LIKE FATHER (2018)

Written & Directed By: Lauren Logan Miller 
Story By: Lauren Logan Miller & Anders Bard 
Cinematography By: Seamus Tierney 
Editor: Mollie Goldstein 


Cast: Kristen Bell, Kelsey Grammer, Seth Rogen, Kimiko Glenn, Jon Foster, Brett Gelman, Paul Downs 

A workaholic woman who is left at the altar takes her honeymoon trip anyway, joined by her overachieving father, who left her mother because he believed his family was holding back his career.

One can see why maybe this didn’t quite make it to theaters it has humor but not the crowd inducing big belly laughs that most comedies go for. This film seems to have something else in mind that it a bit more heartfelt and honest. As truthfully the first 30 minutes are life but more belong in a drama then a comedy as they are harsh and quite cold.

Not to mention the film feels more focused on character than laughs. Though it might be Slight it still tries to pack some big punches.

They don’t really begin once in the cruise either just as the characters ease into revealing themselves to one another the film eases itself into being more comedic.

Not exactly a romantic comedy but a kind of comedy about relationships. There is no big romance there is a love story but more between father and daughter. In a normal good way.

Kristen Bell is usually good in these types of roles but here she truly shows a toughness and strength and really enjoyed her performance. So far out of most of her romantic comedy type roles this has been the strongest and best. Showing she is capable of more. As she is not the likeable ingenue she usually plays though you can understand her characters anger, but also the problems some might have with her.

This is one of the first time I have been impressed by Kelsey Grammer in a film. Albeit he is Amy in too many. Here he is more quiet and subdued. Which works remarkably well for him and the movie in this role.

The film is filed with moments and acts that are more about repressed emotions.

It’s also practically a big screen advertisement for royal Caribbean cruises. Where most of the film is set with plenty of montages of what they have to offer.

The film is predictable but not exactly in the ways you expect. As the move goes along you get deeper into the story and the characters relationship.

What you see is what you get with this film and you know for the most part exactly what type of film You are getting, but it’s nice once in a while to watch something more good natured and maybe a bit basic. So you can just enjoy and have a good time.

I will admit by the end the move got me with it’s emotions. Now this film doesn’t reinvent the wheel but it is a nice sweet film and thankfully more of the better Netflix originals as of lately.

Grade: B-