When people mention Kevin Hart, the first thing that usually comes to mind is his comedy films. The actor is known for his flair in making viewers laugh, and with that skill, he earned a lot of roles that were able to showcase this strength. But, did you know that he also starred in a serious drama?
Hart proved his versatility as an actor when he agreed to work on the Netflix film Fatherhood. It is a far cry from his usual starring roles, a heart-wrenching story that surely tugged at the heartstrings. What’s more interesting is the fact that it is based on a true story.
Kevin Hart Shows Dramatic Chops In Netflix Story About A Single Father
Speaking with Variety, Jumanji star Kevin Hart revealed that Fatherhood is a touching tale that he hopes people would find relatable:
“I think it’s a movie that’s going to truly move the needle on so many different levels. I’m hoping that is one that’s evergreen, that lasts forever, that people will be able to always go back and look at and get a sense of feel-good from.”
Hart portrayed the real-life story of Matthew Logelin, a single dad who took the roles of a mother and a father when his wife Liz died after giving birth. He shared his experience in a blog post, which ended up becoming a memoir entitled Two Kisses For Maddy. Readers were moved by the story, and it quickly gained public attention.
The movie went through several changes, including a film where Channing Tatum landed the role, though it eventually went to Hart.
Director Paul Weitz first worked with Hart on Little Fockers. He revealed seeing the actor’s dramatic chops early on:
“I remember on the last day of filming, I went up to him and said, ‘I don’t think you’re a really good comedic actor, I think you a good actor,’ and that stuck in my head.”
Hart agreed to take on the role not to prove to the audience that he could also work with serious dramas. He wanted to make sure he would give justice to Logelin’s narrative:
“[Logelin’s] book was written to heal. That book was written for him to express, get this out there and possibly help other people who are going through the same thing.”
The 44-year-old actor also reiterated that the role appealed to him as an opportunity to show the world that Black men are not always “the drug dealer or in jail”:
“I was able to portray a Black man on the big screen in a positive light, which is something you don’t see much of. We’re always the drug dealer or in jail, we’re gone, we’re just coming back. It’s the same thing over and over again.”
Hart admitted that it felt good to have a material that is grounded in reality and able to give people a sense of positivity in their lives.
Kevin Hart Is A Proud Father Of Four
While Father’s Day is celebrated at different times of the year around the world, the movie is a timeless tale that centers around the wonders and challenges of fatherhood. Hart hopes that the story will “uplift and motivate fathers” to accept that they are equally as important as mothers.
Hart also shared that he is not a “perfect” father, but he takes his job sincerely:
“I can only hope that as I continue to progress in my career, that people see just how seriously I take fatherhood. Perfect I am not. But one thing that I don’t play games about are my kids. I never have and I never will.”
Being a father is a rewarding job, and despite the hardships that come with the responsibility, the joys will always outweigh the challenges. Kevin Hart reminds fans in his movie that amazing things happen “when the job is done right.”
Fatherhood is available on Netflix.
Source: Variety
