Parenthood

If you are after a comedy that actually makes you laugh out loud, Parenthood is available in the US on Netflix right now. It knows exactly what kind of film it is from the opening scene, and never loses that thread. Its 7/10 TMDB score, built from 725 ratings, reflects a title that consistently delivers. Steve Martin's performance alone is worth the time investment. Put it on tonight on Netflix and see for yourself.

Parenthood arrived without much fanfare and built its audience the hard way — through word of mouth. Parenthood does what great comedies rarely manage — it is actually funny, consistently, across the whole run. The story of the Buckman family and friends, attempting to bring up their children. They suffer/enjoy all the events that occur: estranged relatives, the 'black sheep' of the family, the eccentrics, the skeletons in the closet, and the rebellious teenagers. Steve Martin and Mary Steenburgen lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 1989. What keeps Parenthood from feeling disposable is a cast that clearly understands the material better than the format usually demands. There is real craft here, even in the moments that do not fully land.

Comedy fans looking for a reliably funny watch will find it in Parenthood. It rewards viewers regardless of what else is in their watch history. A contained runtime means every scene is doing real work. Steve Martin's comic timing carries it through its weaker moments. The kind of comedy you recommend to someone who claims they do not watch much.