There is a scene in Fox’s soon-to-be released film Parental Guidance, where on-screen husband and wife Billy Crystal and Bette Midler break out into a seemingly impromptu song and dance number. The chemistry between the two insanely talented actors is so spot on, it’s hard to believe they had not worked together prior to this multi-generational film with a timely message about family.
“The timing was perfect,” Crystal reflected as he sat down with co-stars Midler and Marisa Tomei to discuss their latest film. While Crystal and Midler knew each other and even spent time together, an opportunity to work together didn’t present itself until Crystal’s latest work. “I can speak for both of us, we really had a wonderful time – everyone did. But for us, for who we are and where we’ve been, it was very special for both of us (Crystal).”
Crystal, who co-produced Parental Guidance and stars as grandfather Artie Decker in the film, was inspired by his own experience with his grandchildren. “Spending time alone with them for the first time was exhausting,” Crystal reflected. “When you’re not around the little ones for a long time, you forget how much work that really is.” The story began taking shape as Crystal pieced together his experience, which included being handed a “Bible” by his daughter with instructions like “if she [his granddaughter] says this, don’t say that.” A resounding theme within the film is the constant juxtaposition between “old school” versus modern parenting.
But the film is about so much more than two generations at odds over their respective parenting styles. “It’s a surprising movie (Crystal).” Full of heart and humor, “it promises to be something and delivers something else along with it (Crystal).” When the filmmakers began screening Parental Guidance with early audiences, they realized everyone (all ages) was enjoying it…walking away with something from the film. “It’s not just a family movie in the thinnest sense of the word…it [tells] the truth about all people (Crystal).”
There are several scenes that portray modern approaches to child-rearing, and as comedic and outrageous as they may seem, these are real things Crystal experienced when his girls were growing up. In one such scene, Crystal attends his grandson’s Little League game and soon realizes that they don’t keep score because there are no losers. “We’d go to games [where the score was not kept] and I’d think there is a real value in winners and losers…in not everybody getting a trophy, because it makes you work hard.” According to Crystal, life is competition and it helps to learn that right from the beginning. It is underlying themes and messages such as these that will challenge parents to think about as they walk away from the film.
Parental Guidance, is witty and warm, with a timely message about family. “It’s about our relationship and the things that tie parents to their kids and to their grandchildren (Crystal).” And isn’t that what this season is all about?
See it in theaters Christmas Day.
No compensation was received for this post. Interviews were arranged which helped facilitate the writing of this post.
Images: 20th Century Fox
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