Parenthood (1989)

The Buckman family is a midwestern family all dealing with their lives: estranged relatives, raising children, pressures of the job, and learning to be a good parent and spouse.

Director:

Ron Howard

Writers:

Lowell Ganz (story), Babaloo Mandel (story),

Stars:

Steve Martin, Mary Steenburgen, Dianne Wiest

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 4 wins & 10 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Steve Martin	...	Gil Buckman
Mary Steenburgen	...	Karen Buckman
Dianne Wiest	...	Helen Buckman
Jason Robards	...	Frank Buckman
Rick Moranis	...	Nathan Huffner
Tom Hulce	...	Larry Buckman
Martha Plimpton	...	Julie Buckman
Keanu Reeves	...	Tod Higgins
Harley Jane Kozak	...	Susan Buckman (as Harley Kozak)
Dennis Dugan	...	David Brodsky
Joaquin Phoenix	...	Garry Buckman-Lampkin (as Leaf Phoenix)
Eileen Ryan	...	Marilyn Buckman
Helen Shaw	...	Grandma
Jasen Fisher	...	Kevin Buckman
Paul Linke	...	George Bowman

Storyline

The story of the Buckman family and friends, attempting to bring up their children. They suffer/enjoy all the events that occur: estranged relatives, the "black sheep" of the family, the eccentrics, the skeletons in the closet, and the rebellious teenagers.

---

Plot Keywords:

children | baseball game | cupcake | hiding place | principal's office | 

---

Taglines:

The director of "Splash," "Willow" and "Cocoon" brings you a comedy about life, love and the gentle art of raising children.

---

Genres:

Comedy | Drama

---

Certificate:

PG-13

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 August 1989 (USA)

Also Known As:

Todo en la familia

Filming Locations:

Gainesville, Florida, USA

Box Office

Gross:

$100,050,000 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Imagine Entertainment, Universal Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

124 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

When Gil and Karen are riding in the van prior to the crash, they are driving on Kirkman Road in Orlando, Florida.

---

Goofs

Entire crew visible, reflected from car as Frank talks to Larry.

---

Quotes

Grandma: [after glimpsing porn tape on TV] One of those men reminded me of your grandfather.

---

Crazy Credits

Harley Jane Kozak is billed as Harley Kozak. Harley Jane Kozak went on to become an award-winning mystery author for her "Dating Dead Men" series.

---

Connections

References Bad Dudes (1988)

---

Soundtracks

"I Love To See You Smile"
Written and Performed by Randy Newman
Produced by Lenny Waronker
Courtesy of Warner Bros. Records

User Reviews

Excellent mix of comedy and drama.

This might very well be the most balanced- and excellent mix of drama and comedy I have ever seen. I already loved "Parenthood" when I was a kid and I perhaps love it even more now as a grownup, when I recently watched it again.

Perhaps the greatest strength of this movie is in its realism. Sure every character and event in the movie are somewhat silly and over-the-top but yet they also feel like very real problems and persons at the same time. This due to the great portrayal of the drama elements in the movie. These are real, recognizable or not, family-issues portrayed in this movie. It handles some delicate subjects but never without a smile as well. It makes this movie both touching and warm to watch, as well as fun and amusing.

Reason why both the dramatic and comical elements all work so well is also thanks to the cast. The movie has many well known actors in it. Tom Hulce especially impressed me and also Steve Martin was a great leading man, from the period when he was still funny in movies. Solid as always were Mary Steenburgen and Dianne Wiest. Rick Moranis surprisingly doesn't play a loser this time but he still is a nutty character in the movie. He shows in this movie that he also has some real acting skills. Keanu Reeves is also good in his role, from the period when he appeared mostly in just comedies. The still very young Joaquin Phoenix also plays a great and quite big role in the movie.

It has some totally unforgettable moments in it, both comedy-wise as in its drama. It all makes this movie one of the most warm and subtle movies ever made. It doesn't try to be funny, it doesn't try to be melodramatic. The end result of it all is an extremely well balanced and crafted mix of drama and comedy that works on both levels. You can watch this movie as a drama or as a comedy, so fans of both the genre will be pleased with this movie that surely does not disappoint in any way.

An early subtle Ron Howard masterpiece, that is criminally underrated here on IMDb.

9/10

http://bobafett1138.blogspot.com/