Funny Family Friendly Movie for Movie Night! REVIEW

The 411 by Maria:

Now that I have cleared away the tears, I can talk about the movie even though my throat hurts. It wasn't a sad movie by any means just a very sweet, loving movie about family. 

I am a huge fan the actors in this movie, I have loved Bette since The Divine Miss M (one of my favorite albums) and Billy Crystal, well there's Monsters Inc but more than that he's Billy Friggin Crystal. City Slickers is one of my favorite comedies.  After that we have Marisa Tomei (Different World and My Cousin Vinny) and little Bailee Madison who has turned into a beautiful young lady!

In Parental Guidance, Phil and Alice Simmons (Tom Everett and Marisa Tomei) are flying out because Tom's product is being recognized. They haven't been on vacation in years and talk of leaving one set of their parents in charge of the kids while they are away.  Artie and Diane (Alice's parents) agree to watch the kids much to Alice's surprise. Artie was recently laid off of his much loved sports announcing job. Their different parenting styles surface early on and Alice has a hard time leaving.  When she finally leaves the grandparents in charge much mayhem ensues and the comedy is mixed with magical moments between the grandparents and the children. It is a great movie for the entire family.

Parental Guidance is a wonderful look at two generations different parenting styles and the effects as such. As parents we think we are doing things so much better than our parents generation but when it comes down to it, are we? Our childhoods were filled with imagination and wonder yet our children are now used to helicopter parents who micromanage their every move. There were some moments in the movie that really had me thinking that our parents generation knew what they were doing. There is a moment when Billy Crystal's Artie goes to spank his grandson in front of many, many people and he talks about how the only thing kids don't hear now a days is the word "NO". Like the audience in the movie, I was nodding my head as well.

I especially loved the ending with Philip Phillips "HOME" playing during the credits that included family photos of the cast and crew. Great touch to a wonderful movie.