Father Hood 1993

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The movie begins with Kevin Hart portraying Matthew Logelin, a man overwhelmed with grief as he speaks at the funeral of his beloved wife, Liz. His close friends, Lil Rel Howery as Jordan and Anthony Carrigan as Oscar, gather around to offer support during this devastating time. Also present is Matt’s devoted mother, Thedra Porter as Anna, who tries to comfort him, but despite their efforts, Matt remains utterly inconsolable. Not only is he mourning Liz’s passing, but he is now also faced with the enormous responsibility of raising their newborn daughter, Maddy. Many people, including Matt himself, question whether he is truly prepared to shoulder such a demanding role as a single parent.

The story then flashes back to a few months earlier, revealing the moment when Matt and Liz receive the news from their doctor that their baby will need to be delivered earlier than planned through a C-section. Fortunately, the procedure is successful, and their daughter, Maddy, is born healthy and strong. Liz’s parents, Alfre Woodard as Marion and Frankie Faison as Mike, come to visit, eager to meet their granddaughter. However, tragedy strikes when Liz begins to struggle to breathe, and her condition rapidly worsens. Although Matt tries to help by guiding Liz to another room, she suddenly collapses, and medical professionals rush in. It is later confirmed that Liz suffered a pulmonary embolism and tragically passed away, leaving Matt alone with their tiny, vulnerable daughter.

With Liz gone, Anna and Marion stay behind to help Matt care for Maddy, which proves challenging for all involved. They suggest that Matt consider moving back to Minnesota to be closer to Liz’s family and to find a more stable life for himself and Maddy. However, Matt, committed to establishing a new life in Los Angeles where he works at an advertising agency alongside his colleague Josh Lucas as Andy, is reluctant to leave his job and uproot his world. His boss, Paul Reiser as Howard, encourages him to take time off but respects his decision to work remotely, even if it means juggling Maddy’s care from home.

In the initial months after Liz’s death, Matt finds himself struggling profoundly. His days are filled with numerous sleepless nights, endless crying, diaper changes, and the constant challenge of figuring out how to care for a crying, unpredictable baby. Desperate, Matt resorts to bringing Maddy to work because he cannot find a babysitter and because Anna and Liz’s parents have returned to Minnesota. He tries various methods to soothe Maddy—rocking her, singing lullabies, and feeding her—yet nothing seems to work. After attending a support group for new parents, he discovers that white noise can help calm Maddy, a realization that becomes a turning point. Eventually, Matt begins to gain confidence by trying new techniques, like using a white noise app and embracing skin-to-skin contact.

Throughout this journey, Matt faces moments of frustration and humor, such as trying to juggle work meetings while Maddy cries in the background, which leads to understanding from his clients. During one meeting, when Maddy’s cries become too loud, Matt excuses himself, but the clients, including a few experienced parents, offer empathetic advice and encouragement. One of the lessons he absorbs is the importance of patience and persistence.

As time passes, Matt gradually adjusts to fatherhood. He hires a babysitter for an evening out with Jordan, and even though he’s still mourning Liz, he begins to find some moments of joy and connection with Maddy. He takes her to Minnesota to visit Liz’s parents, where they explore the home Liz grew up in and see her old room, lovingly preserved. Matt also interacts with Liz’s mother, Anna, expressing his admiration for Liz’s strength and intelligence, qualities he hopes Maddy will inherit.

As Maddy grows older, now around four or five, she begins to assert her personality. She attends a private school where she defies gender norms by wearing pants instead of skirts, and she often joins her dad in poker games with Jordan and Oscar. During a birthday party at the park, Matt meets a woman named DeWanda Wise as Lizzie, who happens to be an animator for the show “Lucky Jim”—a fact that surprises Matt because he thought it was a children’s program. Maddy, excited about her birthday, faces teasing at school for her clothing choices, which leads her to ask her dad for Batman underwear instead of traditional girls’ underwear.

Matt begins a relationship with Lizzie, and they share a memorable kiss after a fun day at the carnival. Maddy quickly warms up to Lizzie, who suggests she call her “Swan” to feel more comfortable. However, the budding relationship hits a bump when Matt, in a rush, leaves Maddy at school right after their date, leading to a mishap where Maddy gets a head injury during a scuffle with classmates. As she is rushed to the hospital for stitches, Matt’s trust in the local medical facility is questioned because it’s the same hospital where Liz died. Despite his emotional hesitation, he allows doctors to treat her, feeling guilty for neglecting her when she needed him most. This incident prompts him to break things off with Lizzie, recognizing how much he is still healing.

Meanwhile, Matt’s work life offers new opportunities, with his boss, Howard, proposing a transfer to Croatia. While planning to send Maddy to Minnesota to be with her grandparents during this period, Matt’s entire world is again challenged when Maddy expresses her desire to maintain her relationship with Liz’s parents and her connection to Liz’s memory. Marion, Liz’s mother, gently reminds Matt that Liz was strong and smart, just like Maddy, and hints at her wish for Maddy to spend more time with family. Recognizing that Maddy is happier with Liz’s side of the family, Matt decides to allow her to stay longer with Marion and Mike, even as he feels conflicted about the sacrifices involved.

Eventually, Matt, overwhelmed by the toll of single parenting and feeling that he is making too many mistakes, chooses to stay back from the Croatia job—realizing his true priority is his relationship with Maddy. His boss, Howard, applauds his decision and suggests that his dedication to family might lead to new opportunities in the future. As Matt sorts through Maddy’s belongings, he finds a special necklace Liz gave her, which Maddy had been desperately searching for, symbolizing their bond. This moment reaffirms his commitment to be there for her.

Despite plans to leave for Croatia, Matt’s love for Maddy pulls him back. He decides to stay, returning home to settle things with Lizzie, whom he apologizes to for how their relationship unraveled. Lizzie, understanding and forgiving, agrees to join Matt and Maddy for ice cream, signifying a new chapter of healing.

In the closing scenes, Matt brings Maddy back to her school as the year comes to an end, where she is now allowed to wear jeans, and he shows up in a skirt—emphasizing his dedication to supporting her individuality and happiness. Through grief, growth, and new love, this story underscores the resilience of a father who learns to cherish every moment with his daughter while honoring the memory of the woman he loved.