Christina Reviews *Parenthood*

           Parenthood is the best of both worlds.  It’s both funny and touching.  It’s got a quiet humor to it at times.  And the acting is fantastic.  It’s an ensemble piece and so there are many different stories going on, all dealing with the highs and lows of raising children.  Steve Martin is the star but everyone works together to make this the movie that it is.  And though it deals with some melodramatic material that could spiral downward into indulgence, it remains honest and funny. 

         It’s got some classic moments.  I’m not going to list them all but one particularly memorable scene is the one where Steve Martin appears as Cowboy Gil at his son’s birthday party.  The characters are memorable as well.  I love them all but a few really stand out to me.  Of course, Steve Martin is great.  He often is.  Nathan is brilliant at the dad who expects too much of his 3 year old daughter.  Ivy Ann Schwann is very cute as his precocious three year old.   Keanu Reeves does well with his role of the airhead with a heart.  The things he says, at times, are very insightful.  And then there’s Tom Hulce as the n’er do well younger brother of Gil (Martin).  A young Joaquin Phoenix (as Leaf Phoenix) plays Gil’s nephew.

        I will say that the very ending seems a bit contrived and sentimental but, overall, it’s a very good movie.