World's Greatest Dad

Could this be the film that finally makes Bobcat Goldthwait famous for what he does best and loves most? I never paid much attention to him when he was a loud and wild actor and stand-up comic. But after seeing three of his films in the last two years, I can say that I will never skip one, and I'm hoping to rent his earlier feature, "Shakes the Clown."

"World's Greatest Dad," starring Robin Williams and Daryl Sabara ("Spy Kids") as father and son, is one of the films from this festival that are most likely to get wide release. Robin Williams still has star appeal, though he doesn't do the kind of comedy here that he's known for. Audiences may give the film a chance just for him, and they'll be rewarded.

Of course, there's the "taboo" factor. Just as in Goldthwait's "Sleeping Dogs Lie," shown at the 2007 Maryland Film Festival as a John Waters pick, "World's Greatest Dad" has a plot that centers on something most people don't like to say aloud. In the latter film's case, it's something that some people can't pronounce, either. And then he takes things further. Goldthwait is a daring filmmaker, but not just for the sake of going to the edge. The story is absolutely original, and it holds together.