Parents' Guide to

Like Father

By Renee Longstreet, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

Goodhearted but predictable father-daughter comedy; language

Movie NR 2018 98 minutes
Like Father Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

age 15+

Based on 4 parent reviews

age 12+
age 15+

Daughters process to healing herself by accidentally reuniting with absent father

Found it quite refreshing to for once see a movie where the woman is not portrayed "perfect" or "sweet", but a person with good and bad behaviours. Bell is good in the role, stern, assertive yet breakable and because the movie focuses on her changing her habits I find it a good movie to see to give example that even nonperfect girls/women deserve portrayal in their process of healing their self. The returning absent father was portrayed well by Kelsey Grammer, and also showed how a person can be both well-meaning but egoistic and how those behovioral patterns can affect their children. A warming end, of course, where the father is allowed to be wholly emotional and give hope for evolution in the norm of "manly man". Because of this I rate it great role models, as the persons are portrayed as p e r s o n s, making choices to do right. They are not perfect but give a tad of hope even an old dog can learn to sit. Quite diverse cast, minorities are though represented a bit too stereotypically to have this movie called wholly diverse in casting/roles. The one scene where Bells character goes one night stand is refreshing because no "sex" is showed onscreen and she is not coerced to anything but just wants to do it. Nicely shows that a woman is not "bad" for wanting. Big minus for all the product placement and alcohol/drinking culture-but then again it does not only show it in "good"light, and fact is, that many people realistically go on party cruises to do just that-drink. Which is then realistic. Easy going with moments of depth, but overall a light hearted and in many ways good movie. Better than many of the same style.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Too much consumerism
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (4):
Kids say (4):

Appealing lead performances, especially by Kristen Bell, who's just right as Rachel, along with the creative team's enthusiasm and competence, don't make up for the formulaic story that unfolds. The film's outcome is never in doubt. Tablemates on the ship are the expected ones: a gay couple, an African American couple, and an older, most likely Jewish, duo. And while it's tantalizing to see the games, excursions, and partying that goes on aboard the good ship "Harmony of the Seas" -- Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. is surely smiling -- some of the activities are silly, worn-out, and forced, as are some of the "working it out" scenes between father and daughter. Watchable, but not special, Like Father is both a redemption story and an extensive, marketing-savvy look at cruising on one of the enormous "floating hotels" now making their way through the seas in the tropical sunshine.

Movie Details

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