STORYLINE: Starring record-shattering comedian Nate Bargatze in his first feature film, The Breadwinner stars Bargatze as salesman Nate Wilcox and Mandy Moore as his wife, Katie. To Nate and their three children, Katie is the ultimate mom – she manages their comically chaotic household with equal parts efficiency and love, and everything runs perfectly. But when Katie’s household invention leads to a once-in-a-lifetime deal on Shark Tank and takes her on a prolonged business trip, Nate has to figure out how to keep the house from (literally) falling apart. He and his kids soon learn that while he may not do it like mom, he can figure out how to do it his way. Welcome to the dad era. (IMDb)

   What’s the term for placing a character in a new and uncomfortable situation? Oh yeah, fish out of water.  There’s plenty of comedies to enjoy laughing out loud to watch.  Coming to America (1988), My Cousin Vinny (1992), and Hot Fuzz (2007) should get you started on a binge watch. The. 2026 release, The Breadwinner, is a fish out water comedy, designed to have family film goers laughing in the cinena aisles. 

    There is a duality to family features, that the filmmakers strive to achieve.  The jokes need to play to a range of all ages. These can include sight gags, or one liners, but a family comedy needs to have jokes for the entire family, while maintaining an aged appropriate rating.  The film must not condescend to young viewers, solely because they are young viewers. Shtrk (2001) is a great example of a family comedy that played well for the entire family.  I still laugh at it. 

    The Breadwinner primarily target it’s humor towards its younger audience attendees. Even then, the humor seems recycled bits from other movies. That were only mediocre start.

   The same can be said for the story of the film. Then again, there are only so many ways to tell the fish out of water story, especially as a family friendly comedy, an entertaining one.  Hands down, Kindergarden Cop (1990) did it the best.

    The Breadwinner is a comedy for the whole family, with humor that missed the mark in a storyline that does the same.

    Until next time, I’ll see you at the movies!