Parenthood (1989)
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The film explores the diverse challenges and triumphs of four siblings navigating the complexities of family life and personal growth.
The story
The story follows the lives of the four Buckman siblings: Gil, Helen, Larry, and Susan. Gil, a sales executive, struggles to balance his career with the emotional needs of his three children while facing the pressures of a fourth pregnancy. His sister Helen, a divorced mother of two, navigates the complexities of her children's growing pains and her own romantic life. Susan, a teacher, deals with the tensions of her marriage and the desire for more children, while the youngest brother, Larry, is the family's black sheep, constantly seeking shortcuts to success. Together, the siblings and their parents navigate the messy, often humorous realities of modern family life.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
The film follows the Buckman siblings: Gil, Helen, Larry, and Susan. Gil struggles with his role as a father to three children while his wife is pregnant with a fourth, leading him to seek reconciliation with his own father, Frank. Helen deals with her son Garry's transition into puberty and her daughter Julie's impulsive marriage to a man named Tod. Susan faces a rift with her husband Nathan over their plans for children, eventually reconciling after a romantic gesture. Larry, the black sheep, faces a crisis involving gambling debts and a son named Cool, leading Frank to help him in a way that allows Larry to pursue a new path. The film concludes with a family reunion at the hospital as Helen gives birth to a new baby girl, showing the siblings and their children in various stages of life and growth.
- First release year
- 1989
- Runtime (minutes)
- 124
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Ron Howard
- Writers
- Lowell Ganz · screenplay; Babaloo Mandel · screenplay; Lowell Ganz · story; Babaloo Mandel · story; Ron Howard · story
- Cast and characters
- Steve Martin; Tom Hulce; Rick Moranis; Martha Plimpton; Keanu Reeves; Jason Robards; Mary Steenburgen; Dianne Wiest
- Genres
- coming-of-age; comedy-drama
- Themes
- family life; parenting; coming-of-age
- Tone and mood
- funny; thoughtfully crafted; poignant
- Premise and plot tags
- ensemble cast; dysfunctional families; midlife crisis
- Franchise connections
- Parenthood
- Reception
- The film received critical acclaim and was described as a funny and thoughtfully crafted look at family life. Critics noted its blend of humor and poignancy, though some critiqued its structure.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 92% · scale: approval rating · review count: 60; CinemaScore · score: A · scale: A+ to F
- Awards and nominations
- Academy Award · Best Supporting Actress · Nomination; Academy Award · Best Song for "I Love to See You Smile" · Nomination; American Film Institute · 100 Years...100 Laughs series · Nomination
- Production trivia
- Based on the real-life experiences of the producers and writers.; Adapted into two different television series in 1990 and 2010.; Filmed in and around Orlando, Florida.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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