Comedian Nate Bargatze Finds Success With Family-Friendly Film
Translated & summarized from Calcalist by baba
Record-breaking comedian Nate Bargatze's family-friendly film "The Breadwinner" has underperformed at the box office despite his massive stand-up success. The movie explores a role-reversal scenario where the father becomes a stay-at-home parent.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Nate Bargatze set a Guinness World Record for stand-up ticket sales.
- His new film, "The Breadwinner," has had modest box office returns.
- The movie features Bargatze in a family-friendly, role-reversal comedy.
- Bargatze is known for his clean, observational, and Southern-influenced humor.
- He is America's highest-grossing stand-up comedian for three years.
Comedian Nate Bargatze, who recently set a Guinness World Record for selling over 2 million tickets on his latest stand-up tour, has ventured into filmmaking with "The Breadwinner." The film, which Bargatze wrote, produced, and stars in, recently became available on VOD in Israel. Despite his massive success in live comedy, the film has not mirrored that achievement at the box office, grossing approximately $20 million against a $25 million budget, though it may still profit from home viewing and streaming.
Bargatze, known for his clean, observational humor delivered with a slow drawl and perfect comedic timing, plays a conservative car salesman in the film. His wife, played by Mandy Moore, is the primary caregiver for their three daughters. The premise flips when the wife develops a home-management invention and appears on the show "Shark Tank," leading to Bargatze having to become a full-time stay-at-home dad while his wife pursues her entrepreneurial ambitions.
The movie explores the challenges of fatherhood and domestic life, a theme reminiscent of earlier films like "Mr. Mom" and "Daddy Day Care." While the humor is described as somewhat dated, the article notes that Bargatze's charming presence, witty writing, and the film's surprising twists elevate it beyond its predictable start, leading to genuinely funny moments.
Bargatze, 47, has consistently been the highest-grossing stand-up comedian in America for three consecutive years. His previous specials are available on Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. He has built a significant media empire and is praised for his business acumen alongside his comedic talent. His humor, often compared to Dolly Parton and Elvis Presley for its Southern roots and family-friendly appeal, focuses on everyday life and his wife, who he portrays as the more sensible member of the couple.