There is something brave and original about piling up most of our worst parental nightmares in one movie and then daring to make a midsummer comedy out of them. It really shouldn't work, but it does.
Parenthood (1989)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted: 37
Fresh: 34
Rotten:3
Average Rating: 7.1/10
Runtime: 2 hrs 4 mins
Genre: Comedies
Synopsis: The trials and tribulations of middle-class family life are depicted in director Ron Howard's humorous and loving ode to the joys of parenthood. Middle-manager Gil Buckman struggles to reconcile... The trials and tribulations of middle-class family life are depicted in director Ron Howard's humorous and loving ode to the joys of parenthood. Middle-manager Gil Buckman struggles to reconcile his ambitions at work with his loyalty to his family, particularly to his troubled son, Kevin. His divorced sister Helen has a sullen and withdrawn son and a sexually active teenage daughter. Gil's other sister, Susan, is a schoolteacher married to an ambitious yuppie determined to make a genius of their 3-year-old daughter. Their long-lost brother, the irresponsible Larry, has always been daddy's favorite and returns home with an illegitimate son named Cool. [More]
Starring: Steve Martin, Jason Robards, Mary Steenburgen, Rick Moranis
Starring: Steve Martin, Jason Robards, Mary Steenburgen, Rick Moranis, Tom Hulce, Dianne Wiest, Keanu Reeves, Martha Plimpton, Joaquin Phoenix
Director: Ron Howard
Director: Ron Howard
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Release:
Jun 21, 2009
DVD Features:
- Region 1
- Snap Case
- Special Edition
- Anamorphic Widescreen - 1.85
- Full Frame - 1.33
Audio:
- Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo - French
- Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround - English
- Subtitles - English (SDH), French, Spanish - Optional
Additional Release Material:
- Trailers: Theatrical Trailer
Featurette:
- 1. ART IMATING LIFE
- 2. FAMILY REUNION
- 3. Words And Music
Reviews for Parenthood
While Parenthood crosses the border into schmaltz a number of times, the movie runs the gamut of realistic emotions, and one scene or another is bound to hit home with the parents who see the film.
An ambitious, keenly observed, and often very funny look at one of life's most daunting passages...
Parenthood is a middlebrow masterpiece. Not a masterpiece of middlebrow but a middlebrow masterpiece, with the latter word being the subject, not the modifier.
Steve Martin's manically over-conscientious dad steals the film, whether chewing the pitch as his small son fumbles at baseball, or entertaining a kids' party as an unconvincing cowboy.
Ron Howard's pithy and poignant look at domestic disillusionment...a pure joy to behold!
Even being the most sensitive parent, the film reminds us, has its limits. No matter how hard you try, you can't live your children's lives for them.
One-dimensional characters and 1st grade humor combine to make a self-important film that takes itself seriously. Horrible.
A funny, uneven look at the ups, downs, joys and sorrows of being a parent. It's a bit heavy-handed, but stll touching.
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