IMDb > Parents (1989)
Parents
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips
Videos
Parents (1989) -- In this bizarre and very black comedy set in 1950s suburbia, Michael Laemle comes to suspect that his conventional parents have a little secret which they have kept from him.

Overview

User Rating:
6.1/10   1,588 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 2% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Bob Balaban
Writer:
Christopher Hawthorne (writer)
Contact:
View company contact information for Parents on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
27 January 1989 (USA) more
Genre:
Comedy | Drama | Horror | Mystery more
Tagline:
There's A New Name For Terror...
Plot:
A young boy living in 1950s suburbia begins to wonder where his parents get their meat from... full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
more
Awards:
1 win & 2 nominations more
User Comments:
Parenting, horror movie style! more (55 total)

Cast

  (Complete credited cast)

Randy Quaid ... Nick Laemle
Mary Beth Hurt ... Lily Laemle
Sandy Dennis ... Millie Dew
Bryan Madorsky ... Michael Laemle
Juno Mills Cockell ... Sheila Zellner (as Juno Mills-Cockell)
Kathryn Grody ... Miss Baxter
Deborah Rush ... Mrs. Gladys Zellner
Graham Jarvis ... Mr. Zellner
Helen Carscallen ... Grandmother
Warren Van Evera ... Grandfather
Wayne Robson ... Lab Attendant
Uriel Byfield ... Little Boy
Mariah Balaban ... Little Girl
Larry Palef ... Announcer
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Runtime:
81 min
Country:
Canada | USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Dolby
Certification:
Germany:16 | Canada:R | Canada:R (Ontario) | Iceland:16 | USA:R (certificate #29224) | Australia:M | UK:18
Filming Locations:
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The film's appropriately bizarre title for its Germany release was 'Daddy ist ein Kannibale', or 'Daddy is a Cannibal!' more
Movie Connections:
References Pink Floyd The Wall (1982) more
Soundtrack:
CONTINENTAL CUISINE more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
2 out of 2 people found the following comment useful.
Parenting, horror movie style!, 11 December 2006
6/10
Author: The_Void from Beverley Hills, England

This odd little cult gem works thanks to the light-weight style and fairly original plot premise. There's not a great deal of successful horror films that take place from a child's premise, but this one mostly works and that is thanks in part to a good, and more importantly; non-irritating, lead performance from child actor Bryan Madorsky, in his only ever film. The film works from the idea of a child looking at his parents' lives. For many kids, things such as 'mum and dad's room' will be off-limits, and Parents capitalises on that mystery with an overblown plot line, which seems to focus on what's being put out at meal times. We follow Michael Laemie; a rather odd young kid who lives with his mum and dad in suburbia. His only friend is the naughty Sheila Zellner, who seems to agree with his assessment of parents. Michael also suffers from vivid nightmares, and it's not long before his increasingly tentative relationship with his parents comes to the attention of his teacher and later the school social worker. Just what is it that mum is serving up for dinner?

Director Bob Balaban keeps things ticking over with a constant sense of unease, and by keeping the mystery interesting enough for the audience to want to find out what's going to happen. Parents features good performances from the central actors. Randy Quaid sticks out the most as the father, and looks suitably creepy in his glasses and yellow cardigan. Mary Beth Hurt is also good alongside Quaid, and the pair has some chemistry together. I've already mentioned Bryan Madorsky, and he acts well alongside Juno Mills Cockell. The soundtrack is also of note, and the poppy songs are good in that they create the right sort of tone for the movie. The main problem with the film is that despite all the tension that the director seems so keen on instilling throughout; the plot twist is predictable from the start. I was really hoping that there'd be more to it than it seemed, and the fact that there wasn't means the film becomes something of a disappointment. Still, Parents is an enjoyable viewing, and therefore well worth watching. I will say, however, that if you want a better take on a similar theme - see Brian Yuzna's 'Society'.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (55 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Parents (1989)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
It's on youtube rhps2000
Great Movie! Deserves a higher rating! M-Petri
2 thoughts diespammerdie
fingernails tib_snow
This movie was great! AngelGirL3000
Aspect Ratio on DVD mud-8
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
American Beauty Palindromes Storytelling If.... Paper Boys
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Comedy section IMDb Canada section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.