almost as perfect as The Godfather