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. I’m not 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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