Daddy Day Care (2003)

Just when I thought I had failed the challenge today because I came down with a cold and slept most of the day away, I realized that in the few hours that I was awake I turned on the TV and Daddy Day Care was on. Now, this wasn’t an unconscious decision because nothing else was on at 2 in the afternoon, I actually rather like Daddy Day Care!

The movie is no cinematic masterpiece by any stretch, but it has a certain charm to it and Jeff Garlin completely saves it with his awesome comedic timing. I think this movie suffers a little in other peoples’ eyes from having Eddie Murphy as the lead role (since his movies really took a swan dive in recent years) but he isn’t fighting to steal the spotlight in this one and he really lets the other actors have their moment. 

My personal favorite thing about it is Steve Zahn’s character, Marvin. Marvin starts out as the mail guy in the advertising firm where Charlie (Eddie Murphy) and Phil (Jeff Garlin) got laid off. Marvin ends up as one of the daycare teachers by accident but turns out being great at bonding with the children. What I love about Marvin is that he is a nerd. One of the ways he bonds with the children is that one of the kids speaks Klingon and one of the kids refuses to speak anything else. That same passion that he has for Star Trek and comic books ends up being what saves the day both in the movie and for the movie.

 Like I said, it’s not a cinematic masterpiece, but it is a charming little movie and the actors have a lot of comedic chemistry. To me it has become one of those movies that I can quote around with my sister, almost to the ranks of Mean Girls. It’s definitely worth a watch if you want something lighthearted.