Approximately a decade ago, Samuel L Jackson found himself in a minor controversy during an interview for Django Unchained. He attempted to pressure a journalist into using a racial slur, but the journalist stood firm, resulting in justified criticism of Jackson's behavior online. In a peculiar parallel, Bill Burr, both director and star, reenacts a similar scene in his new Netflix 'comedy,' Old Dads. The film revolves around three middle-aged men preoccupied with their perceived loss of freedom of expression in an increasingly politically correct world.

The movie attempts to humorously depict uncles as the root of various societal issues, insinuating that they resist adapting to changing times and prefer to belittle those who do. This arrogance motivates Jack (played by Burr) and his friends, portrayed by Bobby Cannavale and Bokeem Woodbine, as they endeavor to provoke their socially conscious co-worker into using offensive language during their daily commute. Unbeknownst to them, their boss has installed hidden cameras in the car, ready to use their behavior as a pretext to fire them.

However, Old Dads portrays Jack and his friends as victims of illegal surveillance rather than as perpetrators of harassment, a significant flaw in the film. Beyond its humorlessness, the movie struggles with a lack of confidence in its own ideologies, frequently placing its main characters against individuals who are just as ethically questionable.

For instance, a man with a vape criticizes Jack for smoking, affording Jack an opportunity to point out the situation's irony. But would Jack have made the same argument if the man hadn't been vaping in his face? Similarly, when Jack bemoans being bought out of his own company by a millennial 'disruptor,' this individual is depicted as an airhead boasting about leading 15 startups in five years, inviting further ridicule from Jack.

In one instance, the school principal is taken aback when Jack uses offensive language, but rather than portraying her as a justified victim of insults, Old Dads later reveals her as a criminal. The film aims to exonerate Jack's inappropriate behavior by highlighting the hypocrisy of those who perceive themselves as morally superior. This approach raises questions about whether it is acceptable to insult someone solely because they have committed financial fraud.

The film's lack of substance becomes evident in the first 60 seconds when Jack dismisses his challenging childhood by comparing it to what he perceives as the complaints of vegans. Over the next hour and a half, Jack's actions lead to the ruin of his career, marriage, and the endangerment of his son's future. This would not be problematic if the film did not insist on portraying him as a victim. Even if Jack sees himself as a martyr, the film's alignment with his perspective raises concerns.

The most effective provocative comedians can express ideas that many are afraid to voice and uncover hypocrisy while eliciting laughter. In contrast, Old Dads resembles a one-sided tirade, with a character convinced that everyone is on his side when, in reality, they have long moved on. It echoes Bill Burr's recent stand-up material, as offensive as Dave Chappelle's work, yet it garners less outrage due to its limited exposure.

"Old Dads"

Director: Bill Burr

Cast: Bill Burr, Bobby Cannavale, Bokeem Woodbine

Rating: 0.5/5