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| Parenthood [1990] (REGION 1) (NTSC) | ![Parenthood [1990] (REGION 1) (NTSC)](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/516629M5V1L._SL160_.jpg)
 enlarge | Director: Ron Howard
Actors: Steve Martin, Dianne Wiest, Dennis Dugan, Mary Steenburgen, Paul Linke
Studio: Universal Studios
Category: DVD
Buy New: £5.45
Buy New/Used from £4.92
Avg. Customer Rating:  (6 reviews)
Sales Rank: 87206
Format: Closed-captioned, Colour, Dvd-video, Full Screen, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), French (Original Language), English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled)
Media: DVD
Running Time: 124 minutes
Number Of Items: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
DVD Layers: 1
DVD Sides: 1
Picture Format: Pan & Scan
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.3 x 0.6
MPN: MCAD20174D
ISBN: 0783225962
UPC: 025192017421
EAN: 9780783225968
ASIN: 0783225962
Release Date: March 31, 1998
Theatrical Release Date: August 2, 1989
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.co.uk Review
Ron Howard's 1989 hit, written by fellow family men Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel (Splash, A League of Their Own), is an original comedy about contemporary life and the eternal responsibilities of raising children. Steve Martin has never been better than as a dedicated husband and father trying (and inevitably failing, as do most of us) to balance the demands of his kids and his job. The actor, like his character, throws himself into the part quite touchingly, particularly in a scene where a hired clown fails to show up at a children's party and Martin's character unabashedly provides the entertainment. Good as Martin is, this is actually an ensemble piece with numerous actors playing members of the same family, with cross-generational joys and disappointments in the air--and parents in conflict, children in love and so on. Jason Robards is very good as a patriarch who finally accepts the reality that the son he adores (Tom Hulce) is a major screw-up. --Tom Keogh, Amazon.com
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| Customer Reviews: Read 1 more reviews...
 An excellent film with an a superb cast July 20, 2008
I used to have this on video years ago and have finally bought this on DVD and it's a fresh today as it was 18 years ago.
This is a cast of all ages from the late Jason Robards to Steve Martin to Diane Wiest to Keanu Reeves to River Pheonix (credited as Leaf Pheonix).
This is probably the best all-round performance that I've seen by Steve Martin, the entire cast put in excellent performances with a good variety of humour and drama which is often funny, touching and moving.
Ron Howard directs this very well indeed giving a large cast a good amount of screen time.
This is essentially a life film with a good amount of humour thrown in for good measure showing a wide variety of characters from one family all of whom have their good and bad sides to them, showing their struggles with day to day life, but also the good times too.
This has always been a joy to watch and has the feel of films like Steel Magnolias, Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle stop Cafe and films like that, well worth checking out, highly recommended.
Warm Hearted Comedy December 23, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
One of the things I like about this movie is its...lack of obnoxiousness. Other comedies throw their scenes in your face with little tact and no subtlety, but not so with this movie. Not to say that it isn't funny. It's absolutely hilarious! But the main thing that appeals to me about Parenthood is the warm heart that is at the centre of it all. These characters have nuanced, complicated, and not overly dramatic problems. Just like REAL PEOPLE, and unlike many of the one-faceted characters seen in movies today.
And what better actor to play Gil than Steve Martin? A comedic genius, Martin is capable of playing anything from slimy to sincere, conforming perfectly to his role, and it helps that he's not a cynic. Also watch for great appearances by Tom Hulce, perhaps best known as Amadeus (poor guy, where'd his career go?) and a very young Joaquin Phoenix as Gary.
 Ron Howard's master class in making an ensemble comedy May 30, 2007
"Parenthood" is a wonderful experience, because it does what comedy (at it's peak) does best: tell us the truth, with all it's humour and aching.
Essentially the plot is basic: Steve Martin's extended families encounter their various trials and joys in trying to raise their kids. But the plot isn't the real driving force here - it's the beautifully observed characters, written with reality and acted with integrity, that elevate the piece. Jason Robards is great as the emotionally conservative father with a soft spot for his tearaway youngest; Dianne Wiest as a single mother whose brave face keeps slipping; Rick Moranis as the ultimate competitive father; and of course Steve Martin as the Everyman who Doesn't-Want-to-Turn-Out-Like-My-Father. The way the script keeps shifting gears between the light hearted good times families enjoy through to the deep undercurrent of perpetual pathos explodes family life better than almost any film you care to mention.
Some may find parts of the film a little too sugary, and although I can understand this view (we all hate sentimentality dribbling on genuine depictions of love) I'd have to disagree: the film doesn't end with a neat "everything is always sunny" denoument. The moral, ultimately, is that the when you get up close, everyone in a family is "dysfunctional" on some level, but that doesn't stop them being your family, and it doesn't stop you loving them.
Pathos vs Belly Laughs = you decide May 3, 2004
4 out of 7 found this review helpful
Ron Howard rarely makes a duff film, and this is one of his very best. And Steve Martin's best role (yes, even better than the Jerk) as well as Keanu Reeves only good film. The trials and tribulations of an extended family, played out for maximum human emotion by an ensemble of quality actors
Essential viewing for parents and parents to be June 7, 2002
12 out of 13 found this review helpful
Anyone who's a parent will find themselves in this film. We see the lives of four different siblings (two brothers, two sisters) and how they bring up their children. One (Steve Martin) tries his best to be the father his never was: to be engaged with his children, supportive and attentive but struggling to balance this with work. Another (Rick Moranis) hothouses his daughter. Dianne Wiest is a single working mother trying to bring up two teenagers. Tom Hulce adopts yet another approach. So four different styles, four different ways of bringing up children, balancing home and work. And endless observations of the wonder and challenge of family life. The film also explores the relationships between the different siblings, their partners, their parents. Brilliantly observed, very funny, wonderfully touching - a gem. Essential viewing for anyone who is a parent, or who wants to get an insight into how families really work.
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