FATHERHOOD

FATHERHOOD is a comedy drama on Netflix about a man who must raise his new baby daughter, Maddy, on his own when her mother unexpectedly dies just after childbirth. FATHERHOOD is equal parts funny, compelling and heartfelt, with good performances and a strong moral worldview with Christian references, but it also has too many obscenities, about 30, and some sexual references and innuendo.

The movie begins with Matt, who’s at the pulpit at a church at funeral. Cut to a few days earlier. Matt and his wife Liz are with a doctor. Liz is nearing the time to give birth. The doctor says they need to induce labor and have a C-section that night! Matt and Liz handle the procedure like pros and named their daughter Maddy.

The next day, though, when Liz prepares to be wheeled out of the hospital, she struggles to breath and soon after, dies of a pulmonary embolism. Back at the funeral, Matt, his mother-in law and mother discuss the hardships of parenting and if he’s up to the task. They try to convince Matt to move closer to family, but Matt wants to stay planted where his life with Liz was and raise Maddy himself.

Of course, Matt must adjust to daily feedings, naptimes and a new work/life balance. Thankfully, he has some friends who share some of the load, and, for the most part, an understanding supervisor at his job. Positively too, Matt reaches out for help at a local parenting support group. It seems he’s well on his way to becoming a super-dad.

Cut to about five years later, Maddy is going to school, and Matt’s friends try to set him up with a woman at a social event. Oddly, she’s named Liz, which sends chills down Matt’s spine. However, she seems nice, and Matt begins to date her, with the approval of Maddy, who calls the woman “Swan.”

Maddy, however, is somewhat of a tomboy and a spitfire, which gets her into trouble at her Catholic school, where she must wear a skirt and behave. When some boys tease Maddy for wearing boy’s underwear on the jungle gym, Maddy tries to get physical in defense but winds up hurting her head and going to the hospital. Matt rushes to be by her side. However, being in the same building where his late wife died, brings up insecurities about his ability to provide for his daughter.

With so much to consider, family, dating and everything in between, will Matt make choices that honor Maddy and his commitment to fatherhood?

FATHERHOOD’s casting is very good. Kevin Hart as Matt and Alfre Woodard as Matt’s mother-in-law, Marian, showcase great dramatic tension on screen and humanize the reality that many families face when loss comes into play. Channing Tatum (STEP UP, DEAR JOHN) joins Kevin Hart as producer on the movie, as both men also have daughters of their own, which adds some sweetness to the feel of the movie. FATHERHOOD is equal parts funny and compelling, with emotional, heartfelt moments.

FATHERHOOD has a strong moral worldview with some Christian and politically correct elements. The movie highlights the power of family commitment, staying the course when times get tough, and providing for family, despite hardships. Positively, there’s also a scene in a church, a few Thank Gods and a mention of God’s plan. Politically correct elements come into play when the protagonist’s daughter wants to wear pants at her Catholic school, and the movie portrays the schoolteachers as the villains for trying to stop her. FATHERHOOD is also marred by lots of foul language and some sexual immorality. So, MOVIEGUIDE® advises extreme caution.