Review of Parenthood (1989) by Joey N — 18 May 2008

You might have to meet it half way with the family dynamics cliches, but hey, for all I know they wern't cliches when this nearly 20-year old film was released. But what is surprising are the moments that ring true.

I really felt for Dianne Wiest's character during her date with her little speech about not being old enough to be a grandmother. "I went to Woodstock, for Christ's sake!" What was most unexpected was the confrontation with the black sheep son with a gambling problem.

There's a moment of revealing desperation and pity in his refusal to be like his brother. The final montage scene in the hospital is touching too, albeit a little distantly. Oh, and I definetly wasn't expecting contemplation of abortion and a very explicit reference to oral sex.

O_O.