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Parenthood
Parenthood is a job for life. It never ends. You don’t cross
the finish line when you turn fifty, or your child turns 21. Once you’re a
parent, you’re a parent for life. So, it’s something that shouldn’t be entered
into lightly. At the time I wrote this review, I wasn't a parent yet, so I only share my understanding of what it
is from learning from my own parents and the other parents I know. So for a
long time, this film has taught me what parenthood is all about.
The movie “Parenthood” is a perfect blend of drama and
comedy, wrapped into about a two hour film and featuring a large ensemble cast;
twelve major characters are portrayed, and many, supporting characters also
figure. Names lend themselves, such as Steve Martin, Diane Wist, Rick Moranis,
Martha Plimpton and Keanu Reeves! An interesting mix of actors to be sure, and
they play characters you’ve seen them play before, and who you haven’t seen
them play either. The characters drive this film, and all of them are connected
through one large extended family.
Steven Martin’s is cast as Gil Buckman, the central
character; a devoted father of three who wants the best for his family. He
makes an extra commitment to his nine year old son, who’s struggling with some
emotional challenges. Then there’s Gil’s
sister Helen. A single mum with two kids; one of them a rebellious, passionate
and love-obsessed teenage girl; the other a juvenile son who only says three
words to his mum a day. Continuing with the siblings are Susan, a successful,
academic woman married to Nathan, a man consumed with the educational
upbringing of his four year old daughter. And finally, there's Larry; the
youngest of the four siblings and the black sheep of the family. He shows up
early in the film after a long absence, with a child in tow, and appears to
have changed from the young man who made all the mistakes and only asked for
money. He appears to have changed,
but has he?
The story moves between all the characters quickly, and
skilfully and entertainingly manages to spend just enough time with each of
them so all of their stories are told. You might think with so many characters
it would be a hard film to follow, and you’d have to watch the move several
times to piece it all together. But that’s just not the case with “Parenthood”.
If you’re like me, the only reason you might watch it more than once is simply
to relish in how terrific it is. The characters are familiar and relatable, but
each of their experiences are unique, as they navigate their way through
significant turning points in their life.
Whether you are a parent, a child or somewhere in between, I
believe everyone can relate to this movie. We can all identify ourselves in the
characters on screen, which hold a place in all the generations we assume the
position of sooner or later; father, mother, child, sister, brother and
grandparent. Each of these roles is different, challenging and special in its
own way. That’s what the movie portrays so well… that most of us are playing
more than one of these roles at the one time, and without realising it, we move
between each role because it’s our duty. And it’s one hell of a rollercoaster
ride.
Parenthood; rewarding, challenging, fulfilling, and a great
movie!
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