Cheaper by the Dozen

First it was a best-selling autobiographical book by Frank and Ernestine Gilbreth in the 1940s. Then their chauvinistic ways of raising 12 kids in a patriarchal society were transferred to the big screen in 1950 for Clifton Webb and Myrna Loy to play the efficiency expert and psychologist respectively. Now 53 years later, director Shawn Levy creates this contemporary re-make with the same sexist propaganda, but with an extra dose of a sitcom feel and a need for stress-relief medication. Steve Martin stars in yet another Father Knows Best type of role as Daddy Dearest to chaos personified in 12 different ways. Bonnie Hunt co-stars as his wife with an entertaining subtle sense of humor who goes on a two-week book tour and leaves her husband alone to play Mr. Mom. Mayhem instantly ensues with hockey sticks, darts and kids flying through the air, leaving Martin’s character a stressed-out wreck yearning for his wife to cease her professional aspirations and return home. If you can put aside the blatant depiction of antiquated gender roles, then you will enjoy this fun-filled romp. However, that’s a big "if."