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From Amazon.co.uk
Ron Howard's 1989 hit, written by fellow family men Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel (Splash, A League of Their Own), is an original comedy about contemporary life and the eternal responsibilities of raising children. Steve Martin has never been better than as a dedicated husband and father trying (and inevitably failing, as do most of us) to balance the demands of his kids and his job. The actor, like his character, throws himself into the part quite touchingly, particularly in a scene where a hired clown fails to show up at a children's party and Martin's character unabashedly provides the entertainment. Good as Martin is, this is actually an ensemble piece with numerous actors playing members of the same family, with cross-generational joys and disappointments in the air--and parents in conflict, children in love and so on. Jason Robards is very good as a patriarch who finally accepts the reality that the son he adores (Tom Hulce) is a major screw-up. --Tom Keogh, Amazon.com
Product Description
The trials and tribulations of family life, as seen through the eyes of three generations. Gil Buckman (Steve Martin) is a father rather too determined to give his kids the love and care which had been withheld from him as a child. Meanwhile, his Yuppie brother-in-law Nathan (Rick Moranis) is preparing his 3-year-old daughter for life in the fast lane by an accelerated learning programme which causes her to miss out on the more basic joys of childhood. Gil's sister Helen (Dianne Wiest), a single parent, struggles to control her uncommunicative son and wild daughter, while black sheep of the family Larry (Tom Hulce) returns to sponge off his father Frank (Jason Robards) in order to pay off gambling debts.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
Anyone who's a parent will find themselves in this film. We see the lives of four different siblings (two brothers, two sisters) and how they bring up their children. One (Steve Martin) tries his best to be the father his never was: to be engaged with his children, supportive and attentive but struggling to balance this with work. Another (Rick Moranis) hothouses his daughter. Dianne Wiest is a single working mother trying to bring up two teenagers. Tom Hulce adopts yet another approach. So four different styles, four different ways of bringing up children, balancing home and work. And endless observations of the wonder and challenge of family life. The film also explores the relationships between the different siblings, their partners, their parents. Brilliantly observed, very funny, wonderfully touching - a gem. Essential viewing for anyone who is a parent, or who wants to get an insight into how families really work.
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:VHS Tape
One of Steve Martin's best mainstream rather than strictly comedic offerings, he stars with a terrific cast of actors who all serve to make this a wonderfully amusing and timeless movie. The main theme of the movie is obvious by the title use but it touches on other themes such as childrens relationships with other children and personality / learning differences, amongst others. It has some truly memorable moments of hilarity including an incident that involves an electrical blackout and an unexpected classroom interuption. I find it hard to believe that any one could not enjoy this movie as it has universal themes that no doubt have been used repeatedly but seldom to this effect. It is not contrived, manipulative of its audience or overdone in any way and of all the videos in my personal collection, this is the one I have found myself able to watch the most often. Excellent performances from Dianne Weist, Martha Plimpton and Rick Moranis and watch out for Keanu Reeves playing a sterotypical role with maximum effect and a very young Joaquin Phoenix. (known then as Leaf)
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Mr. T. COLEMAN
VINE™ VOICE
Format:DVD
"Parenthood" is a wonderful experience, because it does what comedy (at it's peak) does best: tell us the truth, with all it's humour and aching.
Essentially the plot is basic: Steve Martin's extended families encounter their various trials and joys in trying to raise their kids. But the plot isn't the real driving force here - it's the beautifully observed characters, written with reality and acted with integrity, that elevate the piece. Jason Robards is great as the emotionally conservative father with a soft spot for his tearaway youngest; Dianne Wiest as a single mother whose brave face keeps slipping; Rick Moranis as the ultimate competitive father; and of course Steve Martin as the Everyman who Doesn't-Want-to-Turn-Out-Like-My-Father. The way the script keeps shifting gears between the light hearted good times families enjoy through to the deep undercurrent of perpetual pathos explodes family life better than almost any film you care to mention.
Some may find parts of the film a little too sugary, and although I can understand this view (we all hate sentimentality dribbling on genuine depictions of love) I'd have to disagree: the film doesn't end with a neat "everything is always sunny" denoument. The moral, ultimately, is that the when you get up close, everyone in a family is "dysfunctional" on some level, but that doesn't stop them being your family, and it doesn't stop you loving them.
Essentially the plot is basic: Steve Martin's extended families encounter their various trials and joys in trying to raise their kids. But the plot isn't the real driving force here - it's the beautifully observed characters, written with reality and acted with integrity, that elevate the piece. Jason Robards is great as the emotionally conservative father with a soft spot for his tearaway youngest; Dianne Wiest as a single mother whose brave face keeps slipping; Rick Moranis as the ultimate competitive father; and of course Steve Martin as the Everyman who Doesn't-Want-to-Turn-Out-Like-My-Father. The way the script keeps shifting gears between the light hearted good times families enjoy through to the deep undercurrent of perpetual pathos explodes family life better than almost any film you care to mention.
Some may find parts of the film a little too sugary, and although I can understand this view (we all hate sentimentality dribbling on genuine depictions of love) I'd have to disagree: the film doesn't end with a neat "everything is always sunny" denoument. The moral, ultimately, is that the when you get up close, everyone in a family is "dysfunctional" on some level, but that doesn't stop them being your family, and it doesn't stop you loving them.
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4.3 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Funny film
I didn't think I was gong to enjoy this film - but watched it with friends and thoroughly enjoyed it - learned a few surprises about parenthood too. Read more
Published 7 days ago by Mirabelle
1.0 out of 5 stars
Don't order !
Unfortunately not playable due to area restrictions. Do not order if you live in Europe. A good film that needs to be ordered from an appropriate site
Published 11 days ago by Will
4.0 out of 5 stars
ONE OF RON HOWARDS BEST.
I`m not a massive fan of either Ron Howard films or kids for that matter but the kids in this film are not overly cute in any sickening way,the film has a great cast & a few good... Read more
Published 16 months ago by Mr. E. A. Dobson
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of my top five favorite films ever
I love this film.The cast,the directing the script and the situations. This film doesnt have a single strand plot,more situations that we can all relate to with all the different... Read more
Published 22 months ago by D. Mccaffrey
3.0 out of 5 stars
Packaging spoilt gift.
A fantastic film. So good, that I bought two more as gifts for my children. Sadly, they both came with DVD outer sleeves entirely in German. Read more
Published on 9 May 2011 by davidS
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good movie, but the aspect ratio is 4:3
Anyone planning on ordering this should be aware that despite Amazon saying it's 16:9, it's really 4:3 full frame. Read more
Published on 2 April 2011 by Raymond
4.0 out of 5 stars
Funny & a bit scary if you have kids
It is a funny family movie with laugh out loud moments. It is a warm classic, it feels familiar like an old friend. Read more
Published on 12 May 2010 by Saare De Sousa Tina
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great film with Steve Martin at his best
This was Steve Martin at his best before in the words of Denis Pennis "Why are you not funny anymore? Read more
Published on 22 Feb 2010 by brentdavids
5.0 out of 5 stars
great film
A great film, well worth watching. It is funny and all the family will love it.
Published on 22 Dec 2009 by Ms. K. Q. Hyland
5.0 out of 5 stars
Should be in everybody's top ten
Very clean wholseome family enteretainment although I suspect our American friends are trying to pass off a succesful group of families as somehow dysfunctional. Read more
Published on 8 May 2009 by I. D. Clark
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