Best Movie Parents

[Blergh]

I have to admit in this latest rendition of Little Women (2019), Laura Dern seemed far more believable than Susan Sarandon did in the 1994 version especially when her Marmee admitted to Jo that she was angry virtually every day of her life. Miss Dern perfectly conveyed what I believe Miss Alcott had intended. Namely  Marmee being a strong woman who was the guiding force and glue to her family YET was able to genuinely surprise her intelligent daughter Jo that she had successfully hidden that aspect of her character from those who were with her every day for the sake of what she believed was the greater good of the family! 

  Oh, and I also thought her wordless crying after Beth had died conveyed far more grief and, yes, anger of a parent outliving a child than any  speech could have done. Jo knew INSTANTLY not only what had happened but also exactly how her shattered mother felt . However, they both   knew they could rely on each other's strength to somehow survive this horrific blow to their family. 

[Bastet]

Coming across it while going around the dial just now, I was reminded that, while Coyote Ugly is a really stupid movie, the relationship between Violet and her dad is its bright point.  Not much of a surprise, I guess, since he's played by John Goodman, but her dad is lovely (but not unrealistically) in how he wants to protect her, but wants more to support her, and won't let her use him as an excuse to give up.

[Spartan Girl]

This might sound crazy but Charlie in Me, Myself and Irene was a loving father. Keep in mind that those boys weren't biologically his, but that didn't mean a bit of difference to him.

[DollEyes]

Bumping it up to add Elton John's grandma in Rocketman was a kind and supportive woman who loved and believed in Elton unconditionally, unlike his so-called "parents," who not only did neither, they rubbed his nose in it every chance they got.

[Blergh]

11 hours ago, DollEyes said:

Bumping it up to add Elton John's grandma in Rocketman was a kind and supportive woman who loved and believed in Elton unconditionally, unlike his so-called "parents," who not only did neither, they rubbed his nose in it every chance they got.

I'd agree but for the fact that she at least helped to raise Mr. John's despicable female parent! It would have been interesting had the movie explored whether Mrs. Dwight had deliberately rebelled against her own mother's positivity to be an intentionally spiteful parent to her son and a despicable person OR whether Elton's grandma saw how she somehow had failed in raising her daughter to be a good person and did all she could to make up for it via the 2nd chance being a grandma to her grandson gave her. . 

[Spartan Girl]

Rick and Evie in The Mummy Returns were great parents -- that piece of crap third movie never happened, do you hear me?!

Starr's parents in The Hate U Give were also wonderful and supportive, as were Simon's parents in Love, Simon, they handled Simon's coming out sensitively and beautifully.

[methodwriter85]

On 2/28/2020 at 11:32 PM, DollEyes said:

Bumping it up to add Elton John's grandma in Rocketman was a kind and supportive woman who loved and believed in Elton unconditionally, unlike his so-called "parents," who not only did neither, they rubbed his nose in it every chance they got.

I thought it was interesting that whereas Elton's mother really was just incapable of being a loving mother; Elton's father was capable of being a loving dad, just not to Elton. He was making the conscious choice to only give his love to his younger sons, and Elton realized that. That honestly feels even worse than Elton's mother, who really did seem incapable of any kind of form of genuine love and affection.

[VCRTracking]

Just saw this tweet and realized how right it is:

 

 

[Blergh]

15 hours ago, VCRTracking said:

Just saw this tweet and realized how right it is:

 

 

Yeah, and the audience was expected to root AGAINST him when he wrongly assumed that Johnny's dance partner had been impregnated by Johnny himself  . Also, despite the relative newness and iffiness of the Pill's availabilty during the movie's era, the audience was expected to HOPE that Johnny and Baby would have intercourse by the closing credits despite the unstated risks that Baby could have ACTUALLY become pregnant by Johnny (whose character, it needs to be said had NOT been  a monk prior to meeting Baby AND there were hints that he and his former dance partner COULD have been onetime lovers). 

[Bastet]

6 hours ago, Blergh said:

Also, despite the relative newness and iffiness of the Pill's availabilty during the movie's era, the audience was expected to HOPE that Johnny and Baby would have intercourse by the closing credits despite the unstated risks that Baby could have ACTUALLY become pregnant by Johnny (whose character, it needs to be said had NOT been  a monk prior to meeting Baby AND there were hints that he and his former dance partner COULD have been onetime lovers). 

I doubt Baby was on the pill, yes, but the characterization leads me to think Baby - who would have done so - wouldn't even have to ask Johnny to wear a condom, that it would be something he willingly does.  There's nothing about him or their relationship that makes me think he wouldn't take care with her.  So potential pregnancy is not a reason for me to hope two people who've fallen in love would abstain from sex they both want. 

[Irlandesa]

He's a overall a good dad but he has his faults.  He was closest to Baby but was unprepared for her to make independent choices for herself beyond what they had already discussed together.

But the audience isn't supposed to get mad at him because he doesn't want Baby hanging out with someone who did what he thought Johnny did; the audience is supposed to be mad at him because his incorrect assumptions are based on class.  He doesn't know Robby anymore than he knows Johnny but he largely only has concerns about one of them hanging out with his daughter. 

 

[VCRTracking]

Having finally just seen DOLORES CLAIBORNE(1995), Kathy Bates as Dolores Claiborne.

[VCRTracking]

Bella's dad from the TWILIGHT movies.

 

[Spartan Girl]

Connie in La Bamba was great, going all tiger mom when she saw the band that Ritchie started playing in wasn't giving him a fair shake and going out of her way to get him a big gig and gathering a big crowd. And she was supportive (or at least tried to be) to Bob while at the same time not taking any of his crap.

Edited September 2, 2020 by Spartan Girl

[Spartan Girl]

Margaret in Everybody's Talking About Jamie was just wonderful. Unlike Jamie's garbage father, she loved and supported her son no matter what. I loved that when he asked her if she ever wished he was "normal", her response was to assure them that everybody has their own versions of normal. And even though it was wrong for her to give those birthday cards/presents/flowers to Jamie under the pretense they were from his dad, I get why she did it. Yes, it did hurt Jamie when he finally found out the truth, but he was going to get hurt no matter what. It shouldn't have been up to her to tell Jamie that his father basically disowned him--he should have the guts to do that himself. 

Edited February 25, 2022 by Spartan Girl

[Bastet]

11 hours ago, Spartan Girl said:

Margaret in Everybody's Talking About Jamie was just wonderful. Unlike Jamie's garbage father, she loved and supported her son no matter what. I loved that when he asked her if she ever wished he was "normal", her response was to assure them that everybody has their own versions of normal.

I'm not familiar with that movie, but this makes me think of the lovely moment in Donnie Darko when Donnie asks Rose, "How does it feel to have a wacko for a son?" and Mary McDonnell perfectly delivers Rose's "It feels wonderful" response.

[Spartan Girl]

I’ll echo props for Baby’s dad in Dirty Dancing, and add that I liked how kind he was to Penny, living up to his Hippocratic Oath beautifully by helping her, and NOT judging her for having an abortion despite the fact that in was 60s. He reserved his scorn for the guy that got her in trouble and sent her to a crap doctor—first Johnny, but then Robbie after finding out the truth. And he admitted he was wrong and apologized to Johnny in the end. I think Baby’s earlier speech pointing out his unconscious biases really hit a nerve with him, because deep down, he knew she was right. Parents may think they know best, but sometimes they need to listen.

Oh how I miss Jerry Orbbach…

[kiddo82]

Rosie from Jojo Rabbit.  A single mom in Nazi Germany, she tries to keep things as light as possible by gently poking fun at Jojo but goes all mamma lion when she has to.  It's not just how supportive she is, there is no doubt she loves her son, but it's the layers through which she has to navigate.  She has to allow him to explore his Nazi fanaticism so as not to raise suspicions while at the same time try to steer him to empathy while at the SAME time work with the resistance unbeknownst to anyone.  It doesn't matter how many times I watch this movie, I bust a gut every time she nails Captain K in the balls.  "It's because of you my son can't walk right and has a messed up face."  And everything about the dinner scene is next level.  Scarlett Johansson is sublime here.  

[Ms Blue Jay]

One of my favourites is Dianne Wiest in Edward Scissorhands.  Just so incredibly sweet.

[Bastet]

On 5/21/2022 at 4:26 PM, Ms Blue Jay said:

One of my favourites is Dianne Wiest in Edward Scissorhands.  Just so incredibly sweet.

I have only the most vague memories of that film (I haven't seen it since it first came out), but the film where I love Dianne Wiest's character as a parent is Parenthood.  I don't like everything about that film, but I like almost every moment of Helen's.  She's repeatedly at the end of her rope with her kids and their antics and problems that she has to deal with alone since her ex is all in with his new family and ignores his first one, but she acts out of love and she actively tries to understand them.

Her "Oh, Ed, you shit" moment when her ex-husband does exactly what she knew he was going to do when Garry calls asking to live with him for a while is heartbreaking, and it's beautiful when Garry responds by smashing his dad's dental office to smithereens and she tells him he's a great kid, he just got a lousy dad and it's time for both of them to let go and just say "To hell with him".

And then - having discovered his porn stash in the process of searching his room because she feared the rampage was drug-fueled - simply says, "I don't know what to say about the tapes; I assume you're watching these because you're curious about sex - or filmmaking," and asks him if he wants to talk to her or his uncle Gil; realizing why neither of those are good options, she also realizes Tod - the bane of her existence as her daughter's dumbass husband (note they're both still in high school, and she's pregnant) - is the right choice and encourages that conversation.

Which leads to possibly the film's greatest moment, between Helen and her son-in-law after Tod reveals the gist of their productive conversation:

Helen: It sounds like a boy Garry's age needs a man around the house.
Tod: Well, it depends on the man.  I had a man around; he used to wake me up every morning by flicking lit cigarettes at my head.  He'd say, "Hey, asshole, get up and make me breakfast."  You know, Mrs. Buckman, you need a license to buy a dog, or drive a car -- hell, you need a license to catch a fish.  But they'll let any butt-reaming asshole be a father.

And, after that, she takes care of Tod the same way she takes care of Julie and Garry.

[Wiendish Fitch]

In 1995, the reliably awesome Dan Hedaya played not one, but two great movie dads: Mel Horowitz in Clueless, and Joe Maretto in To Die For. 

Mel may love and indulge his daughter, but he's no fool or pushover, and doesn't hesitate to lay down the law with Cher when needed. I honestly think that without the presence of Mel, Cher would be a thoroughly loathsome character. 

Then there's Joe, who gives his blessing to his son Larry's marriage to Suzanne (despite everyone's very justified misgivings), and

Spoiler

when Suzanne drags the murdered Larry's name through the mud, Joe does what every parent of a wronged child wishes they could do: he orders a hit on Suzanne. You hurt his, he hurts you.

I realize he movie does lean into a rather unfortunate stereotype, but considering that Suzanne 100% has it coming, I'm willing to overlook it. Oh, and Ileanna Douglas's character literally skating on Suzanne's icy grave? *chef's kiss*

 

[proserpina65]

Spoiler

Oh, and Ileanna Douglas's character literally skating on Suzanne's icy grave? *chef's kiss*

Spoiler

I thought she was skating over her brother's final resting place.  Admittedly it has been years since I saw the movie, but obviously I was seriously confused.

 

[Cobalt Stargazer]

On 5/12/2022 at 6:08 PM, Spartan Girl said:

I’ll echo props for Baby’s dad in Dirty Dancing, and add that I liked how kind he was to Penny, living up to his Hippocratic Oath beautifully by helping her, and NOT judging her for having an abortion despite the fact that in was 60s. He reserved his scorn for the guy that got her in trouble and sent her to a crap doctor—first Johnny, but then Robbie after finding out the truth.

Bumping this post up to say that I love the moment where Jake snatches the envelope of money or a check he'd just given to Robbie out of his hand after he finds out the truth. Because Robbie thanks Jake for how he handled it, cleaning up the mess he made by taking care of Penny after the botched abortion. Such a Lennie Briscoe thing to do.

 

On 5/23/2022 at 12:27 PM, Bastet said:

Which leads to possibly the film's greatest moment, between Helen and her son-in-law after Tod reveals the gist of their productive conversation:

It's especially great that we're reminded of Tod's relative immaturity before he gets to the deep stuff about it depending on who the father/man is, because he starts by asking Helen if they can talk straight to each other, and when she says yes he tells her, "Okay, a few months ago, Garry got his first boner." And there's this pause before he adds, "Do you know what that is?" You can see Helen kind of gathering herself before she answers, because Dianne Wiest's voice is just so dry and deadpan when she replies, "If memory serves." Great stuff.

[Spartan Girl]

2 hours ago, Cobalt Stargazer said:

Bumping this post up to say that I love the moment where Jake snatches the envelope of money or a check he'd just given to Robbie out of his hand after he finds out the truth. Because Robbie thanks Jake for how he handled it, cleaning up the mess he made by taking care of Penny after the botched abortion. Such a Lennie Briscoe thing to do.

God I miss Jerry Orbach.

4 hours ago, Wiendish Fitch said:

Then there's Joe, who gives his blessing to his son Larry's marriage to Suzanne (despite everyone's very justified misgivings), and

  Reveal spoiler

when Suzanne drags the murdered Larry's name through the mud, Joe does what every parent of a wronged child wishes they could do: he orders a hit on Suzanne. You hurt his, he hurts you.

I realize he movie does lean into a rather unfortunate stereotype, but considering that Suzanne 100% has it coming, I'm willing to overlook it. Oh, and Ileanna Douglas's character literally skating on Suzanne's icy grave? *chef's kiss*

 

Ordinarily, 

Spoiler

I wouldn’t encourage that sort of thing and just advise Joe and his family but considering how it looked like Suzanne was about to work her way out of any accountability and get famous for it, sometimes exceptions can be made!

 

[andromeda331]

12 hours ago, Cobalt Stargazer said:

Bumping this post up to say that I love the moment where Jake snatches the envelope of money or a check he'd just given to Robbie out of his hand after he finds out the truth. Because Robbie thanks Jake for how he handled it, cleaning up the mess he made by taking care of Penny after the botched abortion. Such a Lennie Briscoe thing to do.

I love all off that I also love that Jake apologized to Johnny. It's still very rare for people to apologize for what they did in TV and movies. But Jake did. I have huge respect for everything he did for Penny, taking his money back from Robbie and because he apologized.

[Bastet]

On 3/27/2024 at 7:09 AM, Wiendish Fitch said:

Mel may love and indulge his daughter, but he's no fool or pushover, and doesn't hesitate to lay down the law with Cher when needed. I honestly think that without the presence of Mel, Cher would be a thoroughly loathsome character. 

Also, even though he and Josh's mom were only briefly married, he kept Josh in his life.  "You divorce wives, not children."

[andromeda331]

9 hours ago, Bastet said:

Also, even though he and Josh's mom were only briefly married, he kept Josh in his life.  "You divorce wives, not children."

I love that about him. He was a good dad to Cher and Josh. He didn't have to be for Josh and most probably would consider any responsibility over when he divorced Josh's mother. But he did.