Monday, November 28, 2011

Movie Review Monday #28: Parenthood

First of all, I briefly considered writing a vague yet outrageously positive review about The Muppet Movie this week even though I haven't seen it yet. I'm absolutely certain I'm going to love it, so why not? Because that would be deceptive, that's why not. I'll write a real review of it soon though. Okay, on to Parenthood.


Parenthood is not a movie. Well, check that, it is a 1989* film starring Steve Martin. But this review is about the TV show. Its first two seasons stream on Netflix, and Jeff and I are basically in love with it. Here's why:


1. I love Lauren Graham. I think I've said that before. I'll probably say it again.
2. The writing on this show is so freaking natural. I feel like there must be some improvisation because they talk over each other and interrupt one another in such a real way. Also, for the most part, it's not predictable. Something doesn't always go wrong in situations where you think something will go wrong. Things don't always go perfectly in situations where you think it'll be smooth sailing. They've thrown formula out the window in a refreshing way.


3. This goes along with the naturalism of the show, but I'm impressed with how they incorporate humor into some really tense situations in a not cheesy way.
4. There are two teenage girls on the show, and I swear they must have studied the speech patterns of the women who play their moms because they talk just like them. I may have even imdb-ed one of them to find out if maybe they were related in real life too. They weren't. I felt duped.
5. There's a character with Asperger's on the show, Max, and everything I've seen concerning him has been very well researched and, again, natural. I'd love to know what a parent of a child with Asperger's thinks too. For example, I was extra impressed with a scene where his behavioral therapist discreetly removes her hoop earrings when he starts to throw a fit and puts them back on after he calms down. (Although I did wonder why she was wearing those in the first place.)


In conclusion, watch this show. You'll enjoy it.


*Grrr! I Googled "Parenthood" to get the year of the film version and a spoiler popped up. Lame. I promise it wasn't on purpose, Jeff.

3 comments:

  1. I love this show and have probably cried in every episode to date. Yikes! I completely agree with the mom/teen thing; I swore that Hattie and Christina were related because their mannerisms are so similar. This show is written and acted with a lot of love (and has a lot of crossover with Friday Night Lights, which is really no surprise).

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  2. I love Parenthood too! Regarding 2 and 5:
    2) You are correct. The actors do improvise to make the scenes more natural.
    5) Executive Producer Jason Katims has a son with Asperger's syndrome.

    (I would link to the article I read that talked about those things, but there are DEFINITELY spoilers there!)

    My husband and I are especially amazed with how the family dinner scenes feel so natural - all sorts of different conversations going on at once without feeling forced. Love it!

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  3. My favorite show on television. By far. Lauren Graham is awesome. You have confirmed, once again, that you have good taste. Well done.

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