| Originally written Frank B.
Gilbreth Jr., and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey, and subsequently brought to
the big screen by Walter Lane in 1950 with Clifton Webb and Myrna Loy
starring as the Gilbreth patriarch and matriach, "Cheaper by the
Dozen" is the true life, enchanting, and at times, madcap, story of
the Gilbreth family; all 14 of them - mom, pop and 12 kids. Set at the
turn of the last century, "Cheaper" was on the best seller
list for over a year when the book was first released. America was
mesmerized by the tale of the efficiency expert father who ran his
household like a factory and his psychologist/industrial engineer wife
who applied her professional skills to raising children, expanding their
minds with higher education at young ages, forward thinking and so on
and so forth. When the film was released, America further embraced the
ideals of this endearing family. Now, some 50+ years after the original
film and almost 100 years since the Gilbreth family first made their
mark on society, Hollywood gives a new, and very different, up-dated
spin a la Steve Martin and Bonnie Hunt, to this beloved tale.
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Photo © Copyright 20th Century Fox
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Kate and Thomas Baker are the parents of 12
children ranging in age from four to twenty-two. They wanted 8 but
finally stopped at 12. They live in a small house in Midland, Illinois.
They are happy; cramped, piled on top of one another, but happy. (And
unlike the Brady's, they have more than one bathroom.) That is, all
except Thomas who has dreams and aspirations of moving from his current
job as high school football coach to the grand and glorious job of
coaching the Illinois Polytechnic University. On the other hand, Kate is
so content with her midwestern small town life, that she is able to sit
down and write a book about her brood. Surprisingly, the book becomes a
best seller. Even more surprisingly, at the same time, Thomas is offered
his dream job coaching college football, complete with a pre-paid LARGE
house (with a room for each kid), substantial salary increase and a
locked in five year contract. One problem, the family has to leave their
happy peaceful existence in Midland and move to Chicago. Kicking and
screaming, the family relocates at Dad's insistence. Adding even more
turmoil is Kate embarking on a publicity tour for her book. Rather than
spend some of their newfound monies on nannies or housekeepers, Kate
elects to leave Tom in charge of the kids. What ensues is sheer mayhem
and poor screenwriting.
In contrast to the original story,
director Shawn Levy and screenwriter Craig Titley, turn a squabbling and
prankish but cohesively loving family into a three ring circus with
vacuous blank-page characterizations, over-the-top antics, overall
annoyance, pratfall free-for-alls and parents that either have the
patience of Job or are under serious sedation. Gone are the days of kids
jumping on beds - now we've got them swinging from chandeliers like
monkeys and falling on their face. Pranks of putting a frog in your
sister's pocket have now advanced to soaking underwear in hamburger and
then sicking the dog on the wearer. Although obviously enthusiastically
directed by Levy, these gimmicks won't pass muster with anyone over the
age of 12. Despite this, however, you will find that for some
inexplicable reason, you can't help but laugh at the goings-on that take
place throughout.
Two of the biggest household names of the
teen and pre-teen generation, Hilary Duff and Ashton Kutcher, are wasted
here. Duff, who is a delight in her signature role as Lizzie Maguire, is
clearly uncomfortable here as 15 year old Lorraine, coming across as
nothing more than a whiney (but bubbly), mono-syllabic dolt thanks to
the poor character development by Tiley. Okay, she does get to be the
family's self-appointed fashion police, but beyond that, well.....
Likewise, Kutcher, who plays boyfriend Hank to 22 year old Nora is
nothing more than a cardboard cut-out, which could also be due in part
to Piper Perabo's performance as Nora. Perabo, despite showing some
prior potential, once again fails to make the cut as even being
adequate.
Disappointingly, Steve Martin, who excels
at playing harried father roles (and remakes) seems at a loss for
comedic material and as a result, is relegated to grabbing laughs
through physical comedy and eye-rolling rather than his well-honed wit.
Also missing from his character is a sense of paternal command or
control and the inherent humor found therein. On the other hand, Bonnie
Hunt is a delight. With the timing of Jack Benny, she plays straight man
to all those around her and as a result, is responsible for some of the
funniest scenes in the film, not to mention giving some much needed
balance to the reigning chaos.
Thankfully, for the most part, Levy
doesn't allow the film to take itself too seriously which helps in
overlooking its deficiencies. Although flawed and far-flung from the
original film, "Cheaper" is still a sweetly saccharine
alternative to some of the "heavier" films out there this
holiday season, that does have some very funny family moments.
Thomas Baker: Steve Martin
Kate Baker: Bonnie Hunt
Lorraine: Hilary Duff
Hank: Ashton Kutcher
Nora: Piper Perabo
Directed by Shawn Levy. Written by Craig
Titley based on the book by Frank B. Gilbreth, Jr. and Ernestine
Gilbreth Carey. A 20th Century Fox Picture. Rated PG.
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