Tuesday, January 12, 2016
Daddy's Home Adoption Movie Review
When Brad married Sara, he was hopeful that he would become
a dad to Sara’s two children, Megan and Dylan. Although Megan and Dylan were
initially opposed to Brad, they have started to accept him. Just as Brad is
starting to feel confident in his role, the family receives a call from Dusty,
the children’s father. He is coming back to town. The kids are excited, Brad is
hopeful, and Sara is anxious. Dusty quickly makes it clear that he has come
back to reclaim his family.
The Adoption
Connection
Brad has wanted to be a dad for years, but is unable to
father children because of a medical complication. Through his marriage to
Sara, he has become a dad, and has earned the love and trust of Megan and Dylan
with his dependable love. His relationship is challenged when Dusty comes back
on the scene. Although this is not an adoption story, some adoptive parents
will resonate with
Brad’s long-held desire to be a parent, and some may cringe
at the harsh treatment of Brad’s infertility. Others (perhaps especially those
who’ve adopted from foster care) will recognize the struggle of identity
between Brad and Dusty.
Strong Points
The kids obviously love both Brad and Dusty, and Sara is
able to articulate that the kids have two dads.
This is kind of a spoiler alert – Brad and Dusty do learn to
work together and act as co-parents.
Brad is a dedicated dad to Megan and Dylan, and encourages Dusty
to be dedicated to them as well.
One usually untrustworthy character does get one thing
right, “The worst thing you can do is push out the biological (dad).”
Challenges
This film could be hard for viewers with unresolved grief around
infertility.
Megan initially expresses her displeasure at having Brad in her
life by drawing a series of pictures of him dying – and at least one in which
Megan is killing him. This doesn’t seem to concern anyone.
Dusty is very disrespectful towards Brad, and undermines
Brad around Megan and Dylan.
Weak Points
Brad expresses, “I’m not their real dad.” The word choice is
unfortunate.
Recommendations
Daddy’s Home isn’t a good choice
for kids, but it could be interesting for adoptive parents. As you watch it, explore
your thoughts about birth parents – what are they like? How can you interact
with them? How can they be involved in the life of the children? Notice which
parts of the film seem realistic and which seem overly fanciful.
Questions for
Discussion
What’s the difference between a father and a dad?
What makes someone a “real” dad?
How many people can be “dad” to the same kid?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment