Three Men and a Cradle

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Three Men and a Cradle

PG-13

Released Apr 25, 1986

1h 46m

Comedy

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Popcornmeter

72%

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18 Reviews

56%

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2,500+ Ratings

When a baby is left on their doorstep, hard-partying bachelors Pierre (Roland Giraud), Jacques (André Dussolier) and Michel (Michel Boujenah) experience a serious lifestyle change. Instead of carousing until dawn and chasing women, they're now changing diapers and learning the ins and outs of fatherhood. The baby's mother -- one of Jacques' many conquests -- has flown to the United States. In the meantime, they'll have to protect the child from a mix-up with some drug runners.

Paul Attanasio

Washington Post

... at the beginning, at least, it's delightful.

Jan 3, 2018

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Sheila Benson

Los Angeles Times

A perfectly pleasant little piffle.

Jul 25, 2014

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Jay Boyar

Orlando Sentinel

A simple equation, perhaps, but when it comes to comedy, simpler is frequently funnier.

Jul 25, 2014

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Adrian Turner

Radio Times

Smartly paced and engagingly acted by the relatively unknown cast, it's a sweet little satire about the demolition of the male ego in the era of feminism.

Rated: 4/5

Jul 25, 2014

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David Sterritt

Christian Science Monitor

While the story has few surprises, parts of it are amusing and the performances are convincing.

Jul 25, 2014

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TV Guide

An engaging French comedy about three bachelors who find an abandoned baby at their door.

Rated: 3/4

Jul 25, 2014

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S R

I saw this since I had come across Phillipine Leroy and was intrigued to see this original that Hollywood later remade. This was not nearly as comically funny, but it was more subtle and dark focusing on the suffering on the men. It was entertaining, but I may lean to the remake as being better. RUS.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

05/22/25

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S P

A real gem : The discovery of parenthood, initially forced, develops into an all encompassing and profound reflection on the meaning of life. A profoundly good movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/25/24

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Audience Member

This is an enjoyable, sensitive and altogether witty portrayal of three men with a problem and so much more sincere of a movie than the American version of a similar name; that subsequent portrayal has all the markings of a rushed remake with the current popular stars - the men turn into rich, handsome playboys and womanizers and the humor smacks you in the face rather than the quirky everday-man in the far more sincere and original French version. Thoroughly recommend!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/25/23

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Audience Member

Great look at gender roles.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/23/23

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Audience Member

I tried to admire it, but I couldn't. I just couldn't.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

02/04/23

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Audience Member

Funny and warm-hearted movie.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/16/23

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Coline Serreau

Director

Roland Giraud

Pierre

Michel Boujenah

Michel

André Dussollier

Jacques

Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu

Sylvia

Dominique Lavanant

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Synopsis

When a baby is left on their doorstep, hard-partying bachelors Pierre (Roland Giraud), Jacques (André Dussolier) and Michel (Michel Boujenah) experience a serious lifestyle change. Instead of carousing until dawn and chasing women, they're now changing diapers and learning the ins and outs of fatherhood. The baby's mother -- one of Jacques' many conquests -- has flown to the United States. In the meantime, they'll have to protect the child from a mix-up with some drug runners.

Director: Coline Serreau
Screenwriter: Coline Serreau
Distributor: Samuel Goldwyn Company
Production Co: Ministère de la Culture, Flach Film, TF1 Films Production, Soprofilms [fr], Centre national du cinéma et de l'image animée (CNC)
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: French (France)
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 25, 1986, Original
Release Date (DVD): Aug 9, 2005
Box Office (Gross USA): $2.1M
Runtime: 1h 46m