Cat Daddies
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Cat Daddies
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Cat Daddies is a documentary intended to dispel stereotypes and negative attitudes associated with men having cats. The featured cat owners -- who all share how having a pet cat has improved their life -- come from a variety of U.S. regions and are diverse in terms of age, race, and socioeconomic status. Several are in careers traditionally associated with "manliness," including a firefighter, a stuntman, and a trucker, but the message here is that caring for and protecting others is the foundation for strength. The film aims to show how the interviewees became more compassionate once they adopted a purry, furry companion. That's especially driven home through a storyline that follows an unhoused immigrant with cerebral palsy whose love for his cat companion gives him the will to live. Content is mild overall, but cigarette smoking and vape smoke are shown.
What's the Story?
CAT DADDIES introduces eight men whose lives have been vastly improved by adopting a cat. The men find that their relationship with their feline friends helps them through the unexpected challenges of 2020. They share how their kitties helped them with everything from starting a new business to finding a passion, a purpose, a significant other, and even a reason to live.
Is It Any Good?
Like a heated cup of milk or a feline curled up on your lap, Cat Daddies is warm and soothing, if not action packed. Cats are known for their adorable and hilarious antics -- YouTube was essentially built on cat videos. Director Mye Hoang knows this, opening with footage of a cat influencer who makes funny kitty skits and closing with Instagram sensation Goal Kitty. But overall she steers away from cats leaping at laser lights, instead relying on human stories.
Hoang wisely focuses on the journey of David, an undocumented Georgian immigrant with cerebral palsy living on the streets of New York City who puts his beloved cat Lucky's needs above his own. Through Lucky, he bonds with two other cat lovers who strive to get David the help and health care he needs. It's a remarkable example of compassion in the real world and helps challenge preconceived notions about the unhoused. But many of the movie's other stories are softer and not quite as captivating. Two of the subjects are actors who are camera savvy and personable, but some of the other interviewees are less memorable. Hoang's effort to expand the definition of masculinity is noble and nice, but ultimately there are few surprising revelations here.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the therapeutic benefits of having a cat. What other animals do you think make good service pets?
How does Cat Daddies challenge gender stereotypes? What other clichéd attitudes about masculinity have you heard? Why is authentic representation important?
How does David's story challenge beliefs about the unhoused? How do David's friends act with compassion? What other examples of compassion are in the film? Why is compassion an important character strength?
Movie Details
- In theaters: October 14, 2022
- Cast: David Giovanni, Ryan Robertson, Nathan Kehn
- Director: Mye Hoang
- Studio: Motion Picture Exchange
- Genre: Documentary
- Topics: Cats, Dogs, and Mice, Great Boy Role Models
- Run time: 89 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: December 20, 2022
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