Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Blood, drugs in OK action thriller with fun characters.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
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The Baker
What's the Story?
In THE BAKER, Peter (Joel David Moore) is a single father who's working as a limo driver to raise his non-speaking daughter, Delphi (Emma Ho). While awaiting a pickup, Peter witnesses a drug buy gone wrong that leaves all participants dead. He retrieves a bag of drugs from the scene and hatches a plan, dropping Delphi with his estranged father, a baker (Ron Perlman), and heading back to the city to sell the drugs. Unfortunately, Delphi has switched bags, and Peter doesn't have what he promised. Meanwhile, a powerful drug lord known as The Merchant (Harvey Keitel) has tasked his right-hand man, Vic (Elias Koteas), with getting his inventory back or facing the consequences. After a time, Delphi and her Pappi try to find Peter but discover instead a series of tough killers, all of whom are after the drugs and will stop at nothing to get them.
Is It Any Good?
This thoroughly generic action thriller borrows its familiar elements from many sources, but the likable cast help keep things on track with their collective charm and charisma. Pilfering bits from John Wick (the retired warrior who just wants to be left alone), Aliens (the little girl who doesn't speak), and The Professional (the killer and the little girl form a bond), The Baker is at least good enough to line up all the right elements in the right places. Even if it doesn't cook up anything new, it provides many enjoyable little touches.
Perlman is definitely believable as a fighter, but -- as in Liam Neeson's action movies -- he's also human. He bleeds and groans with pain after a fight, and his gentle side is irresistible. It's easy to believe his character's quick bonding with Delphi, as young Emma Ho is a delight. (She wears goggles on her forehead throughout most of the movie, looking somewhat like a junior Hellboy.) Keitel gets only a few scenes in which to play the big crime lord, but he treats the opportunity like The Godfather, oozing calm menace. And Koteas' Vic becomes a tragic figure. The Baker leaves off with the suggestion of a sequel, and, as long as the interesting characters keep coming, that might be OK.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about The Baker's violence. How did it make you feel? Was it exciting? Shocking? What did the movie show or not show to achieve this effect? Why is that important?
How is drug use depicted? Are drugs glamorized? Are there consequences? Why does that matter?
What is the relationship like between the grandfather and granddaughter in the movie? How is it similar to or dissimilar from your real-life relationships?
How does the movie get across its message of seatbelt safety?
Movie Details
- In theaters : July 28, 2023
- On DVD or streaming : August 29, 2023
- Cast : Ron Perlman , Emma Ho , Harvey Keitel
- Director : Jonathan Sobol
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Falling Forward Films
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Run time : 104 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : violence, language and some drug use
- Last updated : September 2, 2023
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