I have seen this movie at least 15 times and every time it is the same...Val is NOT ashamed of his parents' lifestyle, He KNOWS that is fiance's parents WILL NOT UNDERSTAND so he tries to make things work. That is why he asked them to act straight just for that day. I don't understand everyone knocking the Val character, It was played well and I liked him.
shareI just wrote a post about how much I couldn't stand him. I don't think he is ashamed of his parents, but he also shows them no respect by coming up with this scenario. Everything about it says *beep* you to them, because his priority is gaining acceptance from people he never met, for a woman he's known for what- a year? Not to mention, even if they pulled it off, would they never have an excuse to meet again? Children, holidays, etc.
shareFaking it "for a day?" What about the rest of their lives? This whole movie is about Val wanting to give in to right-wing a-holes. Screw Val.
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"Love means never having to say you're ugly." - the Abominable Dr. Phibes
Everyone is saying that it's very short sighed and unrealistic of the children not to assume that the families will meet again, ect.
[Which I agree]
But, I see it as more of a case of trying to get the first impression/meeting over with, wedding approvals granted, avoid a bunch of fuss before the wedding...and deal with the eventual reveal and other meetings after they were already married and it was all said and done, etc.
Like say for instance you have a new boyfriend with a bunch of tattoos and piercings and junk you know your parents would hate. You might ask him to take off the earrings/wear a long sleeve shirt for the first dinner together, but once they either get to know him enough [or you've been together long enough they don't see it as a fling and thus resign themselves to the fact that their bitching can't get rid of him], then you don't really hid it anymore.
That's how I saw it anyway.
No I don't think I will. The Val character showcases the ugliness of homophobia.
shareBut Val isn't homophobic. I think that Barbara's parents are the ones who showcase how ugly homophobia is. Val has no problem that he has two fathers, but in a society where homophobia is still running rampant (remember that this was made in 1996), he is forced to act like he has a traditional family.
Barbara's parents are the ones who are hurting Val, and in turn, hurting Val's family. It doesn't just affect gay people.
SIND SIE DAS ESSEN NEIN WIR SIND DER JÄGER
Wasn't it Barbara who lied about how the Goldman's were? Not Val? Val was just backing up his fiance. After all, she'd know her parents better than him.
Straightedge means I'm better than you.
I think the thing to remember about Val is that HE'S 20 YEARS OLD.
He obviously loves both of his parents but he's not thinking clearly about how much this may hurt Albert. He got instructed at a young age by his father to lie about being raised by two gay men (they mention that early on) so he thinks this is acceptable. Yes he's in the wrong (which is why he calls Albert his "mother" at the end) but it's not out of malice. There's nothing to suggest he's ashamed of them. Only that he's freaked out how Barbara's narrow minded parents will react.
IMO, it still doesn't excuse his rude behavior. A six year old has better manners and is taught not to insult people. Val was a complete a-hole and his father did nothing to correct him which was probably the problem to begin with.
shareI don't understand why you think it was perfectly ok for Barbara to tell so many ridiculous lies that the Goldmans couldn't keep up with. They were both being immature and hurtful to Val's family. Don't make excuses for them.
The people you idolize wouldn't like you.
I didn't say it was ok. In fact, the point of the movie is that it's not ok. Something they both learned.
I'm just saying it wasn't Val who decided to do that. Not to mention, it's what he'd been taught by his parents.
Can't stop the signal.
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His character is rude to his parents, not caring.
shareHe wanted to get rid of Albert. He disregarded the feelings of his parents. He spoke to them in a very condescending, arrogant way. He didn't seem to care much, if at all, about how the people around him (Armand, Albert and Agador) would be affected by his attitude and his scheme. All he cared about was himself and his equally deceitful bride-to-be.
And you want us to like him; to feel sorry for him?
You've got to be kidding!
Your opinion of me doesn't define who I am.share
Val is just in a tough situation similar to Greg in Meet the Fockers. Barbara and Val have painted his parents as something they're not, although they danced on the line because they didn't tell the full story.
He's also a very flat character, he's got no real depth to make me care about him. I just look at it and say "He's truly being a big jerk" If he and Barbara broke up because of their parents I'd be like "Tough break...oh well"