Synopsis

Nurse Greg Focker plans to propose to his girlfriend, Pam, during a weekend visit with her parents on Long Island. His hopes of winning their approval quickly unravel when Pam's intimidating father, Jack, subjects him to relentless scrutiny. A chain of accidents, misunderstandings, and humiliations leaves Greg struggling to prove that he is worthy of joining the family.

Factoids & Trivia

• The film is a remake of the 1992 independent comedy of the same name, written by Greg Glienna and Mary Ruth Clarke. Universal Pictures acquired the rights and developed a substantially expanded version for a wider audience.

• Steven Spielberg was once interested in directing, while Jim Carrey was attached to play Greg and contributed jokes to an early version of the screenplay. The project changed direction before Jay Roach and Ben Stiller came aboard.

• The surname "Focker" reportedly drew scrutiny from the MPAA. The filmmakers were said to have needed to identify a real person with that surname before the name could be used.

• Mr. Jinx, the Byrnes family's cat, became a memorable comic presence. Robert De Niro reportedly enjoyed working with the animal and carried cat food in his pockets to encourage cooperation during filming.

• Ben Stiller's awkward wardrobe was intentional. Roach explained that the uncomfortable-looking clothes were meant to reinforce Greg's unease throughout the disastrous visit.

• Released in the United States and Canada on October 6, 2000, the film became one of the year's biggest hits, earning more than $330 million worldwide and inspiring the sequels Meet the Fockers and Little Fockers.