Year of Release: 1989
Director: Ron Howard
Starring: Steve Martin, Mary Steenburgen, Dianne Wiest, Jason Robards, Tom Hulce, Rick Moranis, Harley Jane Kozak, Keanu Reeves, Martha Plimpton, Dennis Dugan, Eileen Ryan, Alisan Porter, Ivyann Schwan
Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 6
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Synopsis and Review
Director Ron Howard cemented his directorial career in the 1980s, with a string of big commercial hits, including "Splash", "Cocoon", "Gung Ho", "Willow", and "Parenthood". His usual collaborators, Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel (who wrote "Splash" and "Gung Ho", and who would reunite with him again on "Ed TV") are responsible for the script. The narrative focuses on the life of Gil Buckman, a hard working married man, with a large family, including his siblings Helen, Susan, and the troublesome Larry, his parents Frank and Marilyn, and an array of children. Gil is trying to be supportive to one of his kids who has learning disabilities and suddenly realizes he and his wife have another child on the way, which added to the 3 they already have, creates more money woes on their part. Gil's sister Helen, recently divorced, is trying to do her best with her children. Julie is a rebellious teenager, already dating a young man by the name of Tod, who seems adrift, while her son Garry is going through puberty, is missing his father, and eventually comes to the realization that his father has moved on with his life, has a new family, and doesn't care about him or his sister. Susan is married to Nathan, who is domineering and is creating a sterile childhood for their daughter, while also alienating her in the process. She wants another child, but Nathan disagrees, which creates a massive rift between them. Larry shows up after being astray from the family for quite some time, always involved in quick rich schemes, and suddenly reappears, once again asking for money and with a small child. Gil's parents, Frank and Marilyn, have always bailed Larry out of all situations, much to the dismay of the other siblings. As the family navigates life, more unexpected challenges keep appearing.
If "Parenthood" appears to be a description for a TV Drama, well it eventually did become one (the TV Show lasted between 2010 and 2015). It's a film that illustrates the family dynamics of all these characters quite well, demonstrating the bonds that bring them all together, even if these characters feel at times in very different narratives. They all come across as somewhat stiff stereotypes, though some of these characters have more dimension than others. Steve Martin's Gil gets the lion share of character development, and Mr. Howard manages to give him enough of a stage for him to be both the charismatically funny entertainer, but also the parental figure who is torn between providing for his family and figuring out what his next professional step can be. The character that ends up having some actual depth, in the middle of all the noise created by this soap opera, is actually Dianne Wiest's Helen. She's having to deal with a daughter who is growing too fast, a son who is trying to figure out who he is, and an ex-husband who has no character or regard for his children. She's the one who is also the most humane, attempting to safeguard her children while also realizing that she's not hitting all the right notes. She also is plainly aware that her own personal life and feelings have been put on hold for her children. The film is watchable and plays smoothly like a Pilot for a TV Show - there's nothing particularly dark, even if Tom Hulce's character, Larry, walks closely in that direction. However this script doesn't go into unexpected territories, staying within the confines of the sanitized and acceptable family view. The cast is stacked and features solid performances from Steve Martin, Dianne Wiest, Mary Steenburgen, Jason Robards, Tom Hulce, Joaquin Phoenix, and Keanu Reeves. The production team is competent, including Randy Newman's score, Donald McAlpine's cinematography, and Todd Hallowell's production design. It's watchable and light in content as a feather, but a good opportunity to watch very talented actors working harmoniously.
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