I love to quote movie lines. This was a habit handed down from my dad and now I do it to my kids. Growing up it wasn’t uncommon for me and my brothers to quote movie line after movie line without ever speaking an original word to each other all day.
Watching movies has always been an important family pastime. So, I thought for this Friday Five I’d actually do Ten. Ten of my favorite parenting scenes from movies.
1.) Steel Magnolias:
This is one of the saddest, most heartfelt scenes I can think of related to parenting. Sally Fields in “Steel Magnolia” as she comes to grips with losing her daughter. I love how the sorrow is broken up by humor.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EjNa8Ukg_0&feature=related
2.) Say Anything:
This is from my own personal YouTube clips channel. From “Say Anything” John Cusack explaining to his girlfriend’s dad what he wants to do with his life. Classic. One of the most quotable dialogs ever.
3.) It’s a Wonderful Life:
Just a classic. You’ve seen it, you know. When George rushes home to sees his family…*tear*
4.) Kramer vs. Kramer:
Reaching back to the ’70s, if you’ve never seen this movie, it’s a must. This scene in particular is an iconic parenting moment: The Ice Cream Scene.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSrI96jzgDo
5.) Mr. Mom:
Oh, Michael Keaton! One of my favorite comic actors. Mr. Mom is an ’80s classic from start to finish, directed by Ron Howard. A must see. I was so happy someone had this up on YouTube, sorry about the ad that runs before it. Not only one of my favorite parenting scene, one of my all-time favorites movies. Keaton tries to talk his young son into giving up his blanket. “…the next thing you know, you’re strung out on bed spreads” So funny.
6.) Whip It:
This movie about Roller Derby has so many touching parenting moments in it. There’s a scene at the end, which I couldn’t find, between the mother and daughter that’s so real and moving I cried unabashedly when I saw it. Go watch this movie.
7.) Kicking & Screaming:
Will Ferrell at his very best. Part of the charm of this movie is Ferrell’s character loses it and acts out towards kids–mostly other people’s kids–in ways a lot of us parents can only fantasize about. Kind of a “Parents Gone Wild” movie. This is my favorite scene…
8.) Parenthood:
This is a littler known movie (that now has it’s own tv show) also directed by Ron Howard. Lots of good stuff in this movie. Real parenting moments. The hard things. This too is from my personal collection of movie clips on YouTube. This scene plays out that moment when you, as a parent, realize your kid is just like you, and not in a good way. It also is powerful as the parents, Mary Steamvirgin and Steve Martin start to realize there is something wrong with their son.
9.) Terms of Endearment:
Okay, Mom saying goodbye to her sons right before she dies. This scene is a must watch.
10.) Life is Beautiful:
Lastly, one of the most powerful, yet soft and subtle, scenes about parenthood, ever. Life is Beautiful is about, among other things, a father’s love for his son. In this scene, Roberto Benigni and his son are in a Nazi death camp. Benigini tries to protect his son from the horrors of their situation by pretending the whole experience is a game–specifically in this scene “translating” for a German soldier the “rules” of the game. *fantastic *brave* funny*heartbreaking*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Y9aKqawdUQ
Please feel free to leave your picks.
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