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Parental Guidance is sweet but milquetoast, an inoffensive trifle that's blandly predictable.
All Critics (92) | Top Critics (25) | Fresh (16) | Rotten (76) | DVD (1)
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. Jan 3, 2013 | Full Review…
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.
Ben Sachs
One of those intergenerational embarrassment comedies in the Meet the Fockers line, where children can enjoy seeing grown-ups looking ridiculous. Dec 28, 2012 | Rating: 2/4 | Full Review…
One of those intergenerational embarrassment comedies in the Meet the Fockers line, where children can enjoy seeing grown-ups looking ridiculous.
Liam Lacey
A film with little else to commend it from the obvious. Dec 27, 2012 | Rating: 2/5 | Full Review…
A film with little else to commend it from the obvious.
Derek Malcolm
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. Dec 27, 2012 | Full Review…
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.
Chris Packham
After a while it seems to run out of jokes, maybe to make room for all the crying and hug-it-out family redemption in the last half hour. Dec 26, 2012 | Rating: C | Full Review…
After a while it seems to run out of jokes, maybe to make room for all the crying and hug-it-out family redemption in the last half hour.
Owen Gleiberman
I can't deny I did feel fonder of my own family afterward, mostly because I know none of them would ever make me sit through Parental Guidance. Dec 26, 2012 | Full Review…
I can't deny I did feel fonder of my own family afterward, mostly because I know none of them would ever make me sit through Parental Guidance.
Mary F. Pols
Parental Guidance is simply not very funny, which given its attempt to incorporate constant humour, poses quite the problem. Feb 6, 2019 | Rating: 2/5 | Full Review…
Parental Guidance is simply not very funny, which given its attempt to incorporate constant humour, poses quite the problem.
Stefan Pape
It's definitely a feel good movie, making it the perfect family friendly holiday pick - just remember not to grumble when it doesn't offer any more than that. Oct 22, 2018 | Full Review…
It's definitely a feel good movie, making it the perfect family friendly holiday pick - just remember not to grumble when it doesn't offer any more than that.
Sarah Gopaul
A series of contrivances born of some unholy union between America's Funniest Home Videos and Leave it to Beaver. Aug 21, 2018 | Full Review…
A series of contrivances born of some unholy union between America's Funniest Home Videos and Leave it to Beaver.
Jordan Riefe
It's about how grandparents are important even though they say weird things and make bad jokes and try to get you excited about boring things, like baseball. Sep 27, 2017 | Rating: 2/5 | Full Review…
It's about how grandparents are important even though they say weird things and make bad jokes and try to get you excited about boring things, like baseball.
Nick Dent
There is nothing profound here, but if Artie being called "Farty" by a pre-schooler takes your fancy, then you'll have a laugh. Sep 11, 2017 | Rating: 2.5/5 | Full Review…
There is nothing profound here, but if Artie being called "Farty" by a pre-schooler takes your fancy, then you'll have a laugh.
Francesca Rudkin
A more clichéd, cloying, and predictable treacle fest than 'Parental Guidance' you will not find-if you're an adult. That's why it's a pretty good film for small children! Jun 20, 2016 | Rating: 2.5/5 | Full Review…
A more clichéd, cloying, and predictable treacle fest than 'Parental Guidance' you will not find-if you're an adult. That's why it's a pretty good film for small children!
Mark Jackson
There's some to love, and a lot to dislike about this Billy Crystal-Bette Midler paired comedy. In the positive category we have our two leads, who are comedy legends and all around funny people. The characters deal with really intense problems that stem from a wide variety of issues, and not all of them have easy solutions. That's not a regular staple of modern comedy films, which are happy to create a tidy ending for its schmucks. What many people take issue with is this unrealistic, privileged view of middle class Americans that paints children as spoiled misanthropes, and adults as their enablers. Artie's voice doesn't seem like Crystal's, because everyone knows that the future means embracing technology, and all its benefits. In this reality older people know best and younger people don't know anything. If its depiction of people wasn't so skewed, perhaps the few laughs it actually generated would be better appreciated.
Super Reviewer
Wasn't quite the suck-fest I pictured, but believe me, my expectations were way down for this one. Found this quite watchable (once, anyhow, wouldn't watch it again). Decent cast lift it a bit too.
Decent, funny comedy, but nothing really special. Billy Crystal was very funny. The philosophy of old school vs, new school parenting had some good laughs, etc. But, it was just really average over all. Pleasant, but not memorable.
Parental Guidance was a funny movie. The kids in the film are really cute, funny, and charming. It's a good movie for the whole family. The way our parents parented are much different then the way most parent today and this movie gives a great example of it. Billy Crystal and Bette Midler are some of my favorite actors. I loved seeing them together in this. They were a perfect match for the movie. Tomei and Everett are great as the up tight "share your feelings" parents. It's a fun watch if you get the chance to see it.
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