That's My Boy

That's My Boy

Year: 2012

Runtime: 116 min

Language: English

Directors: Sean Anders, John Morris

Budget: $70M

Comedy

A man's unexpected arrival throws chaos into his son's wedding plans, forcing them to confront a difficult and complex relationship. The father's unconventional parenting has left a lasting impact, and he must now face the consequences while attempting to truly connect with the son he’s always been distant from. Old wounds are reopened as they navigate a turbulent reunion.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen That's My Boy yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – That's My Boy (2012)

Trace every key event in That's My Boy (2012) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Donny's Affair Begins

In 1984, 13-year-old Donny Berger engages in a scandalous affair with his teacher, Mary McGarricle. This relationship quickly becomes a sensational topic, drawing attention from the community.

1984
2

Caught in the Act

During a school assembly, Donny and Mary are caught engaging in a sexual act on a piano. This public embarrassment results in Mary facing a significant prison sentence due to their inappropriate relationship.

1984
3

Mary's Pregnancy Revealed

Following their scandal, it is revealed that Mary is pregnant with Donny's child. This further complicates the situation, leading to custody battles after Donny's father is given custody of the child.

1984
4

Media Sensation

As the news of the affair breaks, Donny becomes a teenage idol, surfacing in headlines and making appearances on various talk shows. His notoriety lifts him to unexpected fame despite the scandal surrounding him.

1984
5

Flash Forward to 2012

In 2012, Donny is now living a disheveled life as a broke and drunken slacker. His reckless lifestyle has disconnected him from the successful life his son, Todd, is building.

2012
6

Todd Prepares for His Wedding

Todd Peterson, now distanced from his father due to Donny's irresponsible behavior, prepares for his wedding to Jamie Martin. As the wedding approaches, he faces additional tension from Jamie's no-nonsense brother, Chad.

2012 Cape Cod
7

Donny's Financial Crisis

Faced with dire financial trouble, Donny learns he owes $43,000 in back-taxes and risks three years in prison unless he can pay by the weekend. This leads him to desperately seek a way to reunite with his estranged son.

2012
8

The Reunion Plan

In a bid to resolve his financial woes, Donny contacts a TV producer, who offers him $50,000 to arrange a reunion with Todd and Mary, who is in prison. This sets the stage for a complicated family meeting.

2012
9

Attempting to Connect with Todd

Upon arriving in Cape Cod, Donny attempts to reconnect with Todd by posing as an old friend. His crude humor and outlandish stories, however, only serve to deepen the tension with his son.

2012 Cape Cod
10

Confrontations and Revelations

As family tensions escalate, Todd confronts the reality of his father's failures. This culminates in a devastating realization for Todd as he reflects on his upbringing and the impact of Donny's choices.

2012
11

Altercation at Church

During a church rehearsal for Todd's wedding, a fistfight breaks out between Todd and Father McNally, leading to the cancellation of the event. Donny steps in to protect Todd from further humiliation.

2012
12

A Bachelor Party Gone Wild

Donny crashes Todd's bachelor party, leading them down a path of reckless indulgence filled with drugs and debauchery. This experience unexpectedly strengthens their father-son bond amidst the chaos.

2012
13

Journey to Meet Mary

When the time comes to meet Mary in prison, Donny's conflicting intentions clash with Todd's desire for closure. The encounter becomes emotionally charged, particularly when interrupted by a TV crew.

2012
14

Wedding Shocks and Betrayal

During the wedding preparations, Donny learns of Jamie's affair with Todd's boss, Chad. He wrestles with the decision to reveal this truth, leading to heightened stakes on the day of the wedding.

2012 Cape Cod
15

Reclaiming Identity

In a dramatic turn of events at the wedding, Donny publicly claims his identity as Todd's father and exposes Jamie's deception. This revelation compels Todd to reclaim his identity as Han Solo Berger, breaking off the engagement.

2012 Cape Cod

Last Updated: October 27, 2024 at 21:07

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Chaotic Family Reunions like in That's My Boy

Outrageous relatives descend to wreak havoc on carefully planned lives.Discover movies like 'That's My Boy' where long-lost or eccentric relatives cause wedding-day disasters and personal chaos. This thread gathers comedies about awkward family reunions, featuring embarrassing parents, public scandals, and slapstick humor, all leading to a heartfelt, if messy, resolution.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a character (often uptight or successful) whose life is upended by the return of a wildly irresponsible family member. The plot is driven by a series of escalating, chaotic events—often centered around a milestone like a wedding—that force a confrontation with a difficult past. Despite the chaos, the journey typically leads to a deeper understanding and a happy, redemptive ending.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their shared focus on familial chaos as the primary source of comedy. They blend slapstick humor with cringe-worthy embarrassment, maintain a fast pace with low emotional weight, and follow a predictable arc from disruption to redemption, creating a specific and reliably funny viewing experience.

Raunchy Redemption Arcs like in That's My Boy

Crude slackers find a path to redemption through comedic chaos.If you liked the crude humor and personal growth in 'That's My Boy', explore these movies about lovable losers seeking redemption. These fast-paced comedies feature reckless characters overcoming financial woes and past scandals through chaotic adventures and heartfelt connections.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a charismatic but problematic character (often a deadbeat parent or friend) who is motivated by selfish reasons—like money—to reconnect with someone they've wronged. Their attempts are clumsy and cause significant chaos, but through the ensuing comedic turmoil, they inadvertently prove their underlying good heart and earn a second chance, leading to a happy resolution.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread share a specific tonal balance: they tackle redemption stories with a consistently light, raunchy comedic filter. The pacing is fast, the emotional weight is light, and the focus is on humor derived from the protagonist's inept but ultimately well-meaning attempts to do better.

Unlock the Full Story of That's My Boy

Don't stop at just watching — explore That's My Boy in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what That's My Boy is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

That's My Boy Summary

Read a complete plot summary of That's My Boy, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

That's My Boy Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in That's My Boy

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape That's My Boy. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in That's My Boy

That's My Boy Spoiler-Free Summary

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That's My Boy Spoiler-Free Summary

More About That's My Boy

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