I was invited to take a look at a very special movie by Bryce Dallas Howard called Dads. I also took part in a virtual roundtable with Bryce and several Dad Bloggers and a few Moms, too. The film will be available starting June 19th on Apple TV+. I think it would be a great one to watch on your own or with your own dad. It is funny, touching and full of great stories from dads all over the world.
I was excited to see that several of my friends were also on the call. My pal Adam from Dada Rocks was there and so was Andrew from Mommy’s Busy Go Ask Daddy, Chris from Dad of Divas and Fathering Together was there and so was Art Eddy of The Art of Fatherhood. We were each able to ask one question of Bryce about the film. You can see my question and her answer in the video below.
One of the coolest things I saw in the film was how Bryce’s grandfather, Rance Howard, influenced the writers of The Andy Griffith Show. His objection to how Ron Howard’s character of Opie was written was spot on and the changes made this a much stronger show with an excellent relationship between a father and a son. I must have watched hours and hours of re-runs of this show. I also watched Happy Days on reruns and again saw a father and son relationship that was meaningful in that of Howard Cunningham and Richie.
I’ve been a fan of Ron Howard’s work my whole life and I can see how his approach to fatherhood has shaped Bryce as a filmmaker but also as a person. She was gracious and kind with us on the call and her film touches so many lives of different dads across the world. She found amazing stories to share with all dads. I look forward to watching the film again when it arrives on Apple TV+ on June 19th.
More about the film.
“DADS” is a heartfelt and humorous documentary that celebrates the joys and challenges of parenting in today’s world. Featuring six extraordinary fathers from across the globe, this film offers a firsthand glimpse into the trials and tribulations of modern-day parenting through revealing interviews, rare home-movie footage, viral videos, and hilarious and thoughtful testimonials from some of Hollywood’s funniest celebrities, including Judd Apatow, Jimmy Fallon, Neil Patrick Harris, Ron Howard, Ken Jeong, Jimmy Kimmel, Hasan Minaj, Conan O’Brien, Patton Oswalt, Will Smith and more. Making her feature directorial debut, Bryce Dallas Howard also offers an intimate look at the dads in her own family, including remarkable interviews with her late grandfather Rance, her father Ron and her brother Reed.
“DADS” is part of Apple’s exclusive, first-look deal with Imagine Documentaries. The film is produced by Nine Muses Entertainment, in association with Dove Men+Care.
“DADS” is directed by Bryce Dallas Howard. She also serves as one of the film’s producers alongside Ron Howard, Brian Grazer, Michael Rosenberg, Justin Wilkes, and Walter Matteson. The film’s executive producers include Kelly Mullen, Giles Morrison, Meredith Kaulfers, Marc Gilbar, and Sara Bernstein. “DADS” is rated PG and has an 81 minute runtime.