Parental Guidance (3/16/2013)

Rated PG for some rude humor.

Starring Billy Crystal, Bette Midler, Marisa Tomei, Tom Everett Scott and Bailee Madison

Directed by Andy Fickman (Race to Witch Mountain, and The Game Plan)

The filmmakers could have used some Guidance on how to make a good movie.

Old school grandfather Artie (Billy Crystal), who is accustomed to calling the shots, meets his match when he and his eager-to-please wife Diane (Bette Midler) agree to babysit their three grandkids while their type-A helicopter parents (Marisa Tomei, Tom Everett Scott) go away for work. But when 21st century problems collide with Artie and Diane’s old school methods of tough rules, lots of love and old-fashioned games, it’s learning to bend — and not holding your ground — that binds a family together.

So what’s the best way to parent children? Well it seems that the makers of parental guidance are trying to tell us that a balanced approach is the best approach. And they tried to communicate this with humor and cute kids. Notice I said, “they tried.”

A crotchety Billy Crystal gets a few laughs as a play-by-play announcer, but most of the jokes fall flat for one of two reasons. They are either old clichés or delivered by actors who are overacting so badly it looks more like a bad sketch comedy show than a Hollywood production, and Bette Midler is even worse. But just when you think you have reached the bottom of the dorky joke barrel…Billy and Bette sing!! That was almost enough for me to hit the eject button, but my wife and kids wanted to see how it ended.

Marisa Tomei is guilty of overacting, but her performance seems almost normal compared to her senior co-stars. Tom Everett Scott is the most normal character in the film…maybe that’s why he’s only on screen a fraction of the time.

Am I being too harsh? Is it too much to ask for a QUALITY film that is CLEAN? I guess it is…at least in this case. Parental Guidance is worth watching “Only If It’s Free.”

SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
This is a PG film, which is fine for the entire family.

CONVERSATION STARTER

1. There is a lot of conflict in this film, what do the two sets of parents disagree on?


2. What are some things you and your parents disagree about?


3. How did the characters in the film handle the disagreements?


4. How do you and your parents handle your disagreements?


5. Read Proverbs 15:1
   
   A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.
   
   The next time you and your parents are having a disagreement, how could you use gentle answers to deflect anger?