The 2022 film “Cheaper by the Dozen” ends with the Baker family finding unity and moving back to their old neighborhood. This decision symbolizes a fresh start and a return to their roots.
“Cheaper by the Dozen” (2022) is a family-comedy film directed by Gail Lerner. It stars Gabrielle Union and Zach Braff as Zoey and Paul Baker. This movie is the third adaptation of the 1948 novel by Frank Bunker Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey. The film premiered on March 16, 2022, and was released on Disney+ on March 18, 2022.
Plot Overview
The Bakers are a blended family. Paul Baker, a restaurant owner, and Zoey, a fashion designer, have nine children between them. Their family life is complicated by ex-spouses and the challenges of running a business. Paul and Zoey try to balance their careers with the demands of their large family. The film shows their struggles and triumphs as they navigate these complicatedities.
Key Themes
The movie explores several significant themes. Family unity stands out as a central theme. The film also delves into the challenges of blending families. It highlights the pursuit of personal and professional dreams. Issues like bullying, teenage rebellion, and co-parenting complicatedities are also addressed. These themes make the story relatable and engaging.
Family Dynamics and Resolution
The climax happens during DJ’s birthday party. Zoey’s ex-husband, Dom, arrives and sees the chaos. He demands full custody of his children, Deja and DJ. This confrontation brings out the family’s underlying issues. The children express their struggles, and the parents’ conflicting priorities come to light.
Paul arrives late to the party and finds himself in the middle of the argument. Deja, feeling overwhelmed, says everyone hates their current situation. Dom insists on taking Deja and DJ with him. However, the children refuse to leave. They want to stay with their blended family despite the challenges. This moment highlights the family’s desire to stick together.
Paul’s Stand Against Corporate Pressure
Paul faces pressure from his investors, Melanie and Michele. They want him to change his business direction. In a pivotal moment, Paul stands up to them. He refuses to become a “corporate sell-out”. He prioritizes his family’s values over financial gain. This decision marks a significant victory for Paul. It shows his commitment to his family’s well-being.
The Search for Seth
A subplot involves Cousin Seth. Feeling alienated and accused of theft, Seth runs away. The entire family rallies together to find him. They locate Seth in a rough part of town. They convince him to return home. This subplot reinforces the theme of family solidarity. It shows the family’s unity and commitment to each other.
Moving Back and New Beginnings
In the final scenes, the Bakers decide to move back to their old neighborhood. This move symbolizes a return to their roots and a fresh start. The children return to their previous school. Deja secures a scholarship, indicating a positive turn in their lives. The ex-spouses, Kate and Dom, also find new partners. This suggests a resolution to their past conflicts. It hints at a harmonious future for the extended family.
Critical Reception
The 2022 adaptation received mixed reviews. Some critics appreciated the film’s heartwarming moments. They liked the modern take on the classic story. Others found it formulaic and lacking in depth. Adam Lock from Ready Steady Cut described the film as “an unfunny and irritating remake”. He felt it failed to capture the charm of its predecessors.
Nell Minow from RogerEbert.com criticized the film for being “lazy and condescending”. She compared it unfavorably to the original book and earlier adaptations. Minow noted that the film’s attempts at humor often fell flat. She felt the meaningful moments lacked impact.
Conclusion
The ending of “Cheaper by the Dozen” (2022) ties up the film’s various plot threads. The Bakers’ decision to move back to their old neighborhood underscores the film’s themes of family unity and resilience. Despite its mixed critical reception, the film offers a contemporary take on a beloved story. It highlights the challenges and joys of managing a large, blended family.
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