The Assassination of Richard Nixon/Meet the Fockers/Fat Albert

Richard Roeper - Host: [reviewing "Meet the Fockers"] The key to De Niro's comedic success is that he plays this role as straight as if he were doing "Goodfellas". His character doesn't KNOW he's funny. As for Streisand and Hoffman, two notorious perfectionists, you get the sense they're having the lark of their lives. I thought this was great fun. Thumbs up.

Roger Ebert - Host: Thumbs down for me, although I agree about De Niro and Streisand and Hoffman, but I think opportunities were blown...

Richard Roeper - Host: Okay, wait a minute, that's... one, two, three, that should be...

[gives "thumbs up" gesture]

Roger Ebert - Host: For example, there's a scene where Streisand gives De Niro a massage.

Richard Roeper - Host: Yes.

Roger Ebert - Host: This should be a set-up for something hilarious to happen. Something, because he doesn't even want to take off his shirt. And somehow, it just plays off that, oh, he's all stiff after the massage. Well, that's not a pay-off. There should be something that happens...

Richard Roeper - Host: I...

Roger Ebert - Host: ...That could really build and make that funny.

Richard Roeper - Host: Well, I have, you've honed in on one scene. I agree, I was waiting for the pay-off where he was gonna feel so great, or he was gonna feel a little... uh, moment of attraction to the Streisand character. It didn't happen. But that's one scene, Roger. I think there ARE a lot of comedic pay-offs, and I just think this film has a lot more heart, and it's just a lot of fun throughout with all these wonderful actors.

Roger Ebert - Host: As a comedy, I liked "Meet the Parents" better. One thing I found intriguing about this movie was the sign language.

Richard Roeper - Host: Mm-hmm?

Roger Ebert - Host: The little twins who play the baby apparently do use infant language, and De Niro learned to sign and the kid is actually...

Richard Roeper - Host: See how INTRIGUED you are by this film, how involved you are?

Roger Ebert - Host: Yes yes, oh...

Richard Roeper - Host: You found the baby interesting, you liked De Niro, you thought Hoffman and Streisand were funny...

Roger Ebert - Host: if only, if only...

Richard Roeper - Host: ...You still have a chance, right now, to change your mind.

Roger Ebert - Host: ...If only, if only I had laughed more.