WHO’S YOUR DADDY!

Eddie Murphy has had tons of set backs over the years. He’s been in a few films that seem more like they were made by yes men than made by people who want to see him be funny. You know what I mean, the type where his buddies say “Oh Eddie you are so funny” even when he isn’t. Fortunately that trend has begun to change and this movie helps that transition.

The story focuses around Murphy as a father who works in an advertising agency. Assigned the task of making veggie flavored cereal popular with kids, his team doesn’t fare well. So much so that the campaign (which he said would fail) is dropped as is the team.

Out of work, fortunately his wife has just rejoined the work force so their bills are paid but barely. In reflecting on the costs of his son’s day care, he gets an idea. How difficult can it be to deal with taking care of kids all day and get paid to do so?

Along with his also fired buddy, Murphy starts up Daddy Day Care. At first with mothers questioning the ability or motives of a man watching children, the endorsement of a lady friend ends up in his getting enough kids to get going.

On day one, the rude awakening begins. Everything from discovering that yes, it can be dangerous to allow children to eat sugar filled snacks, to how much damage one child not properly potty trained can inflict is discovered. By days end, Murphy is exhausted and has a new respect for mommies everywhere.

The pair eventually gets the hang of things and it all comes together. As that happens, it begins to affect the competition, a rigidly run near Nazi prep school for the day care set run by Angelica Huston. With the prospect of losing customers, she sicks the licensing board on Daddy Day Care.

This is only the first volley fired as Murphy rises to the challenge. The struggle goes back and forth as parents trust him and move from Huston’s establishment. A final showdown is inevitable and the laughs along the way, as well as several touching moments between Murphy and the kids (as well as with his own son) make this movie not only fun but family entertainment as well.

While some critics lashed out at this film, I found it to be laugh filled as well as offering a perspective on male parenting that is rarely seen these days. By films end you actually find that these kids aren’t all that bad. And neither is Murphy’s career. Let’s hope it keeps going for a long time.