Parental Guidance Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Grandparents forget how to raise kids, kids act like tiny adults, and everyone learns a valuable lesson about… something.

🍿 Parental Guidance: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction and Artie’s Firing

Artie Decker, a minor league baseball commentator, is abruptly fired due to his old-fashioned style and lack of social media presence. This sets the stage for him feeling irrelevant and disconnected. Simultaneously, his daughter Alice and her husband Phil are overwhelmed with their demanding careers and strict parenting of their three children.

The Babysitting Opportunity

When Alice and Phil need to go out of town for a business trip, they reluctantly ask Artie and his wife Diane to babysit their grandchildren: Harper, Turner, and Barker. Alice has reservations because of her parents’ more relaxed parenting style compared to her own highly structured approach. This sets up the central conflict of the film.

Clash of Parenting Styles

Artie and Diane’s old-school methods clash with Alice’s 21st-century parenting. The grandchildren, each with their own unique issues (Harper’s performance anxiety, Turner’s stutter, Barker’s imaginary friend), respond differently to their grandparents’ less structured environment. Comedy ensues as Artie and Diane try to navigate the children’s problems and Alice’s strict rules.

Resolving Conflicts and Bonding

Throughout their time together, Artie and Diane connect with their grandchildren, helping them overcome their challenges. Artie encourages Turner to stand up to bullies, while Diane helps Harper relax and enjoy her music. They also address Barker’s loneliness. Alice begins to see the value in her parents’ approach and realizes the importance of letting go and allowing her children to be kids.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Artie Decker (Billy Crystal): A recently fired, old-school sports announcer who must adapt to modern parenting while babysitting his grandchildren.
• Diane Decker (Bette Midler): Artie’s supportive and eager-to-please wife who tries to bridge the gap between the generations.
• Alice Simmons (Marisa Tomei): The type-A, helicopter-parent daughter of Artie and Diane, struggling to relinquish control of her children.
• Phil Simmons (Tom Everett Scott): Alice’s husband and a supportive but often overwhelmed father of three.
• Harper Simmons (Bailee Madison): The eldest grandchild, a high-strung and talented violinist under immense pressure.
• Turner Simmons (Joshua Rush): The middle grandchild who struggles with a stutter and bullying.
• Barker Simmons (Kyle Breitkopf): The youngest grandchild with an active imagination and an imaginary friend.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Artie: “You gotta shape up, Artie! You know what grandparenting is? A second chance!” – Artie realizes he needs to step up and connect with his grandchildren after feeling disconnected.
• Alice: “We’re encouraging them to find themselves.” – Alice explaining her new-age parenting methods, focused on self-discovery, to her parents.
• Artie: “There are no instructions when you become a parent, you just figure it out as you go” – Artie reassuring Alice that she’s doing her best as a parent, and it’s okay to make mistakes.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $25,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $77,267,296
• Worldwide Gross: $119,772,232

💥 Parental Guidance Reviews

Personal Review

I went into this movie hoping for some lighthearted fun, and while there were a few genuinely funny moments, overall it felt pretty generic. The best part was definitely seeing Billy Crystal and Bette Midler on screen together, they have great chemistry. However, the whole ‘old-school vs new-school’ parenting thing felt overdone and predictable. I did chuckle when Artie tried to figure out Twitter though! It was an alright movie, but not one I’d rush to watch again.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Families looking for a lighthearted comedy.”
  • “Fans of Billy Crystal and Bette Midler.”
  • “Viewers interested in generational differences in parenting styles.”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Some rude humor and slapstick.”
  • “Mild language.”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “While Crystal and Midler bring their usual charm, ‘Parental Guidance’ relies too heavily on predictable gags and simplistic characterizations to resonate with audiences.
• Common Sense Media: “Despite some funny moments, the film reinforces stereotypes about old-school vs. modern parenting and offers little fresh perspective. Entertaining, but not particularly insightful.
• Entertainment Weekly: “Billy Crystal and Bette Midler’s chemistry provides mild amusement, but the film’s predictable plot and reliance on broad comedy undermine any genuine emotional resonance.

Audience Reactions

Billy Crystal and Bette Midler’s on-screen chemistry was a definite highlight.: Most agreed that the movie was a decent family film with some funny moments, but predictable.

Many viewers loved the generational clash and the kids’ antics.: Many found the movie relatable in terms of family dynamics and the struggle between different parenting styles.

Overall Consensus: A mildly entertaining family comedy, but with predictable plot and reliance on stereotypes.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film’s script was originally titled ‘Us & Them’.”
• “Filming took place primarily in the Atlanta metropolitan area, specifically in Johns Creek, Georgia.”
• “Jennifer Crystal Foley, who plays Cassandra in the movie, is Billy Crystal’s real-life daughter.”

🖥️ How to Watch Parental Guidance?

Parental Guidance is available to rent or purchase on various platforms including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check local listings for availability on cable on-demand services. For physical copies, look for the DVD and Blu-ray releases at major retailers.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Parental Guidance, you might like these similar films:

• Meet the Fockers (2004): Comedic clash between generations and parenting styles, focusing on the challenges of family relationships.
• Cheaper by the Dozen (2003): Highlights the chaos and humor of managing a large family, showcasing the importance of family bonds amidst the madness.
• Grumpy Old Men (1993): Focuses on intergenerational relationships and humorous conflicts within a family setting, with veteran comedic actors.
• Instant Family (2018): Explores the challenges and rewards of modern family life, with a focus on love and acceptance despite unconventional circumstances.

🛒 Parental Guidance Related Products

• City Slickers [Blu-ray]: Explore Billy Crystal’s legacy! Another heartwarming and funny movie where he plays a leading role.
• Bette Midler – ‘The Divine Miss M’ CD: Relive Bette Midler’s musical beginnings. This classic album is a must-have for any fan.
• Old School Games Retro Toys Bundle: Bring back the fun of old-school with this vintage toy set including classic games like Kick The Can and Hopscotch.
• Marisa Tomei Signed Photo: Own a piece of memorabilia from one of the stars of the film.

🎧 Soundtrack

Parental Guidance features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Possibilities” – performed by William Peterkin

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

On Cinema (S1, Ep. 110): ‘Parental Guidance’ and ‘Django Unchained’

Ever wondered what people *really* thought of ‘Parental Guidance’? This review dives deep, comparing it to ‘Django Unchained’ of all things! It’s pretty interesting to hear the different takes on this movie – you might even change your own opinion after watching.

The Most Insane Parental Guidance Warnings on IMDb

You think the parental guidance in movies makes sense? Think again! This Cracked video highlights some of the most ridiculous warnings on IMDb. Honestly, some of these are so over-the-top, they’re hilarious.

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