Parental Guidance - Film Review

Post

Subscribe

Billy Crystal is probably one of those artsy comedians who can keep a straight face, crack a joke AND deliver a deep and meaningful message to his audience, hence one of my favourites for all the reasons above. In 2012, a movie by the name of " Parental Guidance " was released on DVD and I had the opportunity to watch it with my children.





Billy Crystal (Artie Decker) is a announcer for a baseball team in Fresno, CA but is fired because he is not technically "wired". He is deeply disappointed because he loves his job, but his wife played by Bette Midler (Diane) consoles him and makes him realize that he will now have more time to do other things. In the meanwhile, across the continent, Artie and Diane's only daughter Alice (played by Marisa Tomei) lives in a totally technically wired house with her techno-wiz husband and three children: Harper, Turner and Barker. When Alice and Phil decide to go on a vacation (because Phil's invention has been nominated for an award), they reluctantly call Alice's parents who are "weird" to look after their children for a week. The story begins when the grandparents fly over to find a generational gap with not only their grandchildren, but even their own daughter seems estranged. Through adventures, misadventures and the whole ball game, the story builds on what is important in life: being together as a family and making those bonds special in their own unique way.

The children and I loved it, for many reasons. The children thought the talking house was hilarious, and they just couldn't get over Barker's imaginary kangaroo friend Carl. As a parent, I connected with the characters at various levels, and understood the demands and associated frustrations attached to the 21st century lifestyle, which leaves very little time to dedicate to raising children and keeping a healthy relationship with one's spouse, let alone the extended family. The children and I laughed and spent a great afternoon together. It is a wonder to find a non-animated movie that does not have language or violence ratings that one can watch with children. I would recommend this movie as a light-hearted, sweet comedy, but sometimes blandly predictable movie.

#movie_reviews
#kids
#fun_things_to_do
#film_reviews
#family
%wneverywhere