Film: Fatherhood

GENRE: Comedy-Drama
RATING: PG-13 for language and suggestive material
RUNTIME: 1 hour and 49 minutes
PLATFORM: Netflix
STARRING: Kevin Hart (Jumangi 2, Central Intelligence, Night School)
Alfre Woodard (Luke Cage, 12 Years a Slave), Anthony Carrigan (Barry)
DIRECTOR: Paul Weitz (About a Boy, In Good Company, American Pie)
WRITERS: Weitz (About a Boy) & Dana Stevens (City of Angels)
PLOT: A father brings up his girl as a single dad when his wife dies right after childbirth.

FULL DISCLOSURE: I’m actually lukewarm when it comes to Kevin Hart.

STORY STUFF: There are a number of sugary-sweet moments in this film like a lot of Weitz’ work. The cliché Three Men and a Baby moments seem lazy though as is the last minute ‘epiphany’. The whole thing was pretty predictable but still watchable. I’m glad they do a time jump from baby to kindergarten so Hart has someone to talk to instead of himself.

ACTING STUFF: Hart plays some good dramatic moments but I wanted more comedy from him. He seemed to restrain himself so that he could be taken seriously. Lil Rel Howery (Get Out) gets some fun lines. It’s weird seeing Carrigan in a non-Barry role but he still plays it dumb. Woodard is also pretty cliché as the overbearing and untrusting mother-in-law. I liked DeWanda Wise (She’s Gotta Have It) as the love interest.  

ARTISTIC STUFF: Nothing much to say here. Some fun montages?

VERDICT: Two stars out of five
SEE IT IF: You’re a single father I guess?
UPCOMING REVIEW: Black Widow