Parenthood (1989)

Directed by Ron Howard. Starring Steve Martin, Mary Steenburgen, Jason Robards, Dianne Wiest, Tom Hulce, Rick Moranis, Harley Jane Kozak, Martha Plimpton, Keanu Reeves, Jasen Fisher, Joaquin Phoenix, Eileen Ryan, Helen Shaw, Dennis Dugan. [PG-13]

Ensemble comedy-drama of four different generations within the same family, focusing on the joys and struggles of parenting children (and dealing with their own parents). Sometimes funny, sometimes touching, consistently uneven; unusually perceptive at times, with a cavalcade of fine performances from its deep cast, but it’s a pity that the writers so often go for the cheap joke or easy resolution (at least two of the main story threads are wrapped up in a perfunctory, sitcom-ish fashion). Viewers with children of their own will recognize a number of aggravating details in dealing with offspring both young and old; those without will probably see the film as a two-hour advertisement for birth control. Script by Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mendel, and produced by Brian Grazer; along with director Howard, the four were parents to well over a dozen children among them, so every cringe was surely felt. Naturally, Clint Howard has a bit part; young Joaquin Phoenix was being credited as Leaf at this point in his career.

60/100