Fatherhood (2022) Movie Review

“Fatherhood” is a movie based on the true story of Matthew Logelin, a single father who raises his daughter after his wife, Liz, dies suddenly. The film stars Kevin Hart as Logelin and is directed by Paul Weitz, co-written by Weitz and Dana Stevens. The movie tries to address several issues, including the challenges of single parenthood, work-life balance, gender-based clothing, and lack of support groups for single fathers. However, the film ultimately falls short in delivering a meaningful exploration of these topics.

One issue that stands out in the film is the choice of Kevin Hart as the lead actor. Logelin is a white man, yet Hart, a black actor, portrays him. While color-blind casting can be effective, it can also undermine the authenticity of the story. In this case, it seems that the choice was made for the sake of star power rather than to create a more compelling narrative. Despite this, Hart gives a strong performance, particularly in his scenes with Alfre Woodard, who plays his mother-in-law Marian, and DeWanda Wise, who plays his love interest, Swan. Hart also has good chemistry with Melody Hurd, who plays his daughter, Maddy.

The movie begins with Logelin and his wife, Liz, preparing for the birth of their daughter. After complications during childbirth, Liz dies suddenly, leaving Logelin to raise Maddy on his own. The film covers Logelin's struggles to adjust to his new life as a single father, including dealing with his wife's death, learning how to care for an infant, and navigating work and family life.

The film tries to explore the challenges of single fatherhood, but it does so in a way that feels superficial. For example, when Matt returns to work, he is met with hostility from his boss, who wants him to come back to work full-time. This conflict is resolved too quickly and easily, without any meaningful exploration of the issue. Similarly, the film touches on the lack of support groups for single fathers, but this is never fully explored.

One of the film's biggest flaws is the portrayal of Matt's friends, Jordan and Oscar. They are written as crude and insensitive, providing little more than awkward comedic relief. This portrayal does a disservice to the story, as it undermines the emotional weight of Logelin's journey. In addition, the film's attempts to address gender-based clothing and other issues are cursory at best, never fully exploring the complexities of these issues.

The film's strongest moments come in the interactions between Logelin and his daughter, Maddy. Hart and Hurd have excellent chemistry, and their scenes together are some of the most emotionally resonant in the film. Hurd is a standout in her role, bringing depth and nuance to her portrayal of a young girl grappling with the loss of her mother.

Despite its flaws, "Fatherhood" is still a watchable movie. Kevin Hart gives a strong performance, and the film has moments of emotional resonance. However, the film falls short in its exploration of the challenges of single fatherhood, and the portrayal of Matt's friends undermines the emotional weight of the story. If you're looking for a heartwarming film about fatherhood, there are better options out there.

Overall, “Fatherhood” is a decent film that falls short of its potential. While Hart’s performance anchors the movie and the scenes with Hurd are touching, the script feels rushed and unfocused, covering too many topics without delving deeply into any of them. The supporting characters, especially Jordan and Oscar, are poorly written and add little to the story. Ultimately, the film is a missed opportunity to tell a truly unique story about a Black father’s journey in raising his daughter alone.

In conclusion, “Fatherhood” is a movie about the challenges of single parenthood and the love that binds a father and daughter together. While Kevin Hart delivers a strong performance as the lead, the film suffers from a lackluster script and underdeveloped supporting characters. Despite its flaws, the movie has moments of genuine emotion and highlights the importance of family in times of crisis. While it may not be a cinematic masterpiece, “Fatherhood” is a worthwhile watch for anyone looking for a heartwarming story about the power of fatherhood.