Charlie and Dan have been best friends and business partners for thirty years; their Manhattan public relations firm is on the verge of a huge business deal with a Japanese company. With two weeks to sew up the contract, Dan gets a surprise: a woman he married on a drunken impulse nearly nine years before (annulled the next day) shows up to tell him he's the father of her twins, now seven, and she'll be in jail for 14 days for a political protest. Dan volunteers to keep the tykes, although he's uptight and clueless. With Charlie's help is there any way they can be dad and uncle, meet the kids' expectations, and still land the account?
Acting
Williams' physical comedy saves weak script moments.
Practical Effects
Puppeteer-controlled kids for 'safe' slapstick stunts.
Director
Walt Becker
John Travolta
Charlie
Robin Williams
Dan
Kelly Preston
Vicki
Conner Rayburn
Zach
Ella Bleu Travolta
Emily
Lori Loughlin
Amanda
Seth Green
Ralph White
Bernie Mac
Jimmy Lunchbox
Matt Dillon
Yancy Devlin
Dax Shepard
Gary - Child Proofer #1
Luis Guzmán
Nick - Child Proofer #2
Ann-Margret
Martha
Rita Wilson
Gloria Lawrence
Justin Long
Troop Leader Adam
Amy Sedaris
Condo Woman
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This was the only film where John Travolta and Kelly Preston appeared together with their actual daughter Ella Bleu Travolta, playing—surprise—a daughter.
Released in the same year as Williams' darker World's Greatest Dad, making 2009 a fascinating study in his range—and Hollywood's confusion about how to use him.
US
