Parenthood (1989)

July 31, 2024 8:13 PM

Four Buckman siblings attempt to raise their children - each in their own different style - and deal with the joys and sorrows that the process brings.

Just Watch listing (on HBO Max in the US currently).

posted by skycrashesdown (8 comments total)

I haven't seen this in ages, but I remember it as being really good and watchable. IIRC it was marketed as primarily a Steve Martin movie, but it actually has a great ensemble cast and storyline. I don't think I actually knew (or remembered at least) that Ron Howard directed, but that tracks - a pretty warm-hearted family dramedy, well-acted and directed.
posted by Pedantzilla at 6:31 AM on August 1 [2 favorites]

The thing I remember the most is how the movie sets the Keanu Reeves character up to be a spacey idiot, then establishes that while he might be hip deep in his dumbass young person era in some ways, he is rich with kindness and empathy.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 8:30 AM on August 1 [8 favorites]

I love that movie, and Pedantzilla is absolutely right about the ensemble cast. I believe Dianne Wiest got her first Oscar nomination for her performance, and she deserved it; I loved her mix of delicacy and fury.

Also, I love a good montage, so I will never not cry at the ending.
posted by dlugoczaj at 11:10 AM on August 1 [2 favorites]

Haven't seen it since it came out, deeply loved it, still remember many scenes but the Rick Moranis singing Close to You has stuck with me especially... having said that I just googled that scene and it was not as I remembered! Maybe I need to watch it in the context of the movie?
posted by latkes at 8:49 PM on August 7 [1 favorite]

This is such a fabulous movie -- so many great parts, but I especially love "You worry too much. You always have." We repeat that a lot in my family.
posted by cider at 11:03 AM on August 9 [1 favorite]

This is one of those movies that really should be playing on cable all the time.
"He likes to butt things with his head."
"You must be so proud."

Mary Steenburgen should be listed in the tags!
posted by soelo at 8:45 AM on August 12 [1 favorite]

I liked this movie a lot when it came out, which was well before I had my own four (!) children, the first of whom was born in 2001. As I moved through the stages of parenthood, I've resonated with different parts of it: the parents all around me trying to create the Optimized Baby a la Rick Moranis and spouse; Steve Martin's characters fears for his kids' future; the great Keanu Reeves moment mentioned up-thread; Jason Robards' despair that his grown son, played by Tom Hulce, is not going to change his ways.

So many great actors, too.

I also love the ending montage. The casual way Steve Martin is changing the baby while chatting is great. When my sister in law had her baby. I visited her in the hospital. The baby needed a diaper, and she started to get up, and I said, "No, no let me." I'd had three infants by then, and I cleaned up the baby, got a new diaper and outfit on, all very casually, only to look up to see my sis-in-law staring at me. "That was so quick." I told her that in no time at all she'd be just as good at it. One thing you are never lacking with a baby around is opportunities to practice changing them.

I will have to watch this movie again.
posted by Well I never at 8:58 PM on August 29 [2 favorites]

I did re-watch it last night. I had forgotten the fat jokes, the sexism, the really bad parenting punctuated with good moments. On the other hand, I'd never really put together before how Steve Martin's character is still dealing with the anxiety that their son is also dealing with.
posted by Well I never at 7:08 PM on August 30 [1 favorite]