Nothing changes our lives more than having a child. The second that baby appears, our lives get flooded with dirty diapers, family and friends who are dying to meet the baby, wailing that feels like it might never end, and sleepless nights. Then as that baby grows up, we're presented with new challenges like financial strain, attitude problems, jam-packed schedules, and peer pressure. But stuffed between those challenges are magical moments that make it all worthwhile: watching our kids grow up, exposing them to new things, and creating happy family memories. From newborn to teenager to young adult, our children give us both joy and hardship.
There are plenty of films that capture the struggle of parenthood. They show us that parenthood is a lifelong roller coaster ride with plenty of ups and downs. One minute, we're doting on our children, and then the next minute, we're screaming at them for something that easily could've been avoided. And then the minute after that, we find that our children are suddenly grown up. Here are nine films that capture the struggle of parenthood.
9 Stepmom (1998)
Directed by Chris Columbus, Stepmom is a heartfelt story about Isabel (Julia Roberts), the new girlfriend of a divorced father, and Jackie (Susan Sarandon), who feels threatened by her ex-husband's new partner. Although Isabel never wanted to be a mother, she works hard to develop relationships with her boyfriend's kids, which Jackie makes more difficult. It's later revealed that Jackie is suffering from terminal cancer. She's devastated that she won't see her children grow up, but Isabel will. The two women eventually come to terms with their situation: Jackie is the past, while Isabel's role as stepmom makes her the future.
It's a messy story that shows how divorce and personal issues complicate parenthood and how difficult it can be to transition to an established family.
8 Knocked Up (2007)
Knocked Up is a comedy that could only come from the mind of Judd Apatow and is regarded as one of his best movies. Here, an ambitious TV personality named Alison (Katherine Heigl) gets knocked up by a total loser named Ben (Seth Rogen) after a random one-night stand. The two of them face challenges, as they grapple with their unexpected pregnancy and incompatibility issues. Their relationship is contrasted with that of Debbie (Leslie Mann), Alison's older sister, and her husband Peter (Paul Rudd), a married couple with two kids who are experiencing troubles of their own.
Whether you've established a family or are just starting one, Knocked Up shows that parenthood isn't all rainbows and butterflies. The baby's imminent arrival brings stress, arguments, and terror to Alison and Ben's lives. And also awkward sex.
7 Finding Nemo (2003)
Finding Nemo is quintessential Pixar and one of the studio's best films. It combines beautiful computer animation with a heartfelt story that requires a box of tissues. In the very beginning, we meet a couple of clownfish, Marlin and Coral, who can't wait to become parents once their eggs hatch. This joy quickly turns into alarm when a predator threatens their babies. Armed with her maternal instinct, Coral does what she can to protect her children.
This tragedy sets up single dad Marlin for years of paranoia when it comes to their only surviving child, Nemo. The poor guy is constantly worried and overprotective. But when Nemo suddenly goes missing, Marlin is prepared to brave the ends of the ocean to find him. For an animated movie, Finding Nemo does a great job at capturing the ups and downs of parenthood. There's a lot of fear and sacrifice that comes with being a parent. But at the end of the day, a good parent will do anything for their child.
6 Father of the Bride (1991)
Father of the Bride offers a very different look at parenthood than the other movies on this list. Here, George Banks (Steve Martin) faces a harsh reality when his only daughter announces her engagement. He takes an immediate disliking to her fiancée and starts all kinds of trouble. Throughout this classic comedy, George sees his daughter as the little girl that she used to be.
For many parents, weddings are a bittersweet chapter in their child's life story. It's saying goodbye to the child you raised while saying hello to the adult they've become. George Banks finds it hard to let go of his daughter. But in the end, it's something that every parent has to come to grips with.
5 The Kids Are Alright (2010)
The Kids Are Alright is notable for being one of the first mainstream movies depicting a same-sex couple. Partners Nic (Annette Bening) and Jules (Julianne Moore) have each given birth to a child using the same sperm donor, Paul (Mark Ruffalo). Things get complicated when the kids locate their biological father and bring him into their lives. Jules and Paul begin an affair that threatens to break apart the family.
The Kids Are Alright reminds parents not to lose sight of the relationship that made them a parent to begin with. Being present with your kids is important but so is being present with your partner. But most importantly, this film shows us that parental struggle is the same for everyone, regardless of sexual orientation, gender, or race.
4 Riding in the Car with Boys (2001)
Based on the book of the same name, Riding in the Car with Boys tells the true story of Bev Donofrio (Drew Barrymore). The young Bev has big dreams: to get her college degree from New York University and become a writer. Her plans change, however, when she's hit with an unplanned pregnancy and becomes a teen mom. Riding in the Car with Boys spans the first 18 years of her child's life and captures Bev's many struggles, starting with her disappointment over giving birth to a boy instead of a girl.
Bev goes from a teen mom to an adult who's juggling a career, motherhood, a divorce, and a resentful child. At one point, she wonders if she even loves her son at all because she had to give up her dreams to raise him. But Bev comes to realize that her son is the best thing to ever happen to her, a sentiment that even the most discouraged parents feel deep down. Bev's dream of becoming a writer does come true (obviously). But it took her years of sacrifice and hardship before she could get there.
3 Juno (2007)
Juno is a great coming-of-age movie that captures many different sides of parenthood. You have main character Juno (Elliot Page), who has to grapple with her unexpected pregnancy. She faces judgment from society and the physical toll of giving birth. Then you've got her father (J.K. Simmons) and stepmom (Allison Janney), who also have to deal with their teenage daughter's pregnancy. Despite Juno's mistake, both parents are supportive and loving.
There's a great scene where Juno's stepmom fiercely defends her daughter against their snobby ultrasound technician, even though she's not Juno's biological mother. And then, you have the affluent young couple, Mark (Jason Bateman) and Vanessa (Jennifer Garner), who want to adopt Juno's baby. Mark turns out to be an a**hole who's not ready to be a father, while Vanessa desperately wants to be a mom. Juno juggles all of these characters, showing that parenthood can come in many different shapes and forms -- and not all of it is picture-perfect.
2 Home Alone (1990)
Home Alone may seem like an odd choice here. But when you think about it, the dysfunctional McCallister family actually fits. Many parents can probably relate to Kate (Catherine O'Hara) and Peter (John Heard) McCallister on some level: butting heads with your kids and saying things you don't mean, juggling different personalities and to-do items, trying to manage all the chaos in your household. And then, there's that heart-stopping feeling when you just know something is wrong.
When she realizes that her son has been left home alone, Kate is prepared to do anything to get back to her child, which includes enduring hours of polka music. Home Alone shows the love and chaos that comes with raising a big family. It's a busy lifestyle, and sometimes, parents can forget things -- though hopefully it's not your child.
1 Parenthood (1989)
What can capture parenthood better than a movie that's actually called Parenthood? It focuses on the giant Buckman family, weaving together their different stories, situations, and hardships. Parenthood has it all: financial strain, unplanned and struggling pregnancies, child issues, puberty, incompetence, divorce, and absent parents. But nothing summarizes the ups and downs of parenthood better than this quote from Gil Buckman's (Steve Martin) grandmother: "You know, when I was young, Grandpa took me on a roller coaster. Up and down, up, down. Oh, what a ride. I always wanted to go again. It was just interesting to me that a ride could make me so frightened, so scared, so sick, so excited, and so thrilled all together."
Comments
Post a Comment