Fatherhood Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		0.0
Overall		3.5

Fatherhood Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf July 4, 2022

Kevin Hart isn’t known for his dramatic capabilities, offering a rare show of non-yelling sensitivity in 2017’s “The Upside.” He’s largely remained in the field of comedy, playing to his fanbase with silly pictures that demand volume, not timing, but “Fatherhood” is perhaps the most direct acting challenge Hart has faced during his screen career. He’s tasked with playing a broken widower trying to raise his daughter on his own, and while the endeavor isn’t too far from laughs, it makes a few attempts to deal with the emotional realities of parenthood, especially for those unprepared for its immense challenges. Hart’s does a fine job away from his usual shtick, and “Fatherhood” clicks when it stays focused on the taxing education of household management with a little baby. Any time the writing moves away from the core challenge of endurance, the movie gets caught up in irksome formula.

Expecting a baby with his wife, Liz (Deborah Ayorinde), Matthew (Kevin Hart) isn’t sure what to anticipate with an event that will change his life forever. When Liz dies in the hospital soon after giving birth to their child, Matthew is left to care for Maddy (Melody Hurd), lacking the education or the instincts to do so. The widower is swarmed by family, including Liz’s mother, Marian (Alfre Woodard), who hopes to raise Maddy in another state, recognizing that Matthew isn’t mentally up for the caretaker position. Confronting his doubts, the new father rises to the occasion, learning how to keep his kid alive and happy, joined by friends Jordan (Lil Rey Howery) and Oscar (Anthony Carrigan). However, the balance between fatherhood and professional responsibilities begins to take it toll on Matthew, who finds a chance at a new beginning with Swan (DeWanda Wise), a woman charmed by the frazzled man.

“Fatherhood” is an adaptation of a book by Matthew Longelin, who detailed his own experiences a sudden widower and father, struggling through the experience while trying to remain responsible for his newborn child. Putting Hart in the central role means the rough edges of Longelin’s story have been sanded down, finding Matthew always managing to maintain his sense of humor through thick and thin, while the supporting talent, such as Howery, is mostly around to play with the star, creating improvisational opportunities as the characters deal with the demands of parenthood. Darkness hits early, examining the aftermath of Liz’s sudden death. It’s an event Matthew can’t quite believe, while Marian is destroyed, newly committed to the protection of Maddy’s future. Director Paul Weitz (“About a Boy,” “Little Fockers”) gets the horror out of the way early, shaking up the players before the game of life really begins for Matthew, a Bostonian with a tech job (his boss is played by Paul Reiser) who’s suddenly in charge of Maddy’s safety and development, and he’s not even sure how a stroller works.

Dumb Dad cliches are mercifully limited in “Fatherhood,” which details Matthew’s growing confidence in the role. He begins as a mess, covered in fecal matter and sweat, but he gradually begins to understand how to manage an infant, dealing with feedings and attention. Weitz indulges himself with a few cutesy “Three Men and a Baby”-style moments (and some “Kramer vs. Kramer” vibes), but he keeps Matthew credibly overwhelmed for most of the film. The plot initially sets up some tension between Matthew and Marian, who wants Maddy to live with her in Minnesota, preying on the widower’s fears of parental inadequacy. However, this conflict (and most others) is swept away by a mid-movie time jump, which brings Maddy to a Catholic elementary school, where she refuses to abide by the dress code, more comfortable in pants than a skirt. It’s a narrative shake-up that’s disorienting, possibly exposing how much of the story was ultimately excised to keep Matthew front and center, finding the lonely guy suddenly matched with Swan, introducing a romantic subplot that’s unnecessary, inserted here to keep the endeavor warm instead of real.

Fatherhood Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (2.39:1 aspect ratio) presentation supports the colorful look of "Fatherhood," retaining powerful primaries and lush greenery. The emotional moods of the endeavor are represented as well, going from bright and sunny to slightly darker, with grays and browns. Skintones are natural. Detail is excellent, with textured facial surfaces (including a lot of facial hair) and costuming is fibrous, examining baby outfits, thicker business attire, and cottony casual wear. Crisp interiors with highly decorated homes and offices are open for inspection, and exteriors are deep, visiting neighborhoods and parks. Delineation is satisfactory.

Fatherhood Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA mix provides fresh, sharp dialogue exchanges, supporting comedic elements and softer emotional moments between father and daughter. Scoring cues are crisp, supporting the shifting tone of the endeavor, and instrumentation is exact. Music pushes into the surrounds comfortably, and atmospherics are engaging, offering community bustle and room tone. Low-end isn't challenged during the listening event.

Fatherhood Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

There is no supplementary material on this release.

Fatherhood Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

There's not enough parenting anxiety in "Fatherhood," which skips on many relatable ideas to deal with formula, watching Matthew struggle to accept Swan, and work demands increase, putting his relationship with Maddy at stake as he's offered business trips around the globe, helping his career. There could be so much more with Matthew's feelings of guilt and worry that he's no female role model for his daughter, digging into the psychological muck of parenthood and grief. "Fatherhood" doesn't go there, but it means well with its vanilla flavors and big heart, while the star provides some rare moments of vulnerability that expose a possible dramatic future for Hart with stronger material.