Daddy's Home (2015)

Brad Whitaker is a radio host trying to get his stepchildren to love him, and call him Dad. But his plans turn upside down when their biological father, Dusty Mayron, returns.

Director:

Sean Anders

Writers:

Brian Burns (screenplay), Sean Anders (screenplay)

Stars:

Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, Linda Cardellini

1 win & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Will Ferrell	...	Brad Whitaker
Mark Wahlberg	...	Dusty Mayron
Linda Cardellini	...	Sara
Thomas Haden Church	...	Leo Holt
Scarlett Estevez	...	Megan
Owen Vaccaro	...	Dylan (as Owen Wilder Vaccaro)
Bobby Cannavale	...	Dr. Francisco
Hannibal Buress	...	Griff
Bill Burr	...	Jerry (Bully's Dad)
Jamie Denbo	...	Doris
Mark L. Young	...	Dental Hygienist
Matthew Paul Martinez	...	Pete (Recording Engineer)
Dave Davis	...	Panda Singer #1
James Harlon Palmer	...	Panda Singer #2
Riley Ann Corbin	...	Hello Kitty Girl

Storyline

Stepfather Brad Whitaker is hoping for his stepchildren to love him and treat him like a dad. All is going well until the biological father, Dusty Mayron, shows up, then everything takes a toll. His stepchildren start putting him second and their father first, and now Dusty will have to learn that being a good dad is about pains and struggles. Brad will also experience once again what it's like to be a stepdad.

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Plot Keywords:

step dad | dad | biological father | stepfather | voice over narration | 

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Taglines:

The gloves are off this Boxing Day

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Genres:

Comedy | Family

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for thematic elements, crude and suggestive content, and for language

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 December 2015 (USA)

Also Known As:

World's Greatest Brad

Filming Locations:

Metairie, Louisiana, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$50,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$38,740,203, 27 December 2015, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$150,357,137

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$240,360,392

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures, Red Granite Pictures, Gary Sanchez Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital Datasat Dolby Atmos

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The half court shot was recorded live during half-time.

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Goofs

When Dusty is giving instructions to his son Dylan after Brad has hit the powerlines, he tells him to place two fingers just below the ear to check for a pulse. The proper location to check for a pulse is on the carotid artery, which has one branch located on on the neck, on either side of the trachea, approximately one inch below the jaw.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Brad Whitaker: [narrating] Here's a question for you. What do kids need more, a father or a dad? What's the difference? The way I see it, darn near anyone can be a father...
[video of copulating rhinos]
Brad Whitaker: ... but not everyone has the patience or the devotion to be a dad. As for me, I've always wanted to be a dad. Let me tell you, I love it! Yeah!
[driving]
Brad Whitaker: And I love my Ford Flex. It treats me to a smooth ride, and you know what? It didn't break the bank. Room enough for the whole family.
[...]

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Connections

References Mary Tyler Moore (1970)

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Soundtracks

Come and Get It
Written by Eli 'Paperboy' Reed (as Eli Husock), Michael Montgomery, Ryan Spraker, and Herschel Dwellingham
Arranged by Herschel Dwellingham
Performed by Eli 'Paperboy' Reed
Courtesy of Capitol Records, LLC under license from Universal Music Enterprises

User Reviews

Some giggles, but pretty formulaic

I have to confess that for the most part, Will Ferrell kind of mystifies me; I don't see what makes him so popular with the mass public. Still, I have to confess that in "Daddy's Home", he tones it down so he isn't strident like he is in other movies. In fact, he does end up having some charm and likability, and paired up with Mark Wahlberg (another actor who usually doesn't impress me), some genuine chemistry is generated. Also, director Sean Anders wisely lessens the raunch factor that is usually high in in the two stars' other movie; there is an easy-going feeling instead that is quite palatable, a feeling that does sneak up on you and does tickle your funny bone on occasion. However, in the end there are not quite enough laughs to make me give it a recommendation. As I said in my summary line, the movie is quite formulaic; you can really predict what will happen before it actually happens throughout. Since there are no surprises, it becomes very difficult for the movie to pull the rug out under the audience and generate laughs. There are many comedies that are much worse than this, I admit, but in the end it's only a movie to watch when something else in your home is asking for your primary attention.