While not as popular in Western literary canon, the basic conflict of “man vs baby” is timeless. Throw in a pregnancy, and you’ve got as primal a conflict as any. It wasn’t until the late 20th century that Hollywood realized the poignancy and marketability of this conflict.
I will profile my favourite movies about men and babies over two posts. It will be hard to find a top ten list that doesn’t include many of these films, mainly because there haven’t been a whole lot of them made.
These first five films focus on the pregnancy part of the whole conflict, and four of them are comedies. For some reason Hollywood thinks “man vs baby” is funny. Ask any new dad and you’ll learn that laughs are hard to come by. Then again, watching the turmoil of other fathers in a similar plight is funny to watch.
Father of the Bride Part II (1995)
Staring Steve Martin as both a soon-to-be father and grandfather, the funny and touching moments cover up a more serious and important theme that every father will eventually have to face: watching helplessly as your children become adults, get married and start families of their own. The loss of control over your children and their lessening dependency can be a tough pill to swallow.
One of my wife’s favourite movies, it’s got every required element of a 90′s family comedy – Steve Martin, hilarious minor characters, quirky in-laws, and a deep-seated conflict (“man vs baby”) that threatens to tear the family apart, but obviously doesn’t.
Nine Months (1995)
Hugh Grant plays Samuel Faulkner, a child psychiatrist and thus an expert at “man vs baby” as he endures it daily. When his girlfriend Rebecca (Julianne Moore) tells him she’s pregnant, he understandably freaks out.
Nine Months covers the other side of the man’s reaction to “Honey, I’m Pregnant“. Hugh Grant responds in all the wrong ways and it takes a lot of effort (and a few scares) for him to come around and assume responsibility.
A fun movie to watch near the beginning of the pregnancy, as she might be more understanding of your concern over the lifestyle changes (Doubtful. After all, she’s the one carrying the baby. So suck it up!).
Knocked Up (2007)
Much like Hugh Grant, Seth Rogen reacts to the news that his one-night-stand, Katherine Heigl, is pregnant in all the wrong ways. But his character, Ben Stone, is not nearly as redeemable and thus the transformation is all the more painful. But, it speaks to the more irrational side of a man’s reaction to the initial stages of pregnancy.
This movie is as much a fable as it is an hilarious comedy: Guys, always use protection. Ladies, be more careful who you sleep with. You might regret it nine months from now.
Junior (1994)
While pregnant men are now old news, this movie has a ton of funny elements. Danny Devito and Arnold Schwarzenegger are back again (remember Twins?). This time, they’re scientists who are conducting an experimental new drug that will all but eliminate the chance of a miscarriage. While it is an honourable pursuit, it also means that Arnold gets to be pregnant. Hilarity ensues as we watch tough-guy Arnold slowly be sapped of his testosterone as he approaches full term. You’ll have to see the rest of this classic to find out what happens.
Great movie to watch together and serves as a reminder of all the pain your woman goes through to carry your child. So, stop complaining and start supporting!
Enemy Mine (1985)
The premise is simple: a space battle leaves a human (Dennis Quaid) and an alien (Lou Gossett Jr.) stranded on a planet where they eventually encounter each other. This movie digs its teeth into the theme of “let’s put our differences aside and work together.” The most touching part (and most important to our discussion) is when we learn that Lou’s character is pregnant.
Yes, if you thought a pregnant Arnold Schwarzenegger was an interesting sight, try Lou Gossett Jr. in alien makeup.
What happens next is a surreal combination of Junior and Cast Away where Dennis and Lou learn to work together to survive while bringing a baby alien to full term. For obvious reasons (if the tone of the previous four movies didn’t already indicate), my wife stays away from this one. Watch it and let me know how it further helps you understand her just a little more.
Posted by Neil 
