Parenthood
Parenthood Image
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Metascore
82 out of 100

Universal acclaim - based on 17 Critics What's this?

User Score
7.7 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 10 Ratings

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  • Starring: Steve Martin
  • Summary: Gil Martin is a funny and loving husband who's also tries too hard to be the "perfect" parent to his uniquely different kids. (Universal Studios)

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Roger Ebert
    100
    Ron Howard's Parenthood is a delicate balancing act between comedy and truth, a movie that contains a lot of laughter and yet is more concerned with character than punch lines.
  2. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Stephen Holden
    80
    Ron Howard's bittersweet adult comedy, Parenthood, lays out an entire catalogue of psychological stresses afflicting family life in white middle-class America, then asks if the rewards of being a parent are worth all the agony.
  3. Empire
    Reviewed by: Caroline Westbrook
    80
    A funny and touching look at the joys of family life.
  4. USA Today
    Reviewed by: Mike Clark
    50
    The borderline Parenthood is either an iffy comedy with lots of compensations, or a good comedy with more irritating flaws than most movies manage to survive. Whichever, the "feel good'' infantry of summer-film escapists will probably love it. [2 Aug 1989, p.5D]
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See all 17 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. moviemonger
    10
    Ron Howard has a way of churning out films and becoming some sort of wallflower. In this film, Howard stands tall for one reason - you know he is a parent and he wants to tell a story about parenting. The characters in this film are so real, touched with a sprinkle of far-fetchedness for comedy's sake - but you realize that this stretch is cleverly planted to drive a message home. That message? Parenting is not always easy. Life is not always easy. But, the ride is what builds character, understanding, and, ultimately the ability to love unconditionally. Steve Martin blends comedy and straight-laced acting perfectly. Dianne Weist is fantastic, as usual. I left the theater feeling good about, not parenting, but, instead, daily interaction with life's bumps and bruises.… Expand
  2. BruceH.
    9
    Some many wonderful things going on, all on different levels. This movie works as a tragedy and a comedy of Shakespearean proportions. It9;s no masterpiece, just a well-done, multi-layered slice of life film. Touching, funny, interesting.… Expand
  3. KaseyS
    9
    To this day, I still believe that this is Ron Howard's best film. I've seen this movie dozens of times over the last 20 years and it never gets old. So many poignant moments, the laughter making the drama more intimate, the drama making the comedy more personal. This movie was way ahead of its time.… Expand

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