Our synopsis and response to the trailer for Old Dads — written by, directed by, and starring Bill Burr.
Bobby Cannavale, Bokeem Woodbine, and Bill Burr in ‘Old Dads’ | Michael Moriatis/Netflx
The trailer for Old Dads — a Netflix original film directed by and starring Bill Burr — dropped on September 20, 2023, and it’s clear that the film is aiming to ruffle some feathers (but it surely’s all in good fun). As he narrates within the trailer, Burr stars as a father who took “46 years to make [becoming a dad] occur.” So, let’s just say he’s not a 20-something-year-old millennial pops together with his Instagram notifications turned on.
The trailer opens with Burr’s Jack telling his son — who looks no older than 5 or 6 — to rub some dirt on his elbow wound. Then, in walks a messy-haired, glasses-wearing young man who says that slightly Neosporin can be a smart idea, because it’s common knowledge that the ointment will keep the cut clean. With an overtly old-school mentality (that’s as antithetical to subtle as possible), Burr notes that he’s attempting to “raise slightly man here, not an expletive p*ssy.” He tells the younger gent to take to Twitter and “share the story where [he’s] the hero.” We’re only 20 seconds into the trailer, and we’ve got a battle of the generations brewing.
Jack also has two best friends who face the struggles of a world they don’t recognize alongside him, played by Bobby Cannavale and Bokeem Woodbine. Cannavale, nevertheless, in a single scene, does all in his power to look “hip and with it,” using the phrase “fleekity-fleek” — while conversing with a nonchalant millennial who’s palpably uncomfortable — as if such a phrase is or ever was an expression of coolness. Cannavale also boasts a scene during which he explains how awesome he once was, reminiscing about his glory years with a way of bittersweet longing. He’s perfectly solid on this role, as he’s the handsome guy transitioning out of his DILF years and into the Silver Fox demographic.
These three pals now work for a young boss who is unquestionably a bit ageist and reeks of coastal elitism. The teenager with a currently-trending middle part informs them that their corporation is “now a gender-neutral, carbon-neutral, Twenty first-century lifestyle brand,” to which Jack responds with utter confusion, “I don’t know what any of meaning.”
From fighting with new-wave principals to hopping on city scooters and coping with social justice warriors, the comedy is certain to entertain, while commenting on the social and cultural divide between millennials and Gen X. However, the film seems less all for the political aspect of this divide, and more focused on the day-to-day difficulties that such polar perspectives catalyze. In avoiding policy and specializing in the non-public, the film will hopefully be a relatable and bridge-building piece that accomplishes the mighty goal of unification via humor and empathy. The upcoming movie was co-written by Burr and Ben Tishler (Hate To See You Go).
Old Dads is scheduled to premiere on Netflix on October 20, 2023.
