The Little Fockers opens in theaters on Wednesday, December 22nd. Luckily, Monica Storch was able to attend an early screening and a roundtable with some of the actors from the film on behalf of Mom in the City. Monica, who has become a dear blogging friend, is the Editor and Publisher of www.nyceast.macaronikid.com, a free weekly e-newsletter and website highlighting great events going on for kids and families in New York City. She\u2019s also the proud, and exhausted, mom of a very sassy (her word, not mine!) 2 \u00bd year old. Monica shares her thoughts below:<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m the first to admit I\u2019m a sucker for a clever, lighthearted comedy. Add a top-notch ensemble cast and I\u2019m basically putty in a moviemaker\u2019s hands. So it goes without saying that I was a huge fan of \u201cMeet the Parents\u201d and \u201cMeet the Fockers,\u201d the first two installments in what\u2019s become one of the most successful movie franchises of all time. When I heard that the series would be continuing with \u201cLittle Fockers\u201d, I couldn\u2019t wait to catch up with Pam and Greg Focker and their clan, which now includes twins Henry and Samantha Focker. \u201cLittle Fockers\u201d follows Pam and Greg as they plan and prepare for the twins\u2019 fifth birthday party, and of course both sets of in-laws, played by Robert DeNiro, Blythe Danner, Dustin Hoffman and Barbra Streisand, are back to stir things up as much as possible! There are some brilliant new additions to the cast as well, including Laura Dern, Harvey Keitel and Jessica Alba. After participating in a roundtable discussion with several members of the \u201cLittle Fockers\u201d cast, I am happy to report that this talented group of actors is as dynamic and engaging in person as their onscreen counterparts. <\/p>\n
First up were Daisy Tahan and Colin Baiocchi, who play twins Samantha and Henry Focker. Daisy, who at 8 has the poise and grace of a girl twice her age, shared with us her love of animals, her fondness for the craft services (i.e., snacks) table and the importance of being kind to everyone on set. (See, I told you she was super mature!). Colin, 7, regaled us with his hilarious stories and physical comedy, especially when describing his interactions with the lizards (both real and stuffed) featured in the movie and being recognized by, and promptly running away from, a girl at his school who wanted to take a picture of him. This kid is such a ham \u2013 he even ended our interview by saying, \u201cAdios, amigo. And cut!\u201d Both Daisy and Colin agreed that their favorite part of being part of the \u201cFockers\u201d cast was getting to hear Teri Polo\u2019s Elmo impression \u2013 in fact, at one point both kids were convinced that Teri actually played Elmo in real life! I loved that Daisy and Colin described themselves as \u201cBFFs\u201d, and it was clear from getting to know them, albeit briefly, that the pair is destined for great things, whether in the entertainment industry or elsewhere. <\/p>\n
Then, Jessica Alba entered the room. (Yes, she is just as breathtaking in person as she is on screen and don\u2019t even get me started on her drool-worthy wardrobe.) Make no mistake about it though \u2013 Jessica is as witty as she is gorgeous. We discussed everything from \u201cI Didn\u2019t Know I Was Pregnant\u201d to her 2 \u00bd year old daughter\u2019s \u201csticky hands\u201d to balancing work and motherhood, and throughout it all Jessica impressed me with her warmth and sincerity as well as her dry sense of humor. As a mother, I wholly related to Jessica\u2019s observation that she finally came into her own when her daughter Honor arrived, and that becoming a mother has not only changed her perspective on life for the better but also enabled her to more fully embrace herself. Jessica\u2019s struggle with deciding which career opportunities to accept now that Honor is in her life also resonated with me. She feels very strongly that, if she\u2019s going to spend time away from Honor it has to be for something that truly matters and about which she\u2019s passionate because she doesn\u2019t want to miss a minute with her daughter. At the same time, however, Jessica related that she\u2019s learned to forgive herself for not being able to spend every second with Honor and accepted the idea that, in order to truly grow, her daughter will inevitably have to experience disappointment and sadness in life and that, as long as she knows that she is loved, it will be good for her. I couldn\u2019t have said it better myself.<\/p>\n
Last, but certainly not least, was the legendary Blythe Danner, who seemed just as curious about us (a group of bloggers) as we were about her! In fact, after the interview, Blythe asked each of us for our cards so that she could check out our sites. Blythe charmed us with stories about acting on stage with her daughter Gwyneth and goofing around with her grandchildren Apple and Moses, who call her \u201cLalo.\u201d She also discussed her passion for instilling in her children a love of music and an appreciation of the value of community service, observing that \u201ccommunity service breaks the isolation of adolescence.\u201d I was particularly impressed by the obvious pride Blythe has in her son and daughter. She described Gwyneth as an \u201cextraordinary\u201d and \u201cpatient\u201d mother who actually receives compliments about her children\u2019s exemplary behavior when flying with them. (Note to self: I must learn Gwyneth\u2019s secrets to air travel with kids). When asked if her approach to being a grandparent at all mirrored that of her \u201cFockers\u201d character, Dina Byrnes, who is a bit \u201cover involved\u201d in her grandchildren\u2019s lives, Blythe chuckled, stating that she\u2019s very careful to only offer her opinion when asked because \u201cI want to be around as much as I can be!\u201d Hmmm\u2026perhaps she\u2019d be interested in giving my mother-in-law a call? <\/p>\n
If the wit and charm of this talented group is any indication, the \u201cFockers\u201d franchise is poised to continue its success for many installments to come. In any event, \u201cLittle Fockers\u201d hits theaters on December 22nd, and it would make for a perfect holiday movie-going experience your entire family is sure to enjoy.\u201d<\/p>\n