Ron Howard’s 1989 movie "Parenthood" may be considered outdated by some, considering the movie came out over 25 years ago. However, while watching the movie with my parents last Tuesday night, I realized that even though "Parenthood" is an older movie, the situations dealt with throughout the course of the movie are still prevalent and relatable in today’s society.
Most relatable, for me at least, is the struggle Gil Buckman’s eldest child, Kevin, has with his crippling anxiety. Kevin basically cries every time he’s put in a situation where he’s under pressure and wrestles with self-hate and confusion throughout the whole movie. His anxiety attacks affected his learning and social abilities and caused many roadblocks that the poor nine-year-old had to overcome. Perhaps more heart-wrenching than watching Kevin struggle, however, is watching Gil and Karen deal with their son’s mental disability. The viewer sees the toll it takes on their family dynamic and personal relationship, and the stress it puts on Gil, who blames himself for his son’s condition. As someone who has anxiety, it was hard to see what I’m sure my parents have gone through unfold onscreen. The film dealt with the stages of coping with anxiety brilliantly, grasping every bit of real emotion out of the circumstance. It was relatable, heartbreaking, and utterly real.
Furthermore, "Parenthood" dealt with parent-child codependence flawlessly through Larry Buckman’s storyline. Larry repeatably takes advantage of his father, squeezing money and sympathy from the tired man. It is not until the end, where Larry runs off, leaving his son, Cool, with his father, that his father fully realizes the extent of Larry’s wickedness, and decides to accept that he cannot allow his son to be dependent on him. Mr. Buckman was a victim of codependence, in which he and Larry were incredibly codependent on one another – Larry for his father’s wealth, and Mr. Buckman for Larry’s approval, as Gil often told him he was a bad father. Codependence is still a very real issue in today’s society, and I have known people suffering from it. "Parenthood" deals with the emotional issues and hardships tied to codependence, and does so with a twinge of heartbreak and a wink of hope for Mr. Buckman recovering from relying on his son’s affections.
The troubles of parenthood as an art are also touched upon in "Parenthood," from Gil’s struggle to help his son with anxiety to Helen’s issue connecting with her teenage daughter and son after their father left them. The situations the parents are put through throughout the course of the film are some that every parent can relate to, such as disapproval of boyfriends, oversaturation of knowledge at a young age, and dealing with bringing new life into already chaotic families.
Whether you are parent or child, "Parenthood" is a film to watch because it captures the ups and downs of growing up and watching one’s child grow up, and still resonates through the hearts of many, despite the assumption that it could be “outdated.”
