- Film Review
- Reviewed By John Ferguson
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4 out of 5
This feel-good family ensemble piece from director Ron Howard manages to avoid being oversentimental, and the result is an affectionate, leisurely comedy about the joys (and otherwise) of bringing up children. Steve Martin grabs the comic honours as the elder son of a family headed by crotchety Jason Robards, although there are fine performances, too, from a star-studded supporting cast that includes Dianne Wiest, Rick Moranis, Mary Steenburgen, Martha Plimpton and Keanu Reeves. Howard handles the large number of different story strands adeptly and he makes the most of Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel's sharp script and some neat set pieces, notably Martin's cowboy turn at his son's birthday party.
Plot Summary
Family comedy starring Steve Martin as Gil Buckman, an overly anxious father who is determined that his children will have a better childhood than he did. But he discovers that parents' expectations for their offspring rarely match reality.
Cast and crew
Cast
- Gil Buckman
- Steve Martin
- Karen Buckman
- Mary Steenburgen
- Helen
- Dianne Wiest
- Frank
- Jason Robards
- Nathan
- Rick Moranis
- Larry
- Tom Hulce
- Tod
- Keanu Reeves
- Julie
- Martha Plimpton
- Susan
- Harley Jane Kozak
- Garry
- Joaquin Phoenix
- Kevin
- Jasen Fisher
Crew
- Director
- Ron Howard
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