MEET THE PARENTS (Cert 12, 108 mins). Comedy with Robert De Niro, Ben Stiller, Teri Polo, Blythe Danner, Nicole DeHuff, Jon Abrahams, Tom McCarthy, Phyllis George, James Rebhorn, Owen Wilson.

Imagine you've met the girl or guy of your dreams, that special someone you're sure you want to spend the rest of your life with.

Marriage bells are ringing softly in your ears, and the only thing standing between you and eternal bliss is the dreaded meet and greet the future in-laws.

Naturally you're a bundle of nerves, determined to make a good impression. Your sweetheart tells you not to worry, to just be yourself, but all that faux bravado comes crashing about you when you discover your prospective father-in-law is Travis Bickle in khaki slacks, V-neck knitwear and sensible shoes.

Fast-talking ER nurse Greg Focker (Ben Stiller) faces just such a nightmare scenario in Jay Roach's hysterical comedy Meet The Parents, when he and girlfriend Pam (Teri Polo) travel to the leafy suburbs of New York to attend the wedding of Pam's sister Debbie (Nicole DeHuff).

Bad omens loom as soon as the couple steps off the plane Greg's luggage goes AWOL and airport staff are less than helpful in tracking down the missing baggage.

The weekend quickly goes downhill when Pam's imposing father Jack (Robert De Niro) begins interrogating Greg and makes it clear that no one is good enough for his daughter. Especially not a mere male nurse with a vulgar-sounding surname.

Encouraged by Pam's mother Dina (Blythe Danner), Greg tries everything to win over the old man, but to no avail. Meet The Parents is one of the year's finest comedies, wringing every last laugh from a universally feared rites of passage.

Swearing

No Sex

Violence

Rating 7/10