Cheaper by the Dozen Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A couple exploits their twelve children for fame, fortune, and mild slapstick comedy, then suddenly feels bad about it.

🍿 Cheaper by the Dozen: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Baker Family

Tom and Kate Baker are the parents of twelve children, ranging in age from toddler to young adult. They live a chaotic but loving life in a small town in Illinois, where Tom coaches football at the local college. Kate has written a book about their experiences raising such a large family. The Bakers face a major upheaval when Tom is offered his dream job coaching at his alma mater in Evanston, a suburb of Chicago. This means moving the entire family, which is met with resistance from the children who are happy with their lives as they are.

Career Opportunities and Family Uproot

Simultaneously, Kate’s book gets a publishing deal, launching her on a national book tour. This leaves Tom in charge of the children while starting his demanding new job. The move to Evanston proves difficult. The children struggle to adjust to their new schools and social environments, while Tom finds it challenging to balance his coaching responsibilities with the demands of a large family. The family is also impacted by Kate’s travel demands, leading to some chaos and comical mishaps.

Chaos and Crisis

With Kate away, Tom enlists the help of his eldest daughter, Nora, and her self-absorbed actor boyfriend, Hank. The younger children dislike Hank, leading to a series of pranks and mishaps. A particularly disastrous night leaves Tom overwhelmed and struggling to cope. As the situation worsens, Charlie, the oldest son, feels alienated and ultimately quits the football team. Tom and Kate struggle to maintain a loving family in the face of so much chaos.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Tom Baker (Steve Martin): The father of twelve who struggles to balance his new coaching job with his increasingly chaotic home life.
• Kate Baker (Bonnie Hunt): The mother of twelve whose book tour complicates the family’s adjustment to their new life.
• Lorraine Baker (Hilary Duff): The fashion-conscious teenage daughter who initially embraces the move but later realizes the importance of family.
• Charlie Baker (Tom Welling): The eldest son who resents the family’s move and struggles to adapt to his new school.
• Mark Baker (Forrest Landis): The sensitive, often overlooked middle child who feels like an outcast within his large family.
• Nora Baker (Piper Perabo): The eldest daughter whose relationship with her self-absorbed boyfriend highlights the importance of family connection.
• Hank (Ashton Kutcher): Nora’s self-absorbed, actor boyfriend who is not keen on children.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Tom: “We’re not a democracy, we’re a family.” – Tom says this to his children when they try to vote on important decisions, emphasizing his role as the head of the household.
• Kate: “It’s just, when things get crazy, you gotta hold on to what’s always been there.” – Kate says this to Tom, reflecting on the importance of family unity during times of chaos and change.
• Tom: “Sometimes, when you’re juggling a lot of things, you drop a few balls.” – Tom says this when admitting he’s struggling to balance his new job and taking care of the kids.
• Nora: “You know, you don’t have to be perfect to be a family.” – Nora tells this to her father, Tom, to reassure him that their family doesn’t need to meet a certain standard to be happy.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $40,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $138,614,544
• Worldwide Gross: $190,538,630

💥 Cheaper by the Dozen Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I remember seeing ‘Cheaper by the Dozen’ when I was a kid, and I thought it was the funniest thing ever! The scenes with the kids pranking Ashton Kutcher were hilarious, and the general chaos of having so many kids was something I couldn’t even imagine. Watching it now, as an adult, I can see that it’s pretty cheesy and predictable, but there’s still a nostalgic charm to it. Steve Martin and Bonnie Hunt are great, and the movie definitely captures the feeling of a big, loving family, even if it is a bit over the top.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Families with children”
  • “Fans of Steve Martin and Bonnie Hunt”
  • “Viewers looking for lighthearted comedies”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild crude humor”
  • “Some thematic elements involving teen relationships”
  • “Brief scenes of sibling rivalry and arguing”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “Despite Steve Martin and Bonnie Hunt’s best efforts, ‘Cheaper by the Dozen’ is overstuffed with too many underdeveloped characters and relies too heavily on predictable slapstick for laughs. The chaotic energy of the Baker family feels more exhausting than endearing.
• Roger Ebert: “Ebert praises Martin and Hunt’s likeability and comedic timing, but ultimately finds the movie’s plot too formulaic and the humor too broad. The numerous characters feel like caricatures and the film fails to fully explore the emotional depths of having such a large family.
• Variety: “Variety criticizes the film’s derivative plot and predictable gags but acknowledge Martin’s and Hunt’s talent in bringing some warmth to their roles. However, they suggest the film lacks originality and offers little beyond standard family-friendly fare.

Audience Reactions

Steve Martin and Bonnie Hunt are fantastic as the parents of twelve!: The cast is amazing, and the chaotic family dynamic is entertaining.

The movie made me laugh a lot and brought back good memories.: It’s a feel-good movie that’s perfect for a family movie night.

Overall Consensus: ‘Cheaper by the Dozen’ is a lighthearted family comedy that’s more nostalgic fun than cinematic masterpiece, but it’s got enough laughs and heart to keep you entertained.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Many of the child actors had little to no prior acting experience, adding to the realistic feel of a large, chaotic family.”
• “During filming, the cast and crew often referred to the set as ‘The Zoo’ due to the high energy and unpredictable nature of working with so many children.”
• “Ashton Kutcher’s role was uncredited to maintain an element of surprise for the audience.”

🖥️ How to Watch Cheaper by the Dozen?

Cheaper by the Dozen (2003) is widely available for streaming and purchase. You can find it on platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable and satellite options as well. Digital rentals and purchases are readily accessible through major online retailers.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Cheaper by the Dozen, you might like these similar films:

• Parenthood (1989): Deals with the challenges and joys of raising children, highlighting the chaos and love within family life.
• Yours, Mine and Ours (1968): Another comedy focusing on the comedic struggles of blending two large families together.
• Father of the Bride (1991): Also starring Steve Martin, this movie showcases family dynamics and the humorous challenges faced by parents.
• Instant Family (2018): A modern comedy about a couple who adopt three foster children, exploring the humorous and heartwarming aspects of instant parenthood.
• The Brady Bunch Movie (1995): A comedic take on a large, blended family navigating everyday life with over-the-top humor and heartwarming moments.

🛒 Cheaper by the Dozen Related Products

• Cheaper by the Dozen (DVD): Own the classic family comedy on DVD and relive the hilarious moments with the Baker family. A perfect addition to your movie collection.
• Cheaper by the Dozen (2003) – Digital Download: Instantly stream or download ‘Cheaper by the Dozen’ in HD quality. Enjoy the movie on your favorite devices anytime, anywhere.
• Cheaper by the Dozen Movie Poster: A high-quality movie poster featuring the entire Baker family. Perfect for decorating your home theater or bedroom. Great for collectors and fans.
• Funko Pop! Steve Martin as Tom Baker: A Funko Pop! figurine of Steve Martin as Tom Baker in ‘Cheaper by the Dozen’. This collectible figure is a must-have for fans and collectors.

🎧 Soundtrack

Cheaper by the Dozen features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “These Are Days” – performed by 10,000 Maniacs
• “What Christmas Should Be” – performed by Hilary Duff

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Cheaper by the dozen cast tiktok

Curious to see what the cast of ‘Cheaper by the Dozen’ is up to these days? Check out this video where they participate in TikTok trends, reminding us of their iconic roles and bringing a smile to our faces.

Cheaper By The Dozen Movies Booby Traps Montage (Music Video)

Get ready for some nostalgic laughs! This montage of booby traps from ‘Cheaper by the Dozen’ will have you reminiscing about the zany misadventures of this family and the chaos that ensued.

Taylor Lautner – 2005 Red Carpet (Cheaper By The Dozen 2 Premiere)

Ever wondered what Taylor Lautner was like before Twilight? Watch this red carpet interview from the premiere of ‘Cheaper by the Dozen 2’ and get a glimpse of his charming personality and hear his insights on the movie.

Scooby-Doo Promo with Cheaper by the Dozen Split-Screen Credits (Nick@Nite Version, 2017)

Get a glimpse of how ‘Cheaper by the Dozen’ was promoted on television with this vintage promo from Nick@Nite. It’s a fun way to relive the excitement and nostalgia surrounding the movie.

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