While reviewers from Rotten Tomatoes and other critics were largely unimpressed by the predictable plot, the film was a modest commercial success, grossing $72.7 million worldwide. For many, the chemistry between Quaid and Russo anchored the movie, making the heartwarming finale feel earned despite the slapstick hurdles. Did You Know? It’s Based on a True Story

Kid comedy keeps 'Cheaper' formula movie review - Roger Ebert

(Rene Russo): A free-spirited handbag designer with ten children (four biological and six adopted).

Interestingly, the 2005 remake updated the family structure from the 1968 version. The original featured a Navy officer dad with 10 kids marrying a nurse with 8. The remake swapped the numbers (8 boys to 10 girls), presumably to modernize the gender dynamics. It didn't really work, but it gave us the memorable visual of a submarine commander trying to braid hair.