Parental Guidance Reviews

Borscht Belt humor combines with serious schmaltz to produce this gummy formulaic family comedy.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/4

People with brains they can't turn on and off for 90 minute stretches of holiday family togetherness will be driven to take some kind of painkiller before the final credits roll. Everyone else will be fine

Full Review | Original Score: 0.5/5

If 'Parental Guidance' is the drivel that's passing for family fare this winter, then it's best to just keep your family warm and entertained at home.

Full Review | Original Score: .5/4

... a shameless mix of obnoxious slapstick and relentless bodily-function humor that results in shots to the crotch for Crystal and blows to the brain for moviegoers.

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I don't know if it's reassuring or scary that in such an American film the kids seems to be UK-style victims of both health and safety rules and political correctness at the same time.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5

Poor Crystal. There remains a scintilla of dignity in his sad clown. He may beatbox while wearing wraparound sunglasses, but, thankfully for you and yours, he does not dance the robot.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5

This grating family comedy resembles a sitcom in its flat lighting, patronizing music cues, and frames supplying little visual information apart from the actors' mugging faces.

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The underlying issues make for a surprisingly relevant film.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5

A yappy pile-up of grandparents-know-best shtick, gross-out bathroom humor and sentimental claptrap.

Full Review | Original Score: 1.5/5

Crystal, Midler and Tomei make a perfect combination for this funny but heartwarming family film

Full Review | Original Score: 7/10

A brutal comedy of bad manners ...

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Just as ghastly as it sounds.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5

One of those intergenerational embarrassment comedies in the Meet the Fockers line, where children can enjoy seeing grown-ups looking ridiculous.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/4

The family friendliest movie comedy this holiday season is also the sappiest and schmaltziest. And thanks to Billy Crystal, the shtickiest.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/4

A film with little else to commend it from the obvious.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5

Frankly it all feels a bit obvious, perfunctory and dated.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5

Midler does her best as a put-upon grandma but, ultimately, Parental Guidance feels dated.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5

An extended "in my day" joke intended to convey the superiority of old people over a lot of supposedly contemporary behavior that doesn't actually exist in real life.

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Warm and schmaltzy, Parental Guidance is the movie equivalent of comfort food. It's funny and warmhearted, not terribly ambitious, but it does the things it sets out to do well.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5

Billy Crystal and Bette Midler play dysfunctional grandparents. Ouch, and twice ouch.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5