Synopsis
A widowed new dad copes with doubts, fears, heartache and dirty diapers as he sets out to raise his daughter on his own. Inspired by a true story.
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Cast
- Kevin HartMatt
- Melody HurdMaddy
- Alfre WoodardMarian
- DeWanda WiseLizzie aka Swan
- Lil Rel HoweryJordan
- Anthony CarriganJordan
- Deborah AyorindeLiz
- Thedra PorterAnna
- Frankie FaisonMike
- Paul ReiserPaul
Recommendations
- 75
TheWrap
Perhaps a little too slight to be memorable in the long run, this sensitive and charming tale reassures without, somehow, completely ignoring reality. - 75
Boston Globe
Almost as generic as its title, Fatherhood is made real enough to matter by the strength of its performances and the sincerity of its makers. - 70
The Hollywood Reporter
It’s both an effective star vehicle and a tender tearjerker. - 63
The Associated Press
The film does a good job balancing the drama with the comedy however, and is helped by a strong supporting cast, including Lil Rel Howery and Anthony Carrigan as Matt’s best friends. - 60
Variety
It transitions Hart from playfully scowling cutup to earnest heartfelt actor, and it does so in a way that, at times, is genuinely touching, even as the audience can see every sanded-down conflict and market-tested beat falling into place. - 50
The A.V. Club
There could be something to say here about how comically low society’s expectations for fathers remain. The movie also briefly, incisively captures the new-parent contradiction of desperately needing help while wanting to be left alone, free of unsolicited input. But director and co-writer Paul Weitz (About A Boy) keeps making odd choices for what, in a single father’s life, requires comic or dramatic emphasis. - 50
San Francisco Chronicle
It takes a little while, but Fatherhood eventually becomes exactly what you expected. It will make no converts, nor will it push away the faithful. It’s a Kevin Hart movie, after all. - 50
Los Angeles Times
Though Logelin’s story of loss and perseverance is touching, there isn’t really anything deep or convincing about grief or parenting in Fatherhood, making this promising tale something more middling and a touch disappointing.
