Mr. Birthday movie review

MOVIE TITLE: Mr. Birthday

This family-friendly movie is currently available on Video on Demand at sites like Amazon, iTunes, Vudu, Spectrum, and Cox.

If you’d like a free 30-day trial on Amazon Prime, click on this link!

RATING: G

LENGTH: 1 hour 33 minutes

IN A NUTSHELL:

While working his maintenance job at an upscale hotel, Barry encounters the mysterious Mr. Jay. He introduces Barry to the International Birthday Network, an agency that helps children across the globe suffering from miserable birthdays.

The sugary-sweet movie was written by Matthew Luke Tucci who based the film on a character he created about 25 years ago when he was a little boy. He had always wanted to bring this character to life, so he’s thrilled this movie did just that. The film is directed by Dan Hunter who also brought us the 2020 kid’s movie Agent Toby Barks

THINGS I LIKED:

Jason London is great as a fun single father (Barry) who tries his hardest. His daughter tells him he’s “kind of a goof” which is exactly what makes him so endearing. I just wished he would comb his hair. I loved his playful personality and the acting felt very natural and effortless.
You might recognize Eric Roberts as one of the hotel’s residents where Barry lives and works. Eric Roberts is the older brother of famous Academy Award winner Julia Roberts. He also earned an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the 1985 movie Runaway Train
The comedy also stars Anna Marie Dobbins, Charlotte Ciano, Fred Sullivan, Tanya Melendez Lynch, and Mike Messier.
The music by Matthew Luke Tucci is whimsical and perky.
The birthday party themes that are shown in a montage are pretty cute.
The cast looks like real people and not like actors.
There’s a cute twist.
The father gives pretty good advice about how to handle bullies and mean kids.
None of the content is objectionable or offensive. It really is a clean, family-friendly flick.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

The description of the movie from the studio states that this takes place in a hotel, but all of the people there appeared to be long-term residents living there. So, was it a hotel or an apartment building?
This may sound odd, but it might confuse young children that Mr. J looks like Santa Claus.
All of the kids are adorable. I’m sure, with time, their acting skills will improve.
There are some really bad acting moments.
Low production quality
Some of the dialogue is a bit cliched and stiffly delivered.
Some of the color and lighting seem off, as if the movie were made in the 1970s.
The “global” charity is seen as only doing birthday parties a few blocks away from the hotel or at least close enough that Barry can drive a buggy-type of vehicle powered by his own legs.

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

You see a dog pee on a floor
Potty humor and farting
Bullying is portrayed by children and adults
No profanity.
An older gentleman constantly hits on a young woman

THEMES:

Bullying
Friendship and “real” friends
Dishonesty
Hard work
Positive attitude
Kindness
Service to others
Father/daughter relationship
Birthdays and birthday parties

FUNNY LINES:

“Woah! Nice lung capacity. What, are you a trumpet player now?” – Barry (Jason London)
“I think we’ve been birthday bamboozled.” – Barry (Jason London)