Rating: 
Summary: Some Jokers might think this isn't worth 5 stars
Review: This is an absolutely stunning, painfully funny film, shamefully underrated (see also 'Office Space', 'Dirty Work' for similarly overlooked comic masterpieces). I'm not such a huge Ben Stiller fan, apart from in 'Mary, and 'Royal Tennenbaums', but he is perfectly cast here, as a reticent man, forced into some horrifically uncomfortable public humiliations.
It wouldn't be fair to reveal much of the plot, but the climax of Stiller's search for his biological parents is pure gut-renching black comedy.
Don't believe the critics who give this anything less than 5 stars - this is top-quality entertainment, for those who like their comedy black, and on the dry side.
Rating: 
Summary: Forget the flirting¿
Review: After seeing an interview with Mary Tyler Moore shortly before the release of this film, I knew this was one film I might want to watch--never. She was literally gushing about a possible resurgence of her career, potentially as a mature sex symbol. But I decided not to overly prejudge based on that one extremely scary thought, so I went to the filmography: Ben Stiller in the lead (ouch), Tea Leoni (argh-thankfully not above the title), directed by David O. Russell (it just gets worse and worse).Nothing of any note yet, let's get to the film. Neuroses, uncertainty, more neuroses--support bra humor, vomit humor incessantly crying baby humor. (add Tea Leoni-interruptus). It's like a bad Neil Simon play (that being worse than a regular Neil Simon play). Sorry kids, but enough is enough. Not even funny in a 15-year old's dreams. Total elapsed viewing time 11 minutes and 30 seconds. Alternate title suggestions: Clear and Present Disaster, The Towering Disaster, The Poseidon Disaster, Disaster 1996, Spanking the Disaster, Disaster in Yonkers, Mad About You (whoops already taken by a similar attempt at dysfunctional, neurotic coupled-comedy).
Rating: 
Summary: Great cast, weak script.
Review: Amazing cast of talented people who put in good performances despite the plodding script. Wow, if these top comic actors had better material this thing would have been dynamite. Instead, the few funny jokes you can all see coming a mile away. As an adoptee myself of the same age as Stiller's character, I can really relate to much of the truth in this movie. So I recommend this to grown adoptees as well as fans of the stars. Be sure to watch through the credits, some amusing scenes in there.
Rating:
Summary: Whatever
Review: Another critically acclaimed film that had me saying: "Whatever" when it was finally over. "Rushmore" was another one that left me cold and not laughing. I guess it's me. I just didn't get it. A friend of mine recommended this film to me and I was really excited about seeing it hoping for some really good laughs. Unfortunately, I mostly sat there wondering what was supposed to be so funny. I found it shrill and disjointed. And after seeing Tea Leoni in three films now I honestly feel she should stick to television or get out of acting period. She really reeks. And it wasn't funny when Mary Tyler Moore bragged about how wonderful her breasts still looked at her age. It was, sadly, embarrassing. A wonderful cast in what I feel was a big disappointment.
Rating: 
Summary: Best armpit licking scene ever
Review: Ben Stiller is once again out to "meet the parents" - his own parents this time - but doing so proves, well, almost disasterous. The film presents an amusing cross-section of white America. Ben Stiller plays another uptight role (a blend of the Ben Stiller from Reality Bites/Meet the Parents/Royal Tenenbaums). I laughed out loud a few times and grinned quite a bit too. This movie is not for the typical movie watcher who still finds Hollywood formula comedies amusing. If you loved the Royal Tenenbaums you'd probably like or love this film. And any movie with an armpit licking scene is worth watching.
Rating:
Summary: Ben Stiller's Best
Review: Ben Stiller stars as an adopted child (now a father) in a desperate search for his biological parents. The journey is not an easy one and it leads into uncharted territory for both he and his wife (Partricia Arquette). Turn off your "politically correct" sensors and enjoy this romp through American families at their most perverse. Also starring Tea Leoni, Alan Alda, Mary Tyler Moore, George Segal, Josh Brolin and Lily Tomlin. If you know of a better Ben Stiller film, please tell me.
Rating: 
Summary: Started nowhere went nowhere
Review: Corny dialogues. Very very predictable. Not funny
Rating:
Summary: Incredibly funny - SMART funny!
Review: Even though my comments will echo those of other positive comments listed on this site, I felt I HAD to put my two cents in, if only to get the "Average Rating" boosted so that more folks will check out this classic comedy. As you can see from the handful of negative reviews, it's not everyone's cup of tea - some people perceive it to be a somewhat grating experience. True, the humor comes out of putting people in very uncomfortable situations but, if you find humor in well meaning but neurotic people squrming and sweating their way through funny mishap after funny mishap, you will adore this movie. Everyone is fantastic in this film, though Tea Leoni, Alan Alda, and Lily Tomlin come close to stealing the show. Arquette is a sexy straight man (though she gets to earn some laughs, too), Stiller is his usual put-upon self, Mary Tyler Moore & George Segal have great cameos, and Josh Brolin & Richard E. Jenkins make for two unforgettable Feds. A ton of brilliant set pieces and memorable/quotable lines are served up by the very talented David O. Russell ("Three Kings," "Spanking the Monkey") in this, his second film as writer/director. I have no negative criticism to offer - it's hilarious every time you view it (and I've screened it plenty). Really, it's one of the best SMART comedies of the past decade. Folks looking for flatulence jokes, zany hairdos, and pop cultural references in lieu of witty dialogue will have to look elsewhere. I'd give it 10 stars if that were an option - I cannot praise it enough.
Rating:
Summary: I'M SEEING COLORS I DON'T WANNA SEE
Review: Hilarious film. The dialogue is priceless and the characters are well-developed and likeable. Ben Stiller plays Mel Coplin, the (adult) adopted son of Mary Tyler Moore and George Segal. Their constant arguments are hilarious and neurotic. Mel is married to Nancy, played wonderfully by Patricia Arquette (usually I do not like her but she was great in this role). They have just had a baby boy and cannot seem to name him because Mel has hang ups about it. He decides that in order to name the son and to get on with his life he needs to meet his birth parents. He sees an adoption counselor, Tina Kalb (played annoyingly well by Tea Leoni. She is all right but I don't personally see her appeal). Tina informs Mel that she has located his birth mother in San Diego, and this is where the fun ensues. I won't mention all the details because that will ruin much of the fun... but the mishaps and mistakes and problems encountered all along the way have Mel, Nancy, and Tina running all over the US, meeting up with one of Nancy's high school acquaintances in Michigan after they destroy a US post office. Lily Tomlin and Alan Alda play Mel's birth parents, and you will scarcely believe the joys that await everyone when they arrive at their house. I have heard mixed reviews of this film, but my own opinion is that it is hilarious and if you listen to all the dialogue, the observations and discussions the characters have is brilliant. Particularly funny is the part of Paul (Richard E. Jenkins), the Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agent.
Rating:
Summary: Not one of Stiller's finest....
Review: I am a huge Ben Stller fan and was very excited to read the wonderful reviews on Amazon since I have never heard of this movie. I quickly ordered it and awaited the day when it would be delivered.
After the first 30 minutes, I was bored. I turned it off and tried again to watch it a few days later. Loving Meet the Parents and Something about Mary, this movie was NOTHING in comparison to either of them. Very dark, dry humor about ben's character going cross country with his wife, child, social worker and two policeman who come along for the ride.
I will admit that there were a couple of giggle moments (not laugh, giggle) but over-all, I was dissapointed with Flirting with Disaster.
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