78 reviews
Easy watch
THREE MEN AND A BABY is one of the big beasts of Hollywood cinema of the 1980s. It's a simple story, one that's well executed by Leonard Nimoy in one of his forays behind the camera, and truth be told there's little to dislike about it as a film. It's basically Steve Guttenberg, Ted Danson, and Tom Selleck in an apartment looking after a baby.
You can guess the easy, laid back nature of the film in this film and it really is an easy viewing experience. Even a mildly suspenseful crime style sub-plot added to the proceedings never endangers the characters much or adds much in the way of real danger to the story. The three main actors are all charismatic and you can easily see why women would fall in love with them, although it's worth noting that the baby is the real scene stealer here.
THREE MEN AND A BABY frequently threatens to veer into cheesy sentimentality, particularly at the climax, but that it never becomes too overwhelming is testament to its success as a film.
You can guess the easy, laid back nature of the film in this film and it really is an easy viewing experience. Even a mildly suspenseful crime style sub-plot added to the proceedings never endangers the characters much or adds much in the way of real danger to the story. The three main actors are all charismatic and you can easily see why women would fall in love with them, although it's worth noting that the baby is the real scene stealer here.
THREE MEN AND A BABY frequently threatens to veer into cheesy sentimentality, particularly at the climax, but that it never becomes too overwhelming is testament to its success as a film.
- Leofwine_draca
- Jul 19, 2016
- Permalink
Fun comedy about three confirmed bachelor dads
This is a really cute, light hearted comedy. The plot may be pretty unrealistic, the ending kooky & unbelievable, and don't get your morals from it, but all in all...it's great fun to watch.
The story revolves around three carefree bachelors (Peter, Michael, and Jack) who share a New York City apartment. All are busy with their jobs, girlfriends, and social lives and have no intention of settling down anytime soon. While actor Jack is away shooting a movie, a baby is left outside their apartment door with a note indicating that this is Jack's child from an affair with his co star (though he's previously been unaware of this offspring's existence). His two room mates mistakenly believe that they are to deliver the baby to a couple of men who appear at the door asking for 'a package'. Right before they are about to hand the baby over, they realize these men are drug dealers. Then the bachelors have to contend with the baby's care as well as the drug dealers' demands for payment.
The three bachelors are played by famous name stars...Tom Sellick (Peter, the architect), Steve Guttenberg (Michael, the artist), and Ted Danson (Jack, the actor). Their considerable talents and playboyish charisma have a lot to do with this movie's success. The unlikely trio must learn to juggle the demands of baby care with their careers and social lives. It's really fun to watch them in all the stereotypical hilarious circumstances of diapering and baby tending. The men's paternal instincts come into play and the bachelors grow quite attached to the little tyke.
Directed by Leonard Nimoy (Spock, my favourite), this is a generally light, mindless, and entertaining movie that shows how these three 'hunks' & confirmed bachelors are won over by little baby Mary. Switch your brain into neutral and enjoy the ride.
The story revolves around three carefree bachelors (Peter, Michael, and Jack) who share a New York City apartment. All are busy with their jobs, girlfriends, and social lives and have no intention of settling down anytime soon. While actor Jack is away shooting a movie, a baby is left outside their apartment door with a note indicating that this is Jack's child from an affair with his co star (though he's previously been unaware of this offspring's existence). His two room mates mistakenly believe that they are to deliver the baby to a couple of men who appear at the door asking for 'a package'. Right before they are about to hand the baby over, they realize these men are drug dealers. Then the bachelors have to contend with the baby's care as well as the drug dealers' demands for payment.
The three bachelors are played by famous name stars...Tom Sellick (Peter, the architect), Steve Guttenberg (Michael, the artist), and Ted Danson (Jack, the actor). Their considerable talents and playboyish charisma have a lot to do with this movie's success. The unlikely trio must learn to juggle the demands of baby care with their careers and social lives. It's really fun to watch them in all the stereotypical hilarious circumstances of diapering and baby tending. The men's paternal instincts come into play and the bachelors grow quite attached to the little tyke.
Directed by Leonard Nimoy (Spock, my favourite), this is a generally light, mindless, and entertaining movie that shows how these three 'hunks' & confirmed bachelors are won over by little baby Mary. Switch your brain into neutral and enjoy the ride.
Bad bad bad bad boys, make us feel so good.
Three bachelors have their lives flipped upside down when little baby Mary is left on their doorstep.
A remake of successful 1985 French film Three Men And A Cradle, this Hollywood version took the box office by storm to make a domestic profit of over $155,000,000. It's not hard to see why really. Yes it looks a touch twee now, and the irritating drug-smuggling sub-plot (also in the original) grows more tiresome with subsequent revisits. Yet it has a frothy cleanness so lacking in many more similar big budgeted movies that came after it. Starring Tom Selleck, Ted Danson and Steve Guttenberg as the "no parenting skills" bachelors, Leonard Nimoy's film , (yes, Spock) sees quality interplay between the guys and some bona fide funny sequences as they in turn attempt to do right by Mary. Yep it's all telegraphed comedy, and the ending holds no surprises for anyone once Nancy Travis as Mary's mother comes back to claim the child. But come on folks, three beefy bachelors trying to change diapers and entertain a wailing baby has to be charming; surely? 7/10
A remake of successful 1985 French film Three Men And A Cradle, this Hollywood version took the box office by storm to make a domestic profit of over $155,000,000. It's not hard to see why really. Yes it looks a touch twee now, and the irritating drug-smuggling sub-plot (also in the original) grows more tiresome with subsequent revisits. Yet it has a frothy cleanness so lacking in many more similar big budgeted movies that came after it. Starring Tom Selleck, Ted Danson and Steve Guttenberg as the "no parenting skills" bachelors, Leonard Nimoy's film , (yes, Spock) sees quality interplay between the guys and some bona fide funny sequences as they in turn attempt to do right by Mary. Yep it's all telegraphed comedy, and the ending holds no surprises for anyone once Nancy Travis as Mary's mother comes back to claim the child. But come on folks, three beefy bachelors trying to change diapers and entertain a wailing baby has to be charming; surely? 7/10
- hitchcockthelegend
- Dec 31, 2009
- Permalink
three stars with some charms
Architect Peter Mitchell (Tom Selleck) has an ex in Rebecca (Margaret Colin). Michael Kellam (Steve Guttenberg) is a sensitive cartoonist. Jack Holden (Ted Danson) is a playboy actor. The three bachelors happily share a Manhattan penthouse with a long line of women coming in and out. Then somebody leaves a baby at their doorstep. A note indicates that Mary is the result of an union between Jack and Sylvia (Nancy Travis). Jack is away doing a TV movie. Peter and Michael are forced to deal with the baby. Jack has a package of drugs delivered to the apartment which is to be picked up by two men. Peter and Michael mistakenly assume the baby to be the package. Narcotics officer Sgt. Melkowitz (Philip Bosco) come to question the guys.
The combination of the three stars makes this work. Selleck is terrific. This has good comedy and some awkward stuff. I can do without the heroin. It takes the movie down a dark alley. The tone is completely wrong. I would have liked more with Rebecca and Sylvia doesn't need to be British. Overall, it's a mix bag with some laughs.
The combination of the three stars makes this work. Selleck is terrific. This has good comedy and some awkward stuff. I can do without the heroin. It takes the movie down a dark alley. The tone is completely wrong. I would have liked more with Rebecca and Sylvia doesn't need to be British. Overall, it's a mix bag with some laughs.
- SnoopyStyle
- Jan 25, 2016
- Permalink
Star-power highlights this film
Ted Danson, Tom Selleck, and Steve Guttenberg star in this light- hearted comedy about how 3 New York bachelors receive a big change in their lives after finding a baby on their doorstep. With humor that primarily surround the ordeal the 3 men have to contend with, 3 MEN AND A BABY relies on the chemistry the 3 main stars generate with
each other. At first they experience dismay with the infant; I mean, how can three unmarried men take care of a baby?! But soon enough the 3 guys fall in love with her. But with good measure, a drug- smuggling subplot is thrown in (probably to make it not look like your a typical family-oriented comedy). Nevertheless, Danson, Selleck, and Guttenberg shine. The same goes for the cute little baby Mary, and a
good direction from an unlikely director, Leonard "Mr. Spock" Nimoy himself!
each other. At first they experience dismay with the infant; I mean, how can three unmarried men take care of a baby?! But soon enough the 3 guys fall in love with her. But with good measure, a drug- smuggling subplot is thrown in (probably to make it not look like your a typical family-oriented comedy). Nevertheless, Danson, Selleck, and Guttenberg shine. The same goes for the cute little baby Mary, and a
good direction from an unlikely director, Leonard "Mr. Spock" Nimoy himself!
Leaves you smiling
Obviously not the greatest comedy of all time, and though generally charming, it has few laugh out loud moments. That said, the performances and the direction are all decent. And, most importantly, it leaves you with a great big smile on your face. You can't ask for too much more than that.
- jamesflamesburns
- Jan 31, 2020
- Permalink
Candy
"Three Men and a Baby" is one of those movies like "Ghostbusters" that you enjoy in spite of the fact that you realize that they are only made for money and are otherwise empty. I saw this about three times when it was new and laughed like a loon each time. A couple of days ago, I saw a dubbed version on Czech TV. This time, only a few of the jokes made me laugh such as the drug hiding jokes, the scenes of the three roomies being obviously outside of their element with the baby and that masterpiece of a scene where Tom Selleck tells off the pompous Hungarian celloist (I always loved that one). Otherwise, the only other entertainment value is provided by the "goofball with a heart of gold" appeal of the three lead actors and a cute little baby for the more sentimental viewers. One thing which struck me though was just how garishly the 80s the music and the fashions were ! When people think "good 1980s music", they usually think of new wave and some of the better hard rock stuff. The music here, though, is exactly the kind of sugary drivel that is best left forgotten. And the fashions, of course, make everyone look like either a "Miami Vice" fan or an ultra clean cut Young Republican. "Three Men and a Baby" is a genuine artifact in this sense.
Doordash Daughter
Two irresponsible adults had a night of sex. A little over a year later irresponsible adult number one (we'll call her Sylvia (Nancy Travis)) dropped off the results of that night at irresponsible adult number two's house (we'll call him Jack Holden (Ted Danson)). The results of that night just so happen to be a beautiful baby girl named Mary.
Jack wasn't home at the time of the delivery so Jack's roommates, Peter (Tom Selleck) and Michael (Steve Guttenberg) were left holding the bag. Well, in this case, the baby. There were plenty of follies as these two oblivious bachelors stumbled their way through caring for a child. Fortunately for them, Jack arrived back home after a few days and was able to chip in to help care for his daughter.
This was an adorable movie but I don't want to talk about that. I want to talk about Sylvia. She dropped the baby off at the front door. There was nine months of pregnancy and another three months or so of child rearing and not once did she call, write, or send a telegram telling Jack that he's a father. Yet, in a moment of weakness, she drops off her baby at Jack's front door.
Now, me personally, I'm getting medical proof that I'm the father. Not that Mary wasn't a bundle of joy or anything, but because Sylvia's methods of dropping a baby on Jack were so outrageous. I would be thinking that the real father split and I was the next best option.
Jack was too good of a guy (or too gullible) to get a paternity test and his roommates were too head-over-heels to even suggest it. It's not like a woman would lie about such a thing right?
As I said, the movie was adorable and it was a comedy after all. There was no need to darken the mood by going to a doctor or by suggesting that precious little Mary could be anybody's daughter. Nevermind my cynical musing, Three Men and a Baby was awesome.
Jack wasn't home at the time of the delivery so Jack's roommates, Peter (Tom Selleck) and Michael (Steve Guttenberg) were left holding the bag. Well, in this case, the baby. There were plenty of follies as these two oblivious bachelors stumbled their way through caring for a child. Fortunately for them, Jack arrived back home after a few days and was able to chip in to help care for his daughter.
This was an adorable movie but I don't want to talk about that. I want to talk about Sylvia. She dropped the baby off at the front door. There was nine months of pregnancy and another three months or so of child rearing and not once did she call, write, or send a telegram telling Jack that he's a father. Yet, in a moment of weakness, she drops off her baby at Jack's front door.
Now, me personally, I'm getting medical proof that I'm the father. Not that Mary wasn't a bundle of joy or anything, but because Sylvia's methods of dropping a baby on Jack were so outrageous. I would be thinking that the real father split and I was the next best option.
Jack was too good of a guy (or too gullible) to get a paternity test and his roommates were too head-over-heels to even suggest it. It's not like a woman would lie about such a thing right?
As I said, the movie was adorable and it was a comedy after all. There was no need to darken the mood by going to a doctor or by suggesting that precious little Mary could be anybody's daughter. Nevermind my cynical musing, Three Men and a Baby was awesome.
- view_and_review
- Sep 9, 2019
- Permalink
comedy without jokes
- nicolasverdessm
- Jun 13, 2022
- Permalink
A lighthearted comedy for the whole family (featuring drugs and attempted murder)
I didn't really think about it back in the day, but Three Men and a Baby is an odd movie. Where else would you find a lighthearted comedy for the whole family that also features heroin dealers and attempted murder? No, this film isn't as funny as I remembered it being, but it's still an uplifting and enjoyable story with an extremely adorable baby.
- cricketbat
- Jul 25, 2022
- Permalink
"These diapers are too big!" .. "They're 'super absorbent'!"
Popular comedy, a remake of the French farce "Three Men and a Cradle" from 1985, wrings (repeated) easy laughs from the sight of three clueless guys trying to change a dirty diaper. Bachelor roommates in Manhattan--Tom Selleck, Ted Danson and Steve Guttenberg--become temporary caretakers of an infant girl left on their doorstep, fathered by one of the three men. For those still watching--and no doubt hoping for more--there's also a subplot about heroin dealers and cops on the New York City narcotics squad. Leonard Nimoy was chosen as director, and he shows about as much style and humor as would any Vulcan. Followed by a sequel, "Three Men and a Little Lady", in 1990.
- moonspinner55
- Mar 29, 2021
- Permalink
Cute comedy
"3 Men and a Baby" is a comedy that's cute and funny. Tom Selleck, Steve Guttenberg, and Ted Danson star as three bachelors who live together, and who's lives are changed forever when on one particular day a baby infant is left on their doorstep. The three bachelors are now forced unexpectedly to become fathers to the baby. Plenty of wonderful comedy scenes throughout as the three stars go through the frustrations of having to deal with this infant girl in the early stages, then the baby eventually starts to win them over. If only the filmmakers threw out the subplot involving drugs, then this film would've been a great comedy.
*** (out of four)
*** (out of four)
- jhaggardjr
- Feb 23, 2001
- Permalink
3 Men and a Baby and a ghost
Nothing like I remembered
Perhaps it's the change of times, and the fact that this movie is peak 80s, but what I was expecting to be an enjoyable revisit to a movie I enjoyed as a kid did not turn out as I expected.
The main characters are overly stereotyped: the playboy actor Danson with a different lady every night, the handsome architect Selleck (the serious one of the bunch), and the goofy but lovable (although now it comes off a little creepy) artist Gutenberg. And the jokes just fall flat one after another.
Couldn't make it more than halfway before stopping the movie.
- juanchaparro
- Mar 1, 2021
- Permalink
real good
To be real critic about this film is not so easy. Because it is nice and honest and predictable. Because it is build around three good comedy actors from legendary series and because it propose the high nightmare of many bachelors. So, it is real good. And like the wines, after decades it becomes better and better.
- Kirpianuscus
- Aug 13, 2019
- Permalink
The kid's alright.
'Three Men And A Baby (1987)' tells the story of... well, three men and a baby. One day, a crib rocks up on the doorstep of thee bachelor roommates (though one of them is out of town for quite some time) and the unsuspecting soon-to-be-dads have to figure out how to take care of the baby it carries until someone comes to take her off their hands. They also have to contend with a mysterious package that some unsavoury types - as well as the cops - are looking for. It's a typical sort of 'fish out of water' comedy that focuses on the evolving relationship the three men have with the child, initially finding it a nuisance but eventually coming to love it as their own. Sure, it follows a tried-and-tested formula, but it follows it fairly well. It's enjoyable enough and has a few chuckle-worthy moments. Having said that, the thing isn't all that engaging or, even, memorable. Plus, it rockets past its natural conclusion with a bizarrely extended final movement that really feels as though it should have had more screen-time (it certainly feels more relevant than the almost obligatory drug plotline). When it comes down to it, the movie is perfectly passable entertainment. It's good enough for what it is, I suppose, even if I find myself less aware of its existence with each passing moment. 6/10.
- Pjtaylor-96-138044
- Aug 29, 2021
- Permalink
Turkey is not an arabic country!
- olcaysalici-276-926350
- Jan 3, 2020
- Permalink
Good
Fortunately the three bachelors are played by famous name stars in Tom Sellick (Peter, the architect), Steve Guttenberg (Michael, the artist) and Ted Danson (Jack, the actor). Their combined talents and charisma have a lot to do with this movie's success. This film was nearly perfect, but sadly still not made for everyone. It's an important film, as well as very entertaining. It is very light-hearted. It's fun to see the three guys in all the stereotypical circumstances of diapering and baby tending. I finished this film, thinking, "There are people out there suffering and I can do something to help them out!" Great performances help to enhance this story of friendship.
- manitobaman81
- Aug 18, 2014
- Permalink
The joys of fatherhood
This is an absolute classic family comedy about three bachelor's Peter (Tom Selleck) Michael (Steve Gutenburg) and Jack (Ted Danson) who live together in a new york apartment there lives are filled with party's, women and work all the fun with none of the responsibilities until one day Peter comes home from his morning run to find a baby on the doorstep with a note explaining who the father is and why the baby girl named Mary has been left in his care in an instant there lives change from being carefree to becoming full time dads with no experience of how to take care of a baby they band together to take care of Mary as dad and Co dads but overtime all the things they hated the late nights the crying and diaper changes no dates or free time aren't work anymore and they can't imagine there lives without Mary there are many ups and downs along the way and a subplot involving gangsters and the police but altogether this movie is very heartwarming and really tugs at the heartstrings showing the joys of being a dedicated and loving father or father's rather.
Tom Selleck, Steve Gutenburg and Ted Danson are a great comedy trio together and use there charm and charisma to sing lullabys, charm the ladies and be great dads it's nice to see a movie where the dad's save the day and are the role models for being good parent's there's not a lot of movies that focus on fatherhood in a genuinely light hearted and fun way while also being serious and grounded.
The soundtrack is one of the best parts of the movie in my opinion it follows the journey of the characters carefree bachelor lifestyle to them becoming parents and co-parents with a perfect mix of light hearted songs that stick in your head even days later.
I recommend this movie to any parent or soon to be parent it perfectly captures the highs and lows of new parenthood and the changes that happen in your life but overall how being a parent is a wonderful and unique experience that can change your whole life and put all the little stresses in life into perspective when there's a whole person new to the world who's counting on you for everything and guide them along the way.
Tom Selleck, Steve Gutenburg and Ted Danson are a great comedy trio together and use there charm and charisma to sing lullabys, charm the ladies and be great dads it's nice to see a movie where the dad's save the day and are the role models for being good parent's there's not a lot of movies that focus on fatherhood in a genuinely light hearted and fun way while also being serious and grounded.
The soundtrack is one of the best parts of the movie in my opinion it follows the journey of the characters carefree bachelor lifestyle to them becoming parents and co-parents with a perfect mix of light hearted songs that stick in your head even days later.
I recommend this movie to any parent or soon to be parent it perfectly captures the highs and lows of new parenthood and the changes that happen in your life but overall how being a parent is a wonderful and unique experience that can change your whole life and put all the little stresses in life into perspective when there's a whole person new to the world who's counting on you for everything and guide them along the way.
- Darkside-Reviewer
- Dec 28, 2019
- Permalink
Poor Hollywood...
This is a remake of a wonderful French movie, Trois hommes et un couffin, by director Coline Serreau. When the French version have charm, this Hollywood massacre becomes boring. It's not the first time that Americans try to catch the French humor of great French films. A lot of Pierre Richard films have this treatment. So is Nikita and a lot of others. Every time, it's a disaster. So, please, if you really want to see a funny and creative movie, go see Coline Serreau version. I give one out of ten for this, and 10 out of 10 for the French version.
3 Men and a Baby
"Jack" (Ted Danson), "Michael" (Steve Guttenburg) and "Peter" (Tom Selleck) live the lives of three reasonably well-off bachelors until they open the door one morning to find a little bundle of joy complete with a note declaring that "Jack" is the father and that the young girl is all their's! Panic sets in but being men of the world, they quickly adapt (!?!) to parenting with all the right nappies, milk bottles - indeed, you name it and they get it wrong! To add to their woes, another knock at their door reveals that a couple of hoodlums are after another sort of powdery mixture and are convinced that these three have it. What now ensues plays just a bit too much to stereotype for me. The baby does way too much irritating screaming - authentic, I know, but not after ten minutes in a cinema! I can't usually tell Danson and Selleck apart at the best of times and Guttenburg seems to add little to the rather far-fetched dynamic that is cluttered rather than augmented by the gangster thread, then a court hearing, then some antics on a construction site. The original concept is the best thing about it but the execution is over-scripted and just too contrived to stay entertaining beyond the first twenty minutes.
- CinemaSerf
- Dec 30, 2023
- Permalink
A film that stinks as bad as Mary's nappies
- DavidSim240183
- Mar 30, 2008
- Permalink
Eighties classic still holds it's own
- Robert_duder
- Mar 10, 2013
- Permalink
Three Men and a Baby
- jboothmillard
- Feb 19, 2008
- Permalink
There is nothing so old - fashioned as being completely up to date.
- ianlouisiana
- Mar 2, 2018
- Permalink