Cheaper by the Dozen (2003)

I read the Galbraiths' story in Catholic grade school (heh heh). Steve Martin's "updated" remake is fairly fast-paced and funny even though its modern mindset occasionally misses the boat. Steve Martin and Bonnie Hunt play parents of 12 children who (by nature and necessity) multitask and leverage their attention spans to provide a loving home for their entire family. Nearly every child has enough lines and scenes that you get to know them -- which is part and parcel of being in a large family after all. (Oddly enough, the movie occasionally provides the parents with private time and quiet moments that make me wonder what happened to all those kids for five minutes at a crack.) Dad accepts a job offer and the family moves to a bigger city at the same time as Mom's book about raising a happy family is suddenly published and she's sent on a book tour. (Incidentally, book publishing takes one year, not one month, and book tours last much longer than two weeks.) Dad insists he can handle the family logistics plus his demanding job -- or call Mom home early -- and the meltdown begins. The movie seems to counter the couple's attitude that modern parents can "have it all" (12 kids and two careers) by setting up the mother's meager accomplishment as the straw that broke the camel's back. (Being away for less than a week is enough to sunder the family and sabotage Oprah's plans to tape a show in their home.) But it's really about the career choices both parents made, so the solution to their family's happiness and welfare must involve sacrifices for both Mom and Dad. This movie is consistently funny and the whole cast works well together. (Some may complain about Hilary Duff or spoon on Ashton Kutcher and Piper Perabo -- and they are fine in their roles -- but my favorites are the put-upon boy nicknamed FedEx and the impish girl who devises Rube Goldberg-like pranks.) Enjoy! 3.5 stars.