jellopuke
If you've got kids, you'll see so much here that rings true. It's the kind of movie they don't make anymore, "real" situations, not high-concept, ensemble casts that have actual characters to work with, and an attempt at showing life instead of fantasy.
Some of this doesn't hold up almost 30 years later since the whole thing is devoid of anyone who isn't white and middle class (saving the boy Cool) and it reeks of Reagan era propaganda encouraging the making of more babies, but you can overlook that because the moments themselves are real.
Saw this as a kid and had that diarrhea song stuck in my head for days... it all came back!
kandit1
I think the movie can be summed up in a period near the end where the youngest child, thinking their sister is being attacked for real during a play, goes on stage and starts beating the 'bullies', biting the teacher trying to bring back control and completely causing chaos by starting the ruining of the set.I am a parent and realize what kind of work goes in to holding a play with many volunteer hours of work put in by teachers, staff, parents and of course, the children. When the above scene happens, the parents at first try to prevent their child from disturbing the play. They then become resigned to the fact that it will happen and accept it with smiles on their faces.This is really scratching the surface and not delving in to what is really going on. The director wants us to laugh at this situation but all I could do is be upset for the teacher, the students, the parents and anyone else involved in months of work coming to an epic failure. If you think this is funny, this movie is for you. If you don't, then don't bother watching this at all.
SnoopyStyle
Gil Buckman (Steve Martin) tries to be a better father than his own unavailable father. It's the funny story of the extended Buckman family from Ron Howard. Mary Steenburgen plays his wife. Dianne Wiest plays his single-mother sister. Rick Moranis and Harley Jane Kozak play the uptight parents. Tom Hulce is the black sheep of the family. The great list of actors include Joaquin Phoenix, Keanu Reeves, Jason Robards, and Martha Plimpton.This is just a fun and insightful look at big family dynamics. It's got both pathos and comedy. This is possibly Ron Howard at his best. It would be easy to drive this multi character storyline chaos into an unmitigated mess. All the different characters could have been reduced to stereotypes. Instead these characters feel like they truly fit in a family. This is a great feel good movie.
Maziun
I didn't wanted to see this movie at first , because I expected lame and sappy family entertainment . I was wrong . This is good family entertainment . It deals with serious problems in mature way . Also it's funny and not afraid to put some adult jokes . Today it wouldn't be possible because of political correctness. All actors had done good job . In my opinion the best performance belongs to Dianne Wiest . She's the character you care the most for . She shows her vulnerable side , yet when the time comes she's determined , strong and smart. She's cute and strangely attractive in some way. A true mother. Steve Martin is Steve Martin. Keanu Reeves proves that he's good at playing not-to-bright teenagers . It was also good to see Rick Moranis ("Ghostbusters") as intellectual guy obsessed with raising a perfect child.There is a good twist near the end of the movie . I could live without last 2-3 minutes of sugar.It's a good movie. Watch it (especially if you're a parent) . You won't regret it. I give it 7/10.
AD
