Parenthood (1989)

[baumer]

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[baumer]

I have watched this film at least a dozen times and never fail to be moved by its insightful treatment of the lives of this extended family. On reflection, it is mainly about fathers and their relationship with their spouses and children with all the problems and challenges fatherhood can bring, but told with such a deft empathic hand that I am stunnned that this film does not appear in your 100 Best Films. It is Steve Martin at his very best - both funny and humanly vulnerable - and with a cast of near-perfect performances from his fellow co-stars. The scene where Diane Wiest's young son contacts his estranged father to try to arrange for a visit never fails to make me weep, or the line Keanu Reeves delivers with such brilliant pathos ... something like "you have to have a licence for almost anything but you don't have to have a licence to become a father". This has one of the best casts ever assembled and it has a brilliant behind the scenes team. Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel had one of the best 4 picture runs for any writing team. Parenthood, City Slickers, Mr. Saturday Night and A League of Their Own are all beautifully written films and the fact that they don't (to the best of my knowledge) have an Oscar nomination to their name is ridiculous. This is, imo, Ron Howards best film.I find this film flawless and I can't say that about many films!10/10

[cozmeesah]

One of my favorite movies of all time. Insane rewatchability.