Crazy on the outside

This light comedy is perfect for a lazy Saturday afternoon! The story revolves around Tommy Zelda (played by Tim Allen), a man who has just been released after 3 years of imprisonment, and is now forced to move together with his eccentric and overly manipulative sister Vicky (Sigourney Weaver), her sardonic husband Ed (J.K. Simmons) and their grandmother. Though sometimes a bit slow paced and making use of jokes we are all too well accustomed with, this comedy still manages to amuse and relax its audience. Helen Slayton-Hughes’ character, Grandma, truly shines and gives a bit of color to the otherwise predictable narrative, and at the end you are left with the feeling that you should have seen more of her in the film. The plot relies on easy and accessible jokes but fails to deliver any punch lines. Tommy plans to resurrect his deceased father’s business and to strengthen the relationship he has with Christy (Julie Bowen) , a former girlfriend about whom Vicky had said that she was killed in an accident. After finding a temporary job in a fast-food restaurant, Tommy learns that the beautiful Christy is very much alive, but is engaged to an electronics tycoon named Frank.
Realizing that life can be much more complicated outside of the prison walls, Tommy decides to keep away from Gray (Ray Liotta), a friend whose illegal activities were the cause of his initial arrest, even more so because As Gray wants to lure his former partner into a new scheme. Tommy’s existence is tortuous as he still nurtures feelings towards Angela, the policewoman who is in charge of him over his parole period and who is also a single mother.
Overall, this is a pleasant and simple comedy that does not make any great artistic claims and which suggests a possible life story, partly naive, partly believable. With credible treacheries and rich family emotions, with hope in the fulfillment of dreams and a bit if wit at times, the film manages to loosen us up without harming our common sense. If you do not expect more than what it truly is from it, you will surely enjoy this comedy, which is also directed by Tim Allen!