Can a chaotic family vacation settle a decades-old rivalry between two competitive fathers?
In short: In the 2005 comedy Cheaper by the Dozen 2, the Baker family attempts one final getaway before their children scatter. Their peaceful retreat to Lake Winnetka is upended by the arrival of the Murtaughs, a rival clan whose patriarch, Jimmy, uses his wealth to challenge Tom Baker’s parenting style.
Directed by Adam Shankman, the film serves as a sequel to the 2003 original, reuniting Steve Martin as Tom Baker and Bonnie Hunt as Kate. The story begins as the Baker family faces significant transitions: Nora is pregnant and planning a move to Texas, while Lorraine prepares for an internship at Allure magazine in New York. Fearing the family is drifting apart, Tom organizes a final trip to their old cabin in Wisconsin, only to discover it is now owned by Mike Romanow, a friend of his long-time rival, Jimmy Murtaugh.
Jimmy Murtaugh, played by Eugene Levy, arrives with his wife Sarina and his eight children, immediately creating friction by flaunting his success and criticizing Tom’s more relaxed approach to raising kids. This tension culminates in a series of mishaps, including a golf cart crash and a fireworks incident, leading the two fathers to settle their differences at the Annual Labor Day Family Cup. The competition pushes both families to their breaking points, with the children becoming increasingly miserable under the pressure of their fathers' obsession with winning.
The conflict reaches a climax during a tiebreaking canoe race, where the families are forced to set aside their pride when Nora goes into labor. Jimmy eventually admits his long-standing jealousy of Tom, and the two families unite to ensure Nora reaches the hospital safely. Despite receiving negative reviews from critics, the film grossed $135 million worldwide against a $60 million budget. Ultimately, the experience allows the Bakers to reconcile their changing dynamics, with Bud and Nora even purchasing the lake cabin, securing a place for the family to gather in the future.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Cheaper by the Dozen 2
- Also: Wikidata — Cheaper by the Dozen 2 · CC0
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