“Fatherhood” arrives just in time for Father’s Day, in a heart-tugging package that presents star/producer Kevin Hart an opportunity to show off his dramatic acting chops. Not that there aren’t laughs in this sweetly spirited, conflict-light, fact-based Netflix movie, which comes with the added stamp of being presented by the Obamas’ Higher Ground Productions.
Devastated, Matt resists the pleas from Liz’s mother (Alfre Woodard, terrific as always) to let her take the baby back to Minnesota, insisting on raising her alone while trying to manage a demanding full-time job with minimal assistance from his two idiot buddies, played by Lil Rel Howery and Anthony Carrigan (“Barry”).
Adding to the complications, Matt meets a woman, also named Liz (DeWanda Wise, the star of Netflix’s update of “She’s Gotta Have It”), adding a third ball to his juggling act, while trying to remain focused on raising Maddy as his primary concern.
Other hurdles emerge, but there’s really not a whole lot more to it than that beyond watching Matt grow to meet the demands and quirks of parenting, and Hart — joining a long legacy of comedic actors who have expanded to more dramatic parts — exhibit emotional depths not regularly associated with the likes of his comedies or the “Jumanji” movies.
