Ben Stiller takes his son on a college campus visit, but spends most of the time ruminating about his own lack of success. In constant voiceover and some flights of fantasy, he compares himself to his college buds, all of whom seem to have flourishing lives and careers. Stiller takes this opportunity to go dramatic, but his character’s steady whining makes him hard to like. Austin Abrams plays the prodigy progeny with a much cooler attitude. Writer/director Mike White (who also has a cameo as the married gay director) has penned a script that’s not especially eloquent and definitely self-absorbed (on behalf of the lead character and the writer). He has managed to capture a few moments of genuine feeling, but the impact is diluted by the overwhelming over-indulgence of tedious contemplation.

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