5 Reasons to Love Alexander and the Terrible Horrible, No Good, #VeryBadDay

Now that Bubbles is older, I feel confident in taking her to see movies at the theater.  She loves the experience of the big chairs and the big screen, and even if she doesn’t always catch every joke or nuance, she likes laughing along with everyone else.  And if she also gets to order some popcorn, she’s in seventh heaven.

When I received the invite for us to attend a screening this past week for Alexander and the Terrible Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day I suspected that it would be a good choice for the whole family.  It is, after all, based on the children’s book of the same title.  Alexander and the Terrible Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day was a book I remember enjoying as a kid, and so I was interested to see how it would translate to the big screen.

Hubby, Bubbles and I ended up all going and we all truly enjoyed it.  After the movie we sat around over a couple of burgers and talked about what we liked and why.  Here are my five reasons I think you’ll love #VeryBadDay.

Steve Carrell

I can’t think of anyone that wouldn’t want eternal optimist Ben Cooper (played by Steve Carrell) as their Dad. He reminds me of my own father in just how laid back and unruffled he is, no matter if a baby is crying, someone is throwing up on him, or if his arms are on fire. Steve Carrell brings not only the expected humor but warmth to the role and will keep you smiling throughout.

Jennifer Garner

Jennifer Garner plays Kelley Cooper, a Mom who has had to return to work. While she’s great at her job she’s also torn about all the family things she’s missing. Especially when baby Trevor’s first word is Fammy (the abbreviation of Father-Mommy, pronounced Fah-mmy). Jennifer Garner has always seemed like a very down-to-Earth and approachable person, and that shines through in the character, making it easy to relate to Kelly.

There’s Hope for Teenagers

Alexander also has two older siblings: brother Anthony (Dylan Minnette) and sister Emily (Kerris Dorsey).  Both of them find themselves in some precarious situations where making the best choices isn’t easy.  And while every choice they make isn’t perfect (and what teen is?), the major ones made – especially by Anthony – make you feel hopeful about how those teens who don’t want to be seen in public with you will eventually turn out.

No One Is Perfect

Anthony gets suspended.  Emily nearly destroys the set of Peter Pan.  This is a great movie for kids to see that life goes on after a stumble – even if that stumble is your friend texting pictures of you dressed like a woman to your entire school, or setting that cute girl’s lab notes on fire.

We’re All in it Together

It’s really nice to watch a movie where everyone pulls together.  Because at the end of the day, isn’t that what we all want?  For our older kids to stop picking on the youngest kids for 10 minutes to help them with their math homework?  For Mom and Dad to figure out who can be where when so that everyone’s covered, even if it’s not always exactly the plan we’d choose if we had our druthers?

Alexander and the Terrible Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day is rated PG for “rude humor” and some “reckless behavior”.  After Mom accidentally walks in on Anthony, there is the use of the “P” word related to anatomy.  And it’s mentioned at one point that “this day sucks”.  As long as you’re comfortable with your kiddos hearing those phrases, I feel like this movie is definitely one everyone can enjoy together.

Tell me about your #VeryBadDay! What did you do to turn it around?