MikePadgett.com

Parenthood

— The film that taught us that every family is dysfunctional in some way!”

• Director: Ron Howard
• United States, 1989
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My brother will probably back me up on this: Parenthood was one of the first VHS movies we ever saw as kids. Which probably explains why it surprises me fifteen or so years later as an adult: Father Of The Bride this ain’t. Instead, it’s a well written, well acted ensemble piece for everyone who’s ever got married, had kids or simply grown up.

And what an ensemble: a veritable family photo, if you will. Steve Martin and Rick Moranis do good straight turns. My heroine Mary Steenburgen, and Dianne Wiest holding it together. Jason Robards, the eternal Cheyenne, grumbling away.

And look at that layer of young stars there, in the next row: Keanu Reeves still stuck in the second gear of Bill and Ted, cranky Martha Plimpton, Joaquin (Leaf) Phoenix as a messed up kid who has definitely never heard of Johnny Cash.