Parenthood
DVD Cover for Parenthood (1989).
Directed by	Ron Howard
Produced by	Brian Grazer
Written by	Lowell Ganz Babaloo Mandel Ron Howard
Starring	Steve Martin Tom Hulce Rick Moranis Martha Plimpton Keanu Reeves Jason Robards Mary Steenburgen Dianne Wiest Helen Shaw Eileen Ryan Harley Jane Kozak Ivyann Schwan Joaquin Phoenix Dennis Dugan Jasen Fisher
Music by	Randy Newman
Cinematography	Donald McAlpine
Distributed by	Universal Pictures
Release date(s)	August 2, 1989
Running time	125 min.
Country	US
Language	English
All Movie Guide profile
IMDb profile

Parenthood is a 1989 film starring Steve Martin, Dianne Wiest, Dennis Dugan, Mary Steenburgen, Jason Robards, Rick Moranis, Tom Hulce, Martha Plimpton, Keanu Reeves, Harley Jane Kozak, Eileen Ryan, Helen Shaw, Jasen Fisher, Alisan Porter,Zachary LaVoy, Ivyann Schwan and Joaquin Phoenix (as Leaf Phoenix). Image File history File links Parenthood. ... DVD (also known as Digital Versatile Disc or Digital Video Disc) is a popular optical disc storage media format. ... Ronald William Howard (born March 1, 1954 in Duncan, Oklahoma) is an American actor, and an Academy Award winning film director, and producer, known for his roles on sitcoms, movies and television. ... Brian Grazer (born July 12, 1951, in Los Angeles, California) is a Jewish-American film and television producer who founded Imagine Entertainment with partner Ron Howard. ... Lowell Ganz (born August 31, 1948 in New York, New York) is an American screenwriter, television writer, and television producer. ... Marc Babaloo Mandel (born: October 13, 1949 in New York City) is an American writer. ... Ronald William Howard (born March 1, 1954 in Duncan, Oklahoma) is an American actor, and an Academy Award winning film director, and producer, known for his roles on sitcoms, movies and television. ... For other uses, see Steve Martin (disambiguation). ... Thomas Hulce (born December 6, 1953) is an Academy Award-nominated, Tony Award and Emmy Award-winning American actor and producer. ... Frederick Alan Rick Moranis (born April 18, 1953) is a Canadian actor, comedian and musician best known for his comedy work on SCTV and featured in several Hollywood films including Ghostbusters, Little Shop of Horrors, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, Spaceballs, and My Blue Heaven. ... Plimpton at the New York premiere of Miramaxs Kill Bill: Volume 1 Martha Plimpton (born Martha Carradine on November 16, 1970, in New York City) is former model turned actress who was born to famous actor parents Keith Carradine and Shelley Plimpton. ... Beirut, Lebanon Years active 1985 – Present Keanu Charles Reeves (pronounced in IPA: ) is an actor, born September 2, 1964 in Beirut, Lebanon, and raised in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Mary Steenburgen (IPA: ) (born February 8, 1953) is an Academy Award-winning American actress. ... Dianne Wiest (born March 28, 1948) is two-time Academy Award-winning, Golden Globe Award-winning, Emmy Award-winning and Bafta Award-nominated American actress in stage, television, and film, and has received several awards in her career. ... Eileen Ryan is a NYC-born (circa 1928) American actress who has appeared in a number of movies and TV series. ... Harley Jane Kozak (January 28, 1957) is an American actress and author. ... Ivyann Schwan (born November 14, 1983 in Seattle, Washington) is an actress who starred in the movies Parenthood and Problem Child 2. ... Joaquín Rafael Phoenix (pronounced IPA: ) (born October 28, 1974), formerly credited as Leaf Phoenix, is as a two-time Academy Award-nominated, Golden Globe and Grammy Award-winning Puerto Rican film actor. ... Dennis Dugan (born September 5, 1946 in Wheaton, Illinois) is an American actor and film director. ... Jasen Fisher (born 1980) was an American child actor, who made his first movie appearance in Parenthood as Kevin Buckman. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Donald McAlpine is an Australian cinematographer. ... Universal Pictures is the main motion picture production/distribution arm of Universal Studios, a subsidiary of NBC Universal. ... is the 214th day of the year (215th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1989 (MCMLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar). ... Motto: (Out Of Many, One) (traditional) In God We Trust (1956 to date) Anthem: The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington D.C. Largest city New York City None at federal level (English de facto) Government Federal constitutional republic  - President George Walker Bush (R)  - Vice President Dick Cheney (R) Independence from... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... // Actress Kim Basinger and her brother Mick purchase Braselton, Georgia for $20 million. ... For other uses, see Steve Martin (disambiguation). ... Dianne Wiest (born March 28, 1948) is two-time Academy Award-winning, Golden Globe Award-winning, Emmy Award-winning and Bafta Award-nominated American actress in stage, television, and film, and has received several awards in her career. ... Dennis Dugan (born September 5, 1946 in Wheaton, Illinois) is an American actor and film director. ... Mary Steenburgen (IPA: ) (born February 8, 1953) is an Academy Award-winning American actress. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Frederick Alan Rick Moranis (born April 18, 1953) is a Canadian actor, comedian and musician best known for his comedy work on SCTV and featured in several Hollywood films including Ghostbusters, Little Shop of Horrors, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, Spaceballs, and My Blue Heaven. ... Thomas Hulce (born December 6, 1953) is an Academy Award-nominated, Tony Award and Emmy Award-winning American actor and producer. ... Plimpton at the New York premiere of Miramaxs Kill Bill: Volume 1 Martha Plimpton (born Martha Carradine on November 16, 1970, in New York City) is former model turned actress who was born to famous actor parents Keith Carradine and Shelley Plimpton. ... Beirut, Lebanon Years active 1985 – Present Keanu Charles Reeves (pronounced in IPA: ) is an actor, born September 2, 1964 in Beirut, Lebanon, and raised in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. ... Harley Jane Kozak (January 28, 1957) is an American actress and author. ... Eileen Ryan is a NYC-born (circa 1928) American actress who has appeared in a number of movies and TV series. ... Jasen Fisher (born 1980) was an American child actor, who made his first movie appearance in Parenthood as Kevin Buckman. ... Alisan Porter (born June 20, 1981, in Worcester, Massachusetts) is an American actress and singer. ... Ivyann Schwan (born November 14, 1983 in Seattle, Washington) is an actress who starred in the movies Parenthood and Problem Child 2. ... Joaquín Rafael Phoenix (pronounced IPA: ) (born October 28, 1974), formerly credited as Leaf Phoenix, is as a two-time Academy Award-nominated, Golden Globe and Grammy Award-winning Puerto Rican film actor. ...

The film was directed by Ron Howard; story by Lowell Ganz & Babaloo Mandel & Ron Howard, and screenplay by Ganz & Mandel. It was produced by Brian Grazer. Much of the film is based on the family and parenting experiences of Howard, Ganz, Mandel, and Grazer, who have at least 14 children among the four of them. Ron Howard on the set of Ransom Ronald William Howard (born March 1, 1954, in Duncan, Oklahoma) is an American actor, film director and producer of Dutch, Scottish, English, Irish, German and Cherokee Indian descent. ... Lowell Ganz (born August 31, 1948 in New York, New York) is an American screenwriter, television writer, and television producer. ... Marc Babaloo Mandel (born: October 13, 1949 in New York City) is an American writer. ...

Parenthood was nominated for two Academy Awards: Dianne Wiest for Best Supporting Actress, and Randy Newman for Best Song (for "I Love to See You Smile"). Academy Award The Academy Awards, popularly known as the Oscars, are the most prominent and most watched film awards ceremony in the world. ... Dianne Wiest (born March 28, 1948) is two-time Academy Award-winning, Golden Globe Award-winning, Emmy Award-winning and Bafta Award-nominated American actress in stage, television, and film, and has received several awards in her career. ... The Academy Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role is one of the awards given to actresses working in the motion picture industry by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences; nominations are made by Academy members who are actors and actresses. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... The Academy Award for Best Song is one of the awards given to people working in the motion picture industry by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences; nominations are made by Academy members who are songwriters and composers. ...

The film was adapted into a television show in 1990. The television version was a critical flop and was quickly cancelled, but is notable for featuring an unusual number of people who at the time were unheard of but later became hugely famous. One of the writers on the show was Joss Whedon. The cast featured child actors Leonardo DiCaprio, David Arquette, Alisan Porter, and Thora Birch. The show was featured on the now-defunct cable network Trio in 2005 as part of their "Brilliant But Cancelled" series of shows that were cancelled before their time. Year 1990 (MCMXC) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar). ... Joss Hill Whedon (born Joseph Hill Whedon[3] on June 23, 1964 in New York) is an Academy Award-nominated American writer, director, executive producer, and creator of the well-known television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, and Firefly. ... Leonardo Wilhelm DiCaprio (born November 11 1974[1]) is a three-time Academy Award-nominated and Golden Globe Award-winning American actor who garnered world wide fame for his role as Jack Dawson in Titanic. ... David James Arquette (born September 8, 1971) is an American actor. ... Alisan Porter (born June 20, 1981, in Worcester, Massachusetts) is an American actress and singer. ... Thora Birch (born March 11, 1982) is an American actress. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Plot

The story revolves around Gil Buckman (Steve Martin), a 35-year old neurotic attorney trying to balance the pressures of raising a family in the suburbs of St Louis and succeeding in his career. Among Gil's issues is a family of relatives who all face their own obstacles related to family and raising children such as Gil's wife, Karen (Mary Steenburgen), his gruff and distant father (Jason Robards) and an assortment of other colorful relatives in a movie that raises the question: How easy is it to raise a family when you're also trying to have your own life? For other uses, see Steve Martin (disambiguation). ... The Gateway Arch, shown here behind the Old Courthouse, is the most recognizable part of the St. ... Mary Steenburgen (IPA: ) (born February 8, 1953) is an Academy Award-winning American actress. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ...

Gil works as a lawyer, but never overworks himself, because he wants to be an active father, rather than a distant one like his own father was. His parenting skills are put under more pressure when he finds out that his wife is pregnant with their fourth child, and that one of their sons may have emotional problems and need to be placed in special classes or a private school. This may mean becoming the workaholic he despised his own father for being.

His sister Helen (Dianne Weist) is divorced, raising a seemingly disturbed son Garry (Joaquin Phoenix credited as Leaf Phoenix) and daughter Julie (Martha Plimpton) on her own. Her son is just beginning to go through puberty, and is upset about not being able to see his father. Her daughter is still in high school, but struggling. She is already having a sexual relationship with her nitwit boyfriend Tod (Keanu Reeves), and the two of them want to unrealisticly start their lives together, despite his lack of ambition and direction. Dianne Wiest (born March 28, 1948 in Kansas City, Missouri) is an American actress in stage, television, and film, and has received several awards in her career, including two Oscars. ... Joaquín Rafael Phoenix (pronounced IPA: ) (born October 28, 1974), formerly credited as Leaf Phoenix, is as a two-time Academy Award-nominated, Golden Globe and Grammy Award-winning Puerto Rican film actor. ... Plimpton at the New York premiere of Miramaxs Kill Bill: Volume 1 Martha Plimpton (born Martha Carradine on November 16, 1970, in New York City) is former model turned actress who was born to famous actor parents Keith Carradine and Shelley Plimpton. ... Beirut, Lebanon Years active 1985 – Present Keanu Charles Reeves (pronounced in IPA: ) is an actor, born September 2, 1964 in Beirut, Lebanon, and raised in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. ...

Gil's other sister, Susan (Harley Jane Kozak) is a teacher married to an intelligent but arrogant husband (Rick Moranis). They both have a sweet, precocious daughter. She wants more children, but her husband is overly obsessed with their daughter's cognitive development. Harley Jane Kozak (January 28, 1957) is an American actress and author. ... Frederick Alan Rick Moranis (born April 18, 1953) is a Canadian actor, comedian and musician best known for his comedy work on SCTV and featured in several Hollywood films including Ghostbusters, Little Shop of Horrors, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, Spaceballs, and My Blue Heaven. ...

Finally, Gil's youngest sibling is his brother Larry (Tom Hulce) who, rather than settle into a career, has drifted through life trying to cash in on get rich quick schemes. Though he is the black sheep of the family, he is their father's favorite. He has recently shown up, along with his biracial son, Cool (who was the result of a brief affair with a Las Vegas stripper.), and wants to borrow money from his father for another of his get rich quick schemes and to pay off gambling debts. His father must decide whether to help him, or finally recognize that his son will never stop wasting his life. Thomas Hulce (born December 6, 1953) is an Academy Award-nominated, Tony Award and Emmy Award-winning American actor and producer. ... Vegas redirects here. ...

(Helen Shaw) has a small supportive role as Gil's lovable grandmother who, despite her borderline senility, has flashes of insightful family philosophy.

The film ends on a sentimental note with a new generation of Buckman children being born. The message of the film is seemingly that despite a family's hectic problems, life goes on and on.

Quotes

"You know, Mrs. Buckman, you need a license to buy a dog, to drive a car - hell, you even need a license to catch a fish. But they'll let any butt-reaming asshole be a father."

"What's wrong with getting rich quick? Quick is the best way to get rich!"

"You made me play second base!"

"It never ends (parenthood). It's like your aunt Edna's ass, it goes on forever and it's just as frightening."

"What's the birthday boy's name? Cuz I can write it across my breasts."

"See! You upset your brother!"

Gil: What's the matter, honey? You don't feel so good?

Taylor: Yeah.

Gil: You feel like you wanna throw up?

Taylor: O.K.

[vomits all over Gil's shirt, and starts to cry]

Karen: Oh Taylor, baby … Gil, why are you standing there?

Gil: I'm waiting for her head to spin around.

Trivia

• The movie poster / DVD artwork was lampooned by the 1990 film Problem Child, another Universal Pictures release. Also, Dennis Dugan starred in this film, and then he directed Problem Child.
• The birthday party in the movie was filmed at Mystery Fun House in Florida.
• David A. Siegel, the owner of Westgate Resorts and Mystery Fun House, played the pizza delivery person.
• At one point, Gil's grandmother, played by Helen Shaw, says "When I was born, Grover Cleveland was president!" Shaw actually was born on July 25, 1897, just four months after the end of the second Cleveland administration.
• The dream sequence of a clock-tower sniper was filmed at the University of Florida.
• Back to the Future was seen on the cover of a VHS tape. Not only is it another Universal pictures release, Mary Steenburgen would be starring in the second sequel that came out the next year after this release.
• At one point in the film, Gil says, "Maybe we should have a dozen kids!" Years later, Steve Martin starred in Cheaper by the Dozen in which his character actually did have a dozen kids.
• This movie is often used in both High School (also in Australia) and Collegiate Psychology classes in order to analyze and explain differences in Diana Baumrind's parenting styles.^{[citation needed]}

Problem Child (1990) is a comedy film about an orphan child that deliberately wreaks havoc everywhere he goes. ... Universal Pictures is the main motion picture production/distribution arm of Universal Studios, a subsidiary of NBC Universal. ... Dennis Dugan (born September 5, 1946 in Wheaton, Illinois) is an American actor and film director. ... Mystery Fun House brochure Mystery Fun House was an attraction located in Orlando, Florida, USA. It was founded by David A. Siegel in 1976 and operated through 2001. ... Westgate Resorts is a Timeshare, and is owned and operated by David A. Siegel, who started (CFI) Central Florida Investments in the early 70s, as a real estate development firm. ... Stephen Grover Cleveland (March 18, 1837 – June 24, 1908), the twenty-second and twenty-fourth President of the United States, was the only President to serve non-consecutive terms (1885–1889 and 1893–1897). ... Federal courts Supreme Court Circuit Courts of Appeal District Courts Elections Presidential elections Midterm elections Political Parties Democratic Republican Third parties State & Local government Governors Legislatures (List) State Courts Local Government Other countries Atlas  US Government Portal      For other uses, see President of the United States (disambiguation). ... is the 206th day of the year (207th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1897 (MDCCCXCVII) was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... The University of Florida (Florida, UFL, or UF) is a public land-grant, space-grant, research university located in Gainesville, Florida. ... This article is about the first film in the Back to the Future trilogy. ... Cheaper by the Dozen is a 2003 American comedy film about a family with twelve children (seven boys and five girls). ... Diana Baumrind is a clinical and developmental psychologist at the Institute of Human Development, University of California, Berkley where she also received her Ph. ... Parenting style is a psychological construct representing standard strategies parents use in raising their children. ...

See also

• "The Diarrhea Song"

It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Parenthood. ...

External links

• Parenthood at the Internet Movie Database
• Parenthood at All Movie Guide
• Parenthood at Rotten Tomatoes
• Parenthood at Box Office Mojo