Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day is a classic Disney, real-people, fun-for-all-the-family comedy and it's something that you could definitely sit down and watch, and even enjoy, without feeling as though your head is being melted.
At the beginning of the film we meet Alexander the day before his 12th birthday party and everything seems to be going wrong for the poor guy; the cool kid in school is having his birthday party on the same night, he makes a fool of himself in front of the girl he likes and everyone else in his family seems to be living the perfect #Blessed lives. So, armed with the magic of his birthday wish, Alexander wishes that his family could experience a really bad day, and that's when things kick off; alarms are missed, diapers go astray, pre-prom pimples sprout up and both parents face dilemmas at work.
Steve Carell is a brilliant haphazard dad and many of the best comedy moments are with him but each of the kids has some classic laughs of their own and you'll leave the cinema feeling kind of warm inside and the little ones are sure to have a ball.
Yes, it's predictable and no, it won't be cleaning up at awards season, but what is has in spades is charm, laughs, a great cast and that Disney feel-good factor. It does what it says on the tin.
Sinead Brennan
Watch Sinead's interview with Steve Carell:
Check out the trailer for Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day here:
