THE BREADWINNER -- Your Mom’s New Favorite Movie!

Review by Steve Barton II

As a stand-up comedian, getting the opportunity to star in your own comedy movie is one the major milestones that you yearn for. The tradition began with Bob Hope with The Big Broadcast back in 1938 and it’s become a goal for every major star to reach. When it comes to commercial success for comedians in film, there are mainly two routes to go down. It’s either do a crass, raunchy sex comedy like The 40-Year-Old Virgin or you do the family comedy like Grown-Ups, Cheaper by the Dozen or Daddy Day Care. When it comes to The Breadwinner, stand-up superstar Nate Bargatze made the safe bet to put down the condoms and break out the mini-van instead. The Breadwinner follows Nate Wilcox (Bargatze) as a majorly successful car salesman whose life revolves around being the greatest at his craft. When his wife, Katie’s (Mandy Moore) invention finds traction and forces her to travel outside of the home, Nate is forced to step up as a temporary single parent and manage the household with their three kids.

Entering The Breadwinner, most audience members can predict the plot with ease because this movie doesn’t trend any new ground other than the modern cringe dialogue. Older fans of the family comedy genre will immediately spot the nearly identical parallels with the 1983 Michael Keaton hit Mr. Mom, whether it’s the basic plot or even the amount of children they have. Dan Lagana and Bargatze use the Mr. Mom blueprint to map out where to include Nate’s stand-up bits to create a visual representation of his old material. While it can be seen as Nate just reheated his old soggy nachos, his longtime fans will gladly gobble them up as “Easter eggs” to share with their family.

Nate also seems to be borrowing from Adam Sandler’s playbook too by casting a beautiful woman like Mandy Moore to play his wife, while also getting a few of his comedic buddies paid too! Nate has a few moments in The Breadwinner that got some big chuckles from the crowd, but the scene stealers were Colin Jost as the only “school dad” who feels threatened by Nate and Will Forte as the contractor working on their house. Will is perfect at playing the over-the-top idiot who you can’t help but root for and Colin is perfect as a self conscious, awkward dad who just begs for attention and acceptance.

The look of The Breadwinner is nothing special, but they could’ve done some classic bits had they put in a bit more effort. The stuff with the horse was humorous and will play well to the kids in the crowd, having more practical stunts and gags like they did in classics like Home Alone would’ve helped this stand out in the crowded room of family comedies. The (not so subtle) product placement in this film may have been the most nauseating aspect of the whole experience. Whether it’s a Toyota dealership being a major location or Nate pushing the all free clear branded laundry detergent into the camera as he’s washing clothes for his family. While they at least make an effort to include the products into the plot, the blatant shilling for corporations is embarrassing, especially when it has major studio backing.

In the end, The Breadwinner isn’t gonna be the next record breaking comedy, but it will be your mom’s new favorite movie! The heart is present all over with Nate writing the family story from a personal angle. Bargatze is a girl dad himself and he shares his struggle to connect with his kids at different stages in their development and how they all need a unique approach. While Mandy may be a bit out of Nate’s league, their chemistry as a couple is believable and he genuinely presents as a guy who wants to be a supportive partner and father, but his own selfish tendencies get in the way. The Breadwinner isn’t gonna win over anyone who isn’t fond of Bargatze and his style of dry humor, but his fans and families who all want to laugh without fear of anything too crass will make a fun memory at the theater together!

The Breadwinner is in theaters now!

Rating: 3/5