Cheaper by the Dozen was first introduced to the world in 1948 as a semi-autobiographical novel written by Frank Bunker Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey. The novel recounts the authors’ childhood lives growing up in a household of 12 children and all the love and chaos that comes with it. The bestselling book was later adapted into a feature film by Twentieth Century Fox in 1950 and followed up by the sequel, Belles on Their Toes (1950), which was adapted as a 1952 film. It then saw further success with the Steve Martin 2003 adaptation, followed by the 2005 sequel.
Now in this all-new Disney+ movie, audiences are introduced to this refreshing tale that redefines the meaning of what family looks like while still retaining the beauty and appeal that made fans fall in love with the franchise all those years ago. Cheaper by the Dozen is a timeless classic that continues to appeal to people because everyone can relate to belonging to a family and the shared experiences of finding your tribe.
In celebration of this heartwarming and funny story about the raucous exploits of a blended family of 12, the Bakers, as they navigate a hectic home life and social issues while simultaneously managing the family’s restaurant; Disney held a press conference with Gabrielle Union (Zoey Baker), Zach Braff (Paul Baker), Erika Christensen (Kate), Timon Tyler Durrett (Dom Clayton) and Gail Lerner (Director) to learn more about modernizing a classic and its timeless appeal.
For Erika, “As a parent of two children, I just love the fact it’s originally based on a true story and then the extreme as having 10 kids and seeing that actually work is insane. It makes me feel like two kids is fine, I have nothing to complain about. There’s so much more to this film than that. But as far as why it lives on, I think. Everyone has a family,” she said.
Gabrielle loved the relatability of the movie, since “everyone is born into some sort of family. Whether you love them or you try to escape from them, you’re born into a family. So, literally, everyone in the world can relate to family drama, family fun, and family problem-solving. And more and more, you see blended families having to co-parent [and there are] multi-generational families all living under one roof. This is the norm. I believe when folks started using the word ‘traditional,’ I think that’s just meant to shame folks for surviving, basically. This is a movie that calls all families in. And says, you know what? You will find someone that you can relate to, that looks like you, that feels like your family somewhere in this movie. What better time than now?”
While Zach is not a parent, the many themes of the movie attracted him to the script. People often struggle with work life balance and, as a parent, those struggles are more complex when you add children into the mix. People often question how their actions reflect upon them as a parent, but this movie perfectly understands these struggles in a humorous and grounded way.
“So many parents, I’m not a parent, but I know so many parents can relate to the balance of work and being a parent. In Cheaper by the Dozen, one of the reasons why people relate to it is it takes it to the extreme. Obviously, it’s a heightened reality [even though] it actually did occur for the family who wrote the book. Every parent that is going ‘how do I balance following my dream with being a good parent and do both at the same time?’ The film with humor says, well, ‘imagine you had 10.’
For Timon, who comes from a family of ten, he saw himself and his childhood represented in Cheaper by the Dozen. “I come from a large family. At one point, there were 10 of us in the house. I have five brothers; two sisters and I can relate to the chaos when I was younger, and my older siblings were like parents when mom and dad were at work and all the rippin’ and runnin’ around and everything. So, when working on the film, it was nostalgic for me. I remember doing that. I remember that kind of stuff. So, it was really fun for me. This film touched me in a way that’s very personal because, in some ways, I look back on the chaos, and that was some of the chaos, it was the fun stuff. It really touches home with me.”
In the story, Paul (Zach Braff) and Zoey Baker (Gabrielle Union) are raising a full house of nine young children. Zoey’s kids from a previous marriage, Deja (Journee Brown) and DJ (Andre Robinson), are entertaining their respective athletic and artistic pursuits. Paul’s kids from his prior marriage, Ella (Kylie Rogers), Harley (Caylee Blosenski) and godson-turned-son Haresh (Aryan Simhadri), are planning to be a fashion influencer, punk rock star and entertainment entrepreneur.
Then there’s the married couple’s four young children — fraternal twins Luna (Mykal-Michelle Harris) and Luca (Leo Abelo Perry) and identical twins Bailey (Christian Cote) and Bronx (Sebastian Cote) — who are focused on causing chaos and destruction wherever they go. Since combining their families, the couple has stood the test of time that has only fortified their strength and love for each other and their family; countless storms. No matter the financial setbacks to unexpected family growth with Paul’s ex-wife Kate (Erika Christensen) and Zoey’s football superstar ex-hubby Dom (Timon Kyle Durrett).
The beauty of Cheaper by the Dozen is the inclusion of the exes, who are fully fleshed out characters. Instead of being villains or Zoe and Paul holding a grudge against them, they are incorporated effortlessly into the family with care and love from all.
Gail loved this new dynamic to explore and that it sent a positive message for kids of divorce. Not everything has to be a battle and “from a kid’s point of view, the idea of having my friends, my playmates, just a house full of people who have your back, who love you, who support you, I think, especially for kids right now, the world can be a hard place and that home is your soft landing, just makes this movie such a fun place to live.”
Kate is also there to support the family, accepting all the kids into her life. She’s there to babysit and provide stability and balance in the kids’ lives without overstepping her boundaries or causing conflict in Baker’s life. Erika found this inclusion refreshing, not just from a parent’s perspective but for children from blended families.
“My character fits in anywhere she can get. She’s just there all the time, which I think is really great. It’s a different take, but on the personal experience thing. I actually have so many friends that have this sort of a situation where they’re making it work with multiple parents involved. It makes me so happy. It just gives me so much hope to see that the kids come first. So, we put everything else aside and make it work and remember the things that made us love each other in the first place and find humor in all the ways we disagree. That’s clearly what’s happening with this dynamic. It makes perfect sense that Kate and Paul are no longer married. When you see them, you’re like, “Oh, they were lovely, but also, now look at them. It’s hilarious the way it doesn’t quite work.”
As Zoe’s first husband and the biological father of Deja and DJ, their marriage fell apart because Dom’s career as a football player made Zoe feel unimportant and, instead of playing second fiddle to his career obligations, they amicably parted ways. His career also took him away from his children, but his love for them never changed.
“With Dom, I think it’s representative of certain situations in my family. I have a large family. You have breakups and then have exes and step-whatever-parents. Dom’s character, [is] this larger-than-life rich guy who has to humble himself and understand he’s not the only man in town. I like that the film touches on a level of acceptance and humility that I think is representative of what a lot of people should get an understanding of. Sometimes the ego can be fragile and hurt. But then you see there are certain scenes that Zach and I have that are very personal to me because of things that I’ve witnessed in my family [and] in my life.”
“Dom represents an aspect of the family dynamic I think some people are starting to miss, because in this world where everything is about me, me, me [and] in certain situations, it’s not always about you; and Dom is representative of that maturation, but also that humility that comes along with it. I liked that Dom wasn’t just this jerk that comes in being a jerk. He’s like, ‘okay, I see it. I may have to reign it back a little bit and see that Zoey and Paul are really doing a great job.'”
Zach agreed and praised the writers for digging deep with how they brought Dom to life and not creating stereotypes. “It would’ve been easy for Kenya Barris, who wrote it and Gail, to make him just a one-note sort of bad guy, but I think it makes him more multi-dimensional and so much more interesting when it’s not just like a one-note ex-husband who’s jerk.”
Cheaper by the Dozen is on Disney+. To learn more about Cheaper by the Dozen, check out our interview with Timon Tyler Durrett to learn more about how Dom’s evolution impacts his kids’ lives.
