Search - Parenthood

This feel-good ensemble comedy tracks a quartet of suburban siblings and their families over the course of a single summer. Hardworking Gil Buckman (Steve Martin) and his stay-at-home wife, Karen (Mary Steeenburgen), have just a few months to help their oldest son, Kevin (Jasen Fisher), overcome his high-strung behavior problems before he'll be relegated to special-education classes. Gil's difficult relationship with his own father, Frank (Jason Robards), has led him to become a would-be super-dad for his three kids, so he takes his son's difficulties more than a little personally. Gil's sister, Helen (Dianne Wiest), is trying to raise a moody, adolescent son (Leaf Phoenix) and an independent-minded daughter (Martha Plimpton) with no help from her well-off ex-husband, who's more interested in his new wife and family. Gil and Helen's sister, Susan (Harley Jane Kozak), meanwhile, must participate in the too-scripted Big Life Plans of her anal-retentive husband, Nathan (Rick Moranis), whose overachiever zeal infects even their toddler daughter. When long-lost brother Larry (Tom Hulce) show up with yet another get-rich-quick scheme, he brings with him a surprise addition to the family. Screenwriters Babaloo Mandel, Lowell Ganz, and Ron Howard negotiate their varied subplots with a deftness and comedic touch that transforms this conflicted clan into a suburban everyfamily. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide

Steve Martin - Gil Buckman
Mary Steenburgen - Karen Buckman
Dianne Wiest - Helen
Jason Robards, Jr. - Frank Buckman
Rick Moranis - Nathan

1989	Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Com (nominee)	Golden Globe	Steve Martin
1989	Best Supporting Actress (nominee)	Golden Globe	Dianne Wiest
1989	Best Original Song (nominee)	Golden Globe	Randy Newman
1989	Best Song (nominee)	Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie	Randy Newman
1989	Best Supporting Actress (nominee)	Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie	Dianne Wiest

Ron Howard's 1989 comedic ode to family life comes to DVD with this paltry release. Fans ought to be disappointed to discover that the disc's features are limited to interactive menus, production notes, and talent bios, but it's the absence of a widescreen transfer in favor of a lone standard 1.33:1 pan-and-scan transfer that really makes the Parenthood DVD a letdown. Both the English and French soundtracks are in Dolby Digital Surround, which is more than one would expect based on the other features. Nonetheless, only those who are too impatient enough to sit tight in hopes of an updated edition will want to check this one out. Spanish subtitles are also available. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide

These movies have the touch and feel of Parenthood...
35	Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit (PG)
These movies have the subject or theme of Parenthood...
16	For Keeps (PG-13)
68	Raising Arizona (PG-13)
6	Immediate Family (PG-13)
3	Micki and Maude (PG-13)
6	Gas Food Lodging (R)
S	Teen Mothers (R)
S	Silence of the Heart (NR)
9	East of Eden (PG)
1	The Year My Voice Broke (PG-13)
2	Just Another Girl on the I.R.T. (R)
39	Baby Boom (PG)
8	Daddy (NR)
8	She's Out of Control (PG)
31	She's Having a Baby (PG-13)
3	Big Girls Don't Cry... They Get Even (PG)
These movies share cast/crew with Parenthood...
10	The Paper (R)
38	Splash (PG)
18	Gung Ho (PG-13)
45	Far and Away (PG-13)
3	Grand Theft Auto (PG)
79	Cocoon (PG-13)
30	L.A. Story [Widescreen] (PG-13)
45	Night Shift (R)
3	Melvin and Howard (R)
S	Eat My Dust (PG)
45	My Blue Heaven (PG-13)
8	Mr. Saturday Night (R)
15	The Music Man (G)
10	A Boy and His Dog [Special Edition] (R)
112	When Harry Met Sally (R)
51	Roxanne [Widescreen/Fullscreen] (PG)
2	Man Friday/Raise the Titanic (PG)
70	Backdraft (R)
41	The Man with Two Brains (R)
47	Philadelphia (PG-13)
These movies are similar to Parenthood...
7	Father of the Bride (NR)
61	Father of the Bride (PG)
13	Father's Little Dividend (NR)
15	Kramer vs. Kramer (PG)
34	Mr. Mom (PG)
70	National Lampoon's Vacation (R)
56	Planes, Trains and Automobiles (R)
4	Twister (PG-13)
53	Mrs. Doubtfire [Widescreen] (PG-13)
8	Daddy (NR)
6	Bye, Bye Love (PG-13)
8	Cold Comfort Farm (PG)
26	Home for the Holidays (PG-13)
130	Cheaper By the Dozen (PG)
60	The Upside of Anger (R)
S	A Brand New Life (NR)