Parenthood **** (1989, Steve Martin, Tom Hulce, Rick Moranis, Martha Plimpton, Keanu Reeves, Jason Robards, Mary Steenburgen, Dianne Wiest) – Classic Movie Review 5870

Director Ron Howard’s 1989 comedy drama about the dysfunctional Buckman family provides an excellent star role for Steve Martin as US mid-western father Gil, who tries to be a good husband to wife Karen (Mary Steenburgen) and dad to three rather odd children, but can’t live up to his own father Frank (Jason Robards).

His divorced sister Helen (Dianne Wiest) is struggling with a tearaway teenager, who tears away with young hippy Tod (Keanu Reeves) and his younger brother Larry (Tom Hulce) turns up with an illegitimate child.

Martin’s delightfully funny performance sets the tone for the starry, on-form cast, though Robards steals every scene he appears in – at least till Grandma (Helen Shaw) turns up at the end. Though Ron (Far and Away, Apollo 13, The Da Vinci Code) Howard’s comedy is too lightweight and lacks Woody Allen’s edge, it still engages, raises the spirits and is very good fun, though.

There are three keys to this kind of movie. With the direction and performances smooth and polished, it all comes down to the script – it’s by the clever and amusing Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel.

Also in the cast are Rick Moranis, Martha Plimpton, Harley [Jane] Kozak, Dennis Dugan, Eileen Ryan, Jasen Fisher, Paul Linke. Leaf Phoenix [Joaquin Phoenix], Lowell Ganz, Rance Howard, Clint Howard, Alisan Porter, Ivyann Schwan, Paul Keeley, Todd Hallowell, Richard Kuhlman, and Max Elliott Slade.

The spinoff TV series with Ed Begley Jr ran just one season and 12 episodes (1990–1991). Slade recreated his role as Kevin Buckman and Leonardo DiCaprio took over from Phoenix as Garry Buckman. It predates DiCaprio’s film debut in Critters 3.

© Derek Winnert 2017 Classic Movie Review 5870

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