I also thought he was Mal's father, and that her name was Moll. I agree with Dana, but I've seen different reviews say different things, with authority.
Buffista Movies 7: Brides for 7 Samurai
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Okay, putting actual thought into it now, I guess I also figured that Michael Caine had Cobb as a student and taught him how to architect dreams. If that's a verb. Which it probably shouldn't be.
I'm pretty sure he calls him his father in law.
When Cobb comes to Miles, Miles says "So you've come to take my best and brightest" in a way that makes me feel like the "...again" is implicit. Like Mal is Miles' daughter and maybe Cobb and Mal met in Miles' classes, or something. All speculation.
Here's another thing I've been wondering: I think Cobb says that the token was Mal's idea, and I know the top was hers. But did Cobb have a totem before the top, and if so what was it? I mean, there's no way to know, I've just been toying* with the thought .
* ha!
According to a quick google search there a multiple links to a video in which Michael Caine refers to his character as Cobb's father-in-law. So, I guess I was wrong. I can't actually play the video on my computer right now.
Here's another thing I've been wondering:
Smonster, I have been wondering that too.
Hairless cat alert for tommy: Apparently you should see Cats & Dogs 2. Okay, apparently you shouldn't, but it may technically be relevant to your interests.
I dunno - it sounds like Cats & Dogs 2 perpetuates negative stereotypes about hairless cats, such as "they're not cute".
Cats & Dogs 2
Currently at 15% on Rotten Tomatoes.