Steve Martinhood (The Movie Parenthood) Writers Cramp is the Suck!

Films can be a great medium for sociologists to analyse and gain a better understanding of different groups in a society. This is especially true as “films are created by and about people in particular social and historical contexts”. (Robert J. Brym) The 1989 film “Parenthood“, which was nominated for 2 Oscars, excelled at this by offering several distinct snapshots at family life Both the parents and the children were characterised extremely well and their struggles and conflicts were evaluated over the course of the movie. Each of these stories showed many insights on the modern family life and provided commentary on what it really means to be a parent.

The main family in the movie was the most historically standard, a nuclear family, where both parents are living with their own children in the same house. The father in this case is Gil Buckman, played by the extremely entertaining Steve Martin. Gil is an average man, who simply hoped to not raise his children the same way his father Frank raised himself. This was explained in the very opening scene which was a flashback to how as a child he was left by his father at a baseball game to be watched by the usher. Gil is very loving and caring and always wants to be there for his kids, in a positive fashion however in doing this he gets extremely uptight and worried. This new problem transfers to his older son Kevin and Gil tries his hardest to help him through his problems. This leads to some really funny situations such as when he pretends to be cowboy Dan at Kevin’s birthday party. However it also leads to one of the movies main messages. Gil learns that “Life is like a rollercoaster” and even though there are some really low points, there's also amazing high points, but overall the craziness and excitement is the adrenaline rush needed to keep life exciting and worth living.

Another family shown is that of Gil’s sister Helen Buckman and her sons and daughters. This is much different as she is a single mother. Single parent families are very common now due to a very high divorce rate, and so her stories are very emotional, but the tie in with Keanu Reeves also makes it really funny. First, her son who has a lack of a father figure is very disobedient and delinquent (Lief - Joaquin- Phoenix plays him, I guess he also must have had some issues..) He wants to meet his father really badly, however is turned down and feels like there is nowhere to turn to. However Helen’s daughter Julie is thinking of committing to Tod, (Keanu - before entering the Matrix ---> This movie came out the same year as Bill and Ted‘s EXCELLENT adventure, which explains a lot) and has her own problems in straightening out that relationship. Tod however proves to be an insightful man and helps young Garry, in an extremely brilliant scene. “That is one messed up little dude!” He also says “You know, Mrs. Buckman, you need a license to buy a dog, or drive a car. Hell, you need a license to catch a fish! But they'll let any butt-reaming asshole be a father.” This speech brings up a really strong point, why is it that there is no test to become a parent. I guess this is because it is just a natural part of life, or maybe too taboo, or low fertilities. However, this is another main idea of the movie, that parents are just people too and even though they must shoulder a lot of responsibility, they aren’t going to be perfect. Even Rick Morannis’s extremely smart (though thankfully not shrunk) daughter seemed to have some social issues in the film. He was so focussed on her education that he lost track of her and his wife’s feelings.

Finally, Gil’s troubled brother Larry was a significant plot in the movie. He was younger then the rest of the family, however had the largest set of problems. He was thousands of dollars in debt from gambling, and had just realized he had a son of his own, named “cool!” His father Frank was then forced with the choice of trying to help him, a huge financial burden, or leave him with the risk of being killed. In the end Frank decides to bail him out, but make him learn his business and one day take over the company. However in the end Larry leaves on another get rich quest and cool is left to live with his grandpa. In one speech Frank explains how being a parent doesn’t just end when the children grow up, it lasts forever. You can’t just expect to abandon your children when they reach 18, they will always be your children. The roles may continue to change, and perhaps eventually reverse with the child becoming the caregiver, however you will always be connected, through all the ups and downs as described earlier.

In conclusion, I think the movie Parenthood humorously highlights the true facts about being a parent. In the end, there really is no “perfect” parent, or child. It shows that families last forever, and the life cycle will always continue and stick together for better or worse, through all the ups and downs. Family is one of the most important institutions in society and is extremely important to look at. This movie is definitely underlooked, because it brings both humour and a brilliant message to the audience.