“There are twelve of you. Statistically, one of you has to behave.”
synopsis
Tom and Kate Baker have managed to keep their sprawling family of twelve children functioning through a mix of humor, chaos, and sheer parental stamina. But when Tom lands his dream job coaching college football and the family relocates, the delicate balance of the household begins to unravel. With twelve wildly different personalities under one roof, the Bakers discover that even the best-intentioned plans can quickly spiral into domestic mayhem.
pairs well with ...
mini-review
The film embraces the comedic mathematics of family life: the more children involved, the faster things fall apart. It relies heavily on slapstick and exaggerated sibling rivalries, but its charm comes from the affectionate recognition that large families operate under their own brand of organized chaos. The story doesn’t aim for subtlety; it’s a cheerful reminder that parenting is less about control than about survival.
A family movie night and a tolerance for loud kitchens.
Absurdist's Corner
When a family contains enough children to field its own baseball team, the real mystery isn’t the chaos — it’s how anyone ever finds matching socks.
fun facts
The film is loosely inspired by a real-life family of twelve whose parents wrote a humorous memoir in the 1940s.
Steve Martin improvised several comedic bits during filming.
The young cast reportedly spent time together off set to develop believable sibling chemistry.