The movie Parenthood is one of my all-time favourite films. I've lost count just how many times I've watched it. I loved it so much as a kid that I could quote almost all of it by heart. :-) It is just a brilliantly funny, touching story. It follows the lives of three generations of the Buckman family as they deal with the ups and downs of parenthood. The film had an all-star cast including Steve Martin, Mary Steenburgen, Dianne Wiest, Jason Robards, Keanu Reeves, Rick Moranis and a young Joaquin Phoenix. It was directed by the wonderful Ron Howard.

So here are my Top 3 Parenthood moments -

3. The play - Gil and Karen's daughter Taylor is in the school play. As part of the play Taylor is pushed around by the other kids. Watching this, her little brother Justin gets the wrong idea. He shouts "They're hurting my sister!" and then he bounds onto the stage to defend Taylor. He ends up breaking the set and ruining the play. Hilarious! And so, so cute!

(You can watch the above scene here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_WLSh7GE9I )


2. Tod relays his chat with Garry - Helen is worried about her son Garry. He locks himself in his room a lot and doesn't talk much. As there isn't a father around, Helen asks her daughter's boyfriend Tod to have a chat to Garry - man to man. This is what Tod says to Helen afterwards -

Tod: Can I speak frankly, no holds barred?
Helen: Please.
Tod: That is one messed up little dude. [pauses] Sure we can talk straight?
[Helen nods]
Tod: Um, a few months ago, Garry got his first... boner. You know what that is?
Helen: If memory serves.
Tod: Aw, great! Anyway, since then, he's been... uh... slappin' the salami. No offense.
Helen: No.
Tod: Apparently, he's goin' for a world record. Anyway, he was afraid there was something wrong with him, you know? Like he was a pervert or something. I told him that's what little dudes do - I mean, we've all done it. It made him happy.
Helen: Garry was happy?
Tod: Yeah. He even smiled! I never even knew he had teeth!

(You can watch the above scene here -  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WehtHFweILY )


1. Helen is going to be a grandma - Helen and George have been out on their first date. They come home to find Tod and Julie fighting. In the midst of the fight Julie reveals she's pregnant -

Julie: [door slams as Tod leaves] If he thinks I'm having his baby now, he's crazy!
Helen: [shocked] Baby?
George: Your daughter's having a baby?
Helen: [even more shocked] A baby?
George: You're going to be a grandma?
Helen: [laughs incredulously] No, no, no, no. I'm too young to be a grandmother. Grandmothers are old. They bake, and they sew, and they tell you stories about the Depression. [starts pouring herself a drink]
Helen: [shouts] I was at Woodstock, for Christ's sake! I peed in a field! I hung on to The Who's helicopter as it flew away!
George: I was at Woodstock.
Helen: [shouts] Oh yeah? I thought you looked familiar!