Parenthood (1989)

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1. 

   Siskoid

   I don't think I'd seen Parenthood since it came out, and had it all twisted up in my mind with the ill-fated TV series headed by Ed Bagley Jr. in the Steve Martin role (and baby Leonardo DiCaprio in the baby Joaquin Phoenix role - crazy), but I'd retained a lot more than I thought I would. Though there's a weaving of many plots exploring what it means to be a parent, across three generations of the Buchmann family, it's really a collection of funny and dramatic vignette, with cracking, memorable lines, and touching characters. This was my first exposure to Dianne Wiest back in the day, and she immediately melted my heart, in no small part because the character has a lot of my own single mom in her. Steve Martin is funny as a nervous wreck who thinks he's screwing up his kids. Rick Moranis is building a robot out of his little girl, but both he and Jason Robards' cold patriarch find ways to be sympathetic. Keanu Reeves plays one of his Ted-like morons, but might be the wisest character in the piece. Director Ron Howard makes this a family affair on his end as well by casting his father, brother and daughter (watch for tiny Dallas in the crowd near the end). Though my particular life path hasn't made me a parent, I completely connected with this movie (most people, even if don't have kids, probably were SOMEONE's kid once). It amused me and it touched me. One of the pillars of the dramedy genre. 4 years 8 months ago
2. 

   Earring72

   Personal favorite of mine as a teenager. Good memories. Saw it with my wife again, for the first time in 25 years and again LOVED it. Very heartwarming comedy drama, well acted and very funny. 5 years 7 months ago
3. 

   Zeltaebar

   Parenthood just ended on my TV-screen and I am blown away by how good it was. This must be one of the most underrated movies of the 80s. I hadn't even heard about it before. The only reason why I bought it was because it was an 80s movie with Steve Martin, and I kind of like Steve Martin :-) So big surprise then that this is his career highlight. A movie both funny, profound and deeply moving. 11 years 10 months ago

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