I recently took my three older kids to see "Parental Guidance," and I was a little worried since it is not animated, does not feature SpongeBob and does not have a soundtrack sung by One Direction.
I was pleasantly surprised to look over and see the kids engaged and laughing throughout the nearly two-hour show. "Parental Guidance" may have gotten off to a rough start (its screening was cancelled Dec. 15, the day of the horrible Newtown tragedy) but it should be a smooth ride now. It is one of those movies worth buying (or renting) when it comes out on DVD.
The idea is cute and wholly familiar to many of us parents. Mom and dad never get away, but when they get the chance, in desperation, they call the grandparents. The "other" grandparents. The movie is full of conflict over the generational differences in child-rearing. And we all know what those are.
The movie is also full of plenty of comedy, though some of it may be aimed more for parents than kids. But the three children in the film get plenty of face-time and their antics, especially those of the youngest, kept my children amused. I could have used a little more Billy Crystal comedy, but I can never get enough of him.
The movie's moral, if you want to call it that, is while we may differ from our parents on how to raise children, the fact remains that our parents probably did an OK job with us. After all, we're perfect, right? So maybe they do know a thing or two about being good grandparents.
And, perhaps, if there was less judging and more connecting, those family moments may become even sweeter. This movie is worth the time.
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