Simple little film about dads. I thought it was going to be celebrity dads - Will Smith, Conan O'Brien, Neil Patrick Harris, etc. - but they get fairly little screen time as they make zingers about fatherhood. But the meat of the doc is a quintet of less famous dads in various circumstances around the world, talking about the joys and challenges of raising kids. There are a lot of tears in the movie, and dads (including this one) may find themselves tearing up a bit as well.
19 Reviews
A sweet & heartfelt look into the modern ages of fatherhood
justinemarquez-1909820 June 2020
I originally started to watch this documentary thinking it would be an insiders look into the fatherhood of various celebrities, and while there are quips from many I was surprised to find that the meat of the documentary was instead a look into various everyday fathers from around the world. All in all I would recommend watching this with an open heart, because there are moments where you can feel these men's love and pride for their children. I definitely got emotional at times (although this could've stemmed from lacking a good connection with my own dad) and felt happy for my own future in parenthood.
Good mix of dads
zoesamhap27 June 2020
Yes, there are stars and Hollywood people but there are also "real" dads, some of whom have gone through terrible things for themselves or for their children. They make themselves vulnerable and it doesn't make them less. Whether the Hollywood dads have the means to have ten nannies and housekeepers and so on, they are still stating the fears you'd think most parents have - to raise good kids, to raise kids in safety and all the fears and uncertainties that come with being a parent.
Showed it to my teens. My favorite part was the teenage section.
The Howard's
ozomatfan12 January 2021
Bryce has made an amazing documentary. I really felt every moment of this amazing view into peoples lives. It has given me inspiration, and open my mind to the possibilities of what could be. I definitely suggest this for any one that is going to be having children soon. But also for anybody that has doubts about parenting. A lot of love in this documentary, and you get to see views from all around the world. Thank you Bryce, and thank you Howard family for letting us into your lives.
A really sweet and tender doc.
SnobReviews29 June 2020
"Dads" is a hilarious, heart warming and at times deeply affecting film that explores and salutes fathers all over the world.
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In this documentary, actress and director Bryce Dallas Howard teams up with her father, Ron Howard, to explore fatherhood through anecdotes from funnymen such as Will Smith, Jimmy Fallon, Neil Patrick Harris, and everyday dads.
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I really loved this doc more than I expected to. It's absolutely fantastic that Bryce Dallas Howard focused on a subject that not many people do and shined a light on all dads out there. I think that as much as our Moms are the ones who take the spotlight respectively of course, Dads need love too. This film had me laughing and even got me choked up because dads really do play important role in our lives. An entertaining watch.
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Fatherhood it's Fatherhood
arytchicomojava20 June 2020
How does this film not have AT LEAST an 8½ average???
mstarkrn7223 July 2021
Beautifully done! This doc had such wonderful, tender moments that made me wish that I'd been raised by the fathers featured in it. I absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the diversity of families and representation of fathers/fatherhood from so many backgrounds & cultures. BRAVA, Young Howard! ⭐
Master gardeners
tom113827 June 2020
It has been said before that parenting is inventing your own way of doing as you go along. And this loving documentary echoes that. But it goes far beyond that, and is showing some very open and vulnerable well known and unknown dads talk about their experiences and coping with challenges. Will Smith's allegory of the gardener spoke to me most, as a bit of wisdom that I could agree with and aim for.
Rating skewed by one low review
allie70120 October 2021
" One reviewer trashed the movie because they thought it was honoring fathers at the expense of mothers. That is like saying a documentary about England is bad because it doesn't discuss France. This is a movie born out of love and it shows. Yes, it had an over-abundance of rich articulate celebrities, but the segments spotlighting authentic, struggling fathers were the real heart of the film. I've never seen so many men crying in one place and I must admit, I shed a few tears myself. When one little guy who had undergone several heart surgeries and therapies told his Dad, "I love you with all my fixed-up heart," my heart grew 2 sizes, just like the Grinch.
The Dad-Vinci Code
southdavid18 November 2020
Another documentary on Apple Plus, "Dads" is the directorial debut of Bryce Dallas-Howard.
Starting with her own father, Bryce Dallas-Howard interviews a number of actors and comedians about their thoughts and feelings on being a father. Those soundbite style interviews intersperse with several longer stories from various fathers around the world, about their lives and how parenthood has changed them.
I am a dad, so some aspects of the films did really speak to me - especially the stories about the difficult birth and having children with complex needs, as I've experienced both of those. I liked the soundbite interviews, the humorous anecdotes and the moments of touching honesty when the various celebrities broke down a little. It was nice to see some family stuff related to the Howards, the (slightly weird) videos they made for each child and the interviews with her brother as he was preparing to become a dad for the first time. There was a diverse range of situations from the different subjects, but perhaps showing a universal theme of it being time for Dad's to take a more central role in bringing up children and that there shouldn't be any more taboos about that situation.
I say all this, because ultimately, I felt that as a documentary it was a bit slight. It was charming, and funny but didn't really tell me anything I didn't already know. I've no regrets about watching it, but I can't imagine I'll ever have the inclination to watch it again.
Starting with her own father, Bryce Dallas-Howard interviews a number of actors and comedians about their thoughts and feelings on being a father. Those soundbite style interviews intersperse with several longer stories from various fathers around the world, about their lives and how parenthood has changed them.
I am a dad, so some aspects of the films did really speak to me - especially the stories about the difficult birth and having children with complex needs, as I've experienced both of those. I liked the soundbite interviews, the humorous anecdotes and the moments of touching honesty when the various celebrities broke down a little. It was nice to see some family stuff related to the Howards, the (slightly weird) videos they made for each child and the interviews with her brother as he was preparing to become a dad for the first time. There was a diverse range of situations from the different subjects, but perhaps showing a universal theme of it being time for Dad's to take a more central role in bringing up children and that there shouldn't be any more taboos about that situation.
I say all this, because ultimately, I felt that as a documentary it was a bit slight. It was charming, and funny but didn't really tell me anything I didn't already know. I've no regrets about watching it, but I can't imagine I'll ever have the inclination to watch it again.
Cute & hollow
jkindalife22 June 2020
This was heartwarming in its detailing the ups and downs (though mostly ups) of fatherhood. With the exception of two same sex couples, all the depicted fathers were biological. The inclusion of step-dads, single dads, and more family types might have provided a broader picture of fatherhood. Ultimately it was sweet and sentimental but left me wanting more substance.
Beautiful documentary!
mad-cam8221 June 2020
From beginning to end, I absolutely loved it! I cried happy and sad tears too! Definitely recommend it, it's not just celebrities as some post talk about, watch the whole thing! Bryce took both celebrity dads and non actors who are dada to tell their stories! Great work Bryce look forward to watching more pieces of work from you!
All of this was great!!!
kburbank4121 June 2020
Heartwarming
gbill-7487711 November 2020
Gentle and heartwarming. Studded with nuggets of wisdom about fatherhood, including several doled out by celebrities (Will Smith, Ron Howard, Hasan Minhaj, Jimmy Kimmel, and many others). Loved the diversity in the family stories Bryce Dallas Howard gives us, e.g. a gay couple, an unmarried couple, stay at home dads in Brazil and Japan, etc. It's also a deeply personal work, as she shows us her grandfather, father, and brother. The stories of sacrifice and connection are moving, and it's a reminder of the priorities in life.
Loved this line from Conan O'Brien, he cracks me up: "If I'm the expert, this whole project is in terrible trouble. So please tell me you've got better people coming in."
Loved this line from Conan O'Brien, he cracks me up: "If I'm the expert, this whole project is in terrible trouble. So please tell me you've got better people coming in."
Gentle and honest doc
momokalas11 August 2020
Honest and BEAUTIFUL
bhouston-industries12 February 2021
I had not heard of this film but I'm glad to have come across it! It answered a question I'd been asking since publishing a book about dads in 2018, "where does a dad get to have a voice"? I felt the film was beautifully done, capturing dads from different cultures and walks of life. It was humorous, authentic, distinctive and heartfelt. Bravo!
Modern Parenthood
karla-sarmiento20 June 2022
We're so used to watch two kind of fatherhood. Either an absent dad or a non role model dad from which we can not look up to.
Paternity allow man to fulfill their caregiver role. Parents support one another during the process of raising a child. Dads have an impact on their children life and said impact can overcome expectations.
This is a MUST watch.
Paternity allow man to fulfill their caregiver role. Parents support one another during the process of raising a child. Dads have an impact on their children life and said impact can overcome expectations.
This is a MUST watch.
A beautiful tribute to the modern, invested dad
emilyklasing16 June 2022
Involved, emotionally invested dads of today get their chance to shine in this beautiful documentary about fatherhood in the 21st century. The way the film is cut is super fun to watch - we are presented with unique, global stories of fathers from all walks of life, just doing the very best they can to love their children and care for them day in and day out.
I loved the style of this. It is soft, dare I say feminine, and really celebrates dads who participate as partners and guides (gardeners!) for their children. The perfect thing to view for Father's Day! The more involved, caring, compassionate dads we have, the more our society and culture can flourish. Well done Bryce Howard!
I loved the style of this. It is soft, dare I say feminine, and really celebrates dads who participate as partners and guides (gardeners!) for their children. The perfect thing to view for Father's Day! The more involved, caring, compassionate dads we have, the more our society and culture can flourish. Well done Bryce Howard!
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