Lacking the courage of its farcical convictions, this urban-skewed variation on "Three Men and a Baby" (not to mention every other film in recent memory in which seemingly confident men are reduced to helpless incompetents in the face of squalling infants) is, despite its plethora of fart and poo jokes, a distinctly mild-mannered comedy. Working from a screenplay concocted by co-star Eddie Griffin and three others, director Cheryl Dunye applies a softer, gentler touch to the material, with the result being that "My Baby's Daddy" offers little to overcome its general air of familiarity. Released Friday without press screenings, Miramax can only hope that this counterprogramming ploy can attract some quick bucks in the big cities.

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