A 1994 heist comedy that critics panned but audiences found surprisingly watchable
In short: Getting Even with Dad paired Macaulay Culkin with Ted Danson in a story about an estranged son blackmailing his criminal father. Despite a brutal critical reception, the film managed to turn a profit, proving that audience sentiment and professional reviews do not always align in the world of Hollywood.
Released on June 17, 1994, Getting Even with Dad follows Ray Gleason, an ex-con working in a San Francisco bakery, who is forced to care for his son, Timmy, for one week. Ray is secretly planning a rare-coin heist, but Timmy discovers the plot and uses the stolen coins to blackmail his father into spending quality time together. The film, directed by Howard Deutch, features a series of escapades across Northern California, including scenes at Paramount's Great America in Santa Clara and an ice rink in Berkeley.
The production was marked by behind-the-scenes negotiations, most notably regarding Macaulay Culkin’s appearance. While the character was scripted with a short haircut, Culkin’s father, Kit Culkin, insisted his son keep his longer hair to better reflect the character’s working-class background. The script itself was the subject of a competitive bidding war, with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer eventually securing it for $500,000 against major rivals like Paramount and Columbia.
Critical reaction was overwhelmingly negative. Rotten Tomatoes reports a 3% approval rating, with critics labeling the film formulaic and tonally inconsistent. Roger Ebert noted that the movie struggled to balance its competing identities as a caper, a comedy, and a romance. However, the film achieved a degree of commercial success, grossing $53.8 million worldwide against a $30 million budget. Audiences were significantly more forgiving than critics, awarding the film a 'B' grade in CinemaScore surveys.
The film’s resolution sees Ray and Timmy reconcile after a series of misunderstandings involving fake maps and a bag of pennies. Ultimately, the rare coins are recovered, charges are dropped, and Ray gains full custody of his son. While it failed to impress reviewers, the film remains a notable example of a project that prioritized star power and broad appeal over critical acclaim.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Getting Even with Dad
- Also: Wikidata — Getting Even with Dad · CC0
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