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.
Acting
Dianne Wiest's single mom desperation is Oscar-worthy; Martin's meltdown is career peak.
Writing
Lowell Ganz & Babaloo Mandel balance sitcom beats with genuine existential dread.
Direction
Ron Howard's first real drama—surprisingly unsentimental for the guy who gave us Cocoon.
Director
Ron Howard
Steve Martin
Gil Buckman
Mary Steenburgen
Karen Buckman
Dianne Wiest
Helen Buckman Lampkin Bowman
Jason Robards
Frank Buckman
Rick Moranis
Nathan Huffner
Tom Hulce
Larry Buckman
Martha Plimpton
Julie Buckman-Lampkin Higgins
Keanu Reeves
Tod Higgins
Harley Jane Kozak
Susan Buckman
Joaquin Phoenix
Garry Buckman-Lampkin
Dennis Dugan
David Brodsky
Eileen Ryan
Marilyn Buckman
Helen Shaw
Grandma
Jasen Fisher
Kevin Buckman
Paul Linke
George Bowman
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The infamous 'I lost my retainer' scene was improvised by the child actor; Steve Martin's reaction is genuine.
This film basically invented the modern 'prestige dramedy' format that prestige TV later ran into the ground.
US
