Parenthood (film)

Parenthood is a 1989 American comedy-drama film directed by Ron Howard. The film stars Steve Martin, Mary Steenburgen, Dianne Wiest, Jason Robards, Rick Moranis, Martha Plimpton, Keanu Reeves, and Joaquin Phoenix (credited as Leaf Phoenix).

The film explores the challenges and joys of raising children in different family dynamics. It follows the Buckman family and their extended relatives, showcasing the varying approaches to parenting and the stresses associated with each stage of a child's development, from early childhood to adolescence and adulthood. Gil Buckman (Steve Martin), the patriarch, grapples with the pressures of his job and the desire to be a better parent than his own father was.

Themes explored in Parenthood include the expectations placed on children, the anxieties of modern parenthood, communication within families, and the importance of finding fulfillment in life beyond career ambitions. The film uses humor and pathos to illustrate the complexities and imperfections inherent in family relationships.

Parenthood was a commercial success and received positive reviews, garnering nominations for Academy Awards, Golden Globe Awards, and Writers Guild of America Awards. It also spawned two television series adaptations: a short-lived 1990 NBC series and a more successful and critically acclaimed series that ran from 2010 to 2015, also titled Parenthood.