The role of the Understanding Dad has a long history in teen girl coming-of-age movies—its lineage runs from Donald Crisp through Harry Dean Stanton. But in recent years an interesting subspecies has developed: the Understanding but Wisecracking Dad. The version played by Stanley Tucci in Easy A may not actually be a very helpful parent to Emma Stone—he’s perhaps just a little too blithe about his daughter’s ostensible promiscuity—but he’s the funniest father I’ve seen. His lines (most seem improvised) assure us that this is all just a little hormones, nothing to stand in the way of a good joke. Academy, Laurelhurst.
- Best paired with: Lompoc C-Note Imperial.
- Also showing: The Town (Academy, Edgefield, Kennedy School, Laurelhurst, Mission).
