movie review like father

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Parents' guide to, like father.

Common Sense Says
Parents Say 4 Reviews
Kids Say 4 Reviews

Common Sense Media Review

Goodhearted but predictable father-daughter comedy; language

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 15+?

Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines "Harmony of the Seas" is featured. Other products:

Occasional profanity, including "f--k," "s--t," "c--k," "a--hole," "whore," "son

Alcohol is consumed in numerous scenes, sometimes to excess. Drunkenness impacts

Morning after -- a young woman emerges from stateroom of a man, admits that they

Any Positive Content?

Values promoted: forgiveness, importance of family, open communication, balancin

Heroine, introduced as an obsessed workaholic, becomes aware of other important

Parents need to know that Like Father is a comedy about a workaholic young woman who takes an unexpected vacation with her estranged father. Along with a mostly wholesome story, co-writer/director Lauren Miller Rogen has opted to use just enough profanity to make it iffy for younger teens. Audiences will hear: "f--k," "s--t," "p---y," "c--k," "whore," and "a--hole." In addition, characters drink adult beverages, often to excess; extreme drunkenness has a significant impact on the story's progression. Marijuana is smoked, as well. The heroine has an offscreen sexual liaison with a young man she meets onboard the ship. Afterward, she talks briefly about it and refers to her sexual history. Most of the film takes place onboard a cruise ship (audiences are "treated" to the extensive luxuries and activities of Royal Caribbean travelers). Messages about forgiveness, balancing one's work life with family, and the importance of honest communication are obvious but genially delivered. OK for mature teens.

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Products & Purchases

Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines "Harmony of the Seas" is featured. Other products: Apple Computer, Sceptre, Old Forester, The Knot.

Occasional profanity, including "f--k," "s--t," "c--k," "a--hole," "whore," "son of a bitch," "p---y."

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

Alcohol is consumed in numerous scenes, sometimes to excess. Drunkenness impacts the story. Marijuana is smoked.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

Sex, Romance & Nudity

Morning after -- a young woman emerges from stateroom of a man, admits that they had sex "three times." Briefly refers to her sexual past.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.

Positive Messages

Values promoted: forgiveness, importance of family, open communication, balancing work life with personal life.

Positive Role Models

Heroine, introduced as an obsessed workaholic, becomes aware of other important facets of life, including family, play, forgiveness, and compassion. Her dad has already learned similar lessons when he finds her. Gentle stereotypes: tablemates on cruise ship include one gay couple, one African American couple, one elderly Jewish couple.

Where to Watch

Videos and photos.

Like Father Movie: Harry Hamilton & Rachel Hamilton

Parent and Kid Reviews

Parents say (4)
Kids say (4)

Based on 4 parent reviews

Daughters process to healing herself by accidentally reuniting with absent father

What's the story.

In LIKE FATHER, Rachel Hamilton ( Kristen Bell) is so obsessed with her work as an advertising executive that she's left at the altar by a nice young man who simply wanted her undivided attention at their wedding. She's devastated but also unnerved when she gets a glimpse of her estranged father, Harry ( Kelsey Grammer ), among the guests. At home later, Rachel is drowning her sorrows in a bottle when Harry shows up at her apartment. "Just one drink," he insists over the intercom. In spite of her misgivings, Rachel accepts. That "one drink" leads to a long night of drunkenness and superficial reconnection. When a limo driver shows up in the early morning hours, Rachel is stunned. She's completely forgotten that her honeymoon was scheduled to begin. So unexpectedly, the hungover Rachel and Harry wake up to find themselves on a cruise ship together. The fun and games of the Caribbean cruise, a tryst with an eager young man ( Seth Rogen ), and a lot of forced father-daughter time may be just what was needed to make Rachel and Harry a family once again.

Is It Any Good?

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.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about the elements that make a movie "predictable." At what point in the story were you aware of how Like Father would end? In what ways did the journey that Rachel and Harry took keep you engaged? Was the film still enjoyable even though you knew how it would turn out?

"Product placement" means that products or services gain exposure by inclusion in filmed entertainment. How much exposure does Royal Caribbean get in Like Father ? Are you aware that the cruise line may have allowed filming on their ship as a means of marketing? Why is it important to be aware of such practices?

Why do you think the movie has so much swearing? What do you think the filmmakers were trying to convey about character and/or situation by using profanity? Did it help you get a handle on Rachel's nature? Did it seem integral to the intensity she exhibited in her work life? Would the film have worked as well without it? Why or why not?

Movie Details

On DVD or streaming : August 3, 2018
Cast : Kristen Bell , Kelsey Grammer , Seth Rogen
Director : Lauren Miller Rogen
Inclusion Information : Female directors, Female actors
Studio : Netflix
Genre : Comedy
Topics : Friendship
Run time : 98 minutes
MPAA rating : NR
Last updated : February 18, 2023

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

Suggest an Update

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Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

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Like Father Reviews

Though it takes some leaps of varying sizes, some of which we may not be inclined to fully believe, Like Father is an enjoyable film that brings genuine laughs...

Full Review | Original Score: B- | May 9, 2024

Neither karaoke with Come Sail Away... nor the appearance of Seth Rogen, keep [Like Father] from sinking. [Full review in Spanish]

Full Review | Sep 3, 2019

A huge misstep for co-writer and director Lauren Miller Rogen, who probably made this lazy vanity project so the cast and crew could get a free Caribbean vacation.

Full Review | Original Score: 1.5/5 | Dec 22, 2018

First-time filmmaker Miller generally does an effective job of drawing the viewer into the less-than-innovative storyline...

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | Dec 12, 2018

Wanders aimlessly for much of the 95-minute running time.

Full Review | Nov 1, 2018

Bell and Grammer's characters are so fuzzily rendered that they create no sparks when they butt heads in close quarters.

Full Review | Original Score: 1/4 | Aug 29, 2018

Like Father is not a radical or subversive family comedy, but the cast has good chemistry, the story moves along nicely, and the big, tear-jerking moments make an impact. By the end, it surpasses its modest ambitions.

Full Review | Aug 20, 2018

A smooth and steady viewing experience that comfortably relies on its cast and confident storytelling to make for an enjoyable cinematic getaway.

Full Review | Original Score: 7/10 | Aug 20, 2018

A dramady about the difficulties of shucking resentment.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Aug 16, 2018

Yes, this is familiar and predictable stuff for the most part, but it is well carried off for such undemanding fare (helped in no small part by Seth Rogen in a key supporting role).

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Aug 10, 2018

I've never seen Kristen Bell more unlikable and Kelsey Grammer more likable ever until this movie.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/10 | Aug 10, 2018

There is an element with early onset Alzheimer's, that in the film feels very wedged in like as the emotional underpinning that they are going for which explains certain people's actions.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/10 | Aug 10, 2018

This is a fantasy for kids who've been abandoned and for some regretful parents this is a fantasy film, because it doesn't play out like that, there's a lot of trauma that you can never get past.

Full Review | Original Score: 5/10 | Aug 10, 2018

It's not the kind of trip you'll return to multiple times, but still one that you'll look back on fondly.

Full Review | Aug 9, 2018

Once the setup is out of the way, Like Father settles into a nice rhythm.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Aug 9, 2018

Goodhearted but predictable father-daughter comedy; language

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Aug 7, 2018

Clearly, given its algorithmic knowledge, Netflix knows things we don't... It doesn't quite explain why a film so willing to check all the comedy-cliché boxes would commit to humor least of all, particularly given how well standard fare can do.

Full Review | Aug 7, 2018

These flaws might be more banal, if not more forgivable, had the film not seemingly had its own ulterior motive for entering your living room. Unfortunately, branding plays a far more significant role than any of the human supporting characters.

Full Review | Aug 6, 2018

I'm not sure who first had the idea to fit a father/daughter drama into a rom-com casing but the result is very weird and very unfulfilling.

It's fun watching this estranged daughter and father begin to know each other again through crazy cruise activities, especially karaoke.

Full Review | Aug 4, 2018

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‘like father’: film review.

Kelsey Grammer and Kristen Bell play an estranged father and daughter trying to reconnect on a cruise ship vacation in the Netflix comedy 'Like Father.'

By Frank Scheck

Frank Scheck

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Whether or not you’ll enjoy the new Netflix film starring Kristen Bell and Kelsey Grammer is questionable, but there seems little doubt that the two stars had a hell of a time making it. Playing an absent father and workaholic daughter who reconnect after decades apart, the two are seen swimming, sunning, playing miniature golf, eating lavish meals, participating in a game show and singing karaoke aboard a humongous Royal Caribbean cruise ship. It looks like they at least got a vacation out of Like Father ; the viewer, not so much.

There’s nary a cliche omitted in this overly familiar comedy/drama written and directed by Lauren Miller Rogen. Bell plays Rachel, the sort of driven executive who manages to sabotage her own wedding by compulsively staying on the phone dealing with a potato chip account. Even as her groom announces that he can no longer go through with the nuptials, Rachel spies her father Harry (Kelsey Grammer) embarrassedly leaving the church. It turns out that he abandoned Rachel and her mother 26 years earlier and hasn’t been in touch since.

Release date: Aug 03, 2018

Where to Catch Summer Outdoor Movie Screenings in L.A.

Bell can’t help but be appealing, even when her character behaves obnoxiously. Grammer is enough of a comic pro not to strain too hard, delivering a charmingly relaxed performance. And Rogen underplays as well, conveying a sweetness that he doesn’t often get to exhibit onscreen.

But despite the professionalism of the acting talent, Like Father feels distressingly retrograde. It’s as if Netflix, in their desire to supplant television in every form, has decided that they should deliver their own versions of the mediocre films offered up on basic cable.

Production: Lylas Pictures, Phiphen Pictures, aBard Production Distributor: Netflix Cast: Kristen Bell, Kelsey Grammer, Seth Rogen, Paul Downs, Zach Appelman, Leondard Ouzts, Blaire Brooks, Anthony Lacirua, Mary Looram, Brett Gelman Director/screenwriter: Lauren Miller Rogen Producers: Molly Conners, Amanda Bowers, Lauren Miller Rogen Executive producers: Vincent Morano, Erika Hampson Director of photography: Seamus Tierney Production designer: Charisse Cardenas Editor: Mollie Goldstein Composer: Roger Neill Costume designer: Brenda Abbandandolo Casting: Mary Vernieu, Jessica Kelly

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Film Review
LIKE FATHER
LIKE FATHER (2018)
Movie Review: “Like Father” has little to like
Movie Review: "Like Father" (2018)

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