tdrish
I'm taking another trip down memory lane, to review the 1989 movie Parents. I was only 14 when I watched this, and I will have no desire to see this again. Odd, but quite entertaining. What will you think of it? I will give you a few warnings, before I get to the review, so that you will be quite aware of what you are getting yourself into. This in mind, I wouldn't want you wasting your time with this, if its not what you are expecting. If you are expecting, for example, a gore-hound movie, with countless scenes of people gnawing away on other people like zombies, just because you found out this is a film about canabalism, let me save you some time: this is NOT that type of film. Although the violence can be strong from time to time, this film is actually quite tame, and the gore is done surprisingly tastefully. So the focus is not on the violence in Parents, am I clear? Where is the focus? Well, let's start by saying that this takes place in the 50's. A time of innocence. Who would suspect people eating people in the 1950's? This is what makes the film unique. The only person who suspects anything, is their own son, about eight years old. He is allowed to eat in the same room as his parents, however, he eats a separate table, and his food is prepped up differently. He befriends a little girl around his age, but he's afraid to say anything to her. Or anyone, for all that matter. He doesn't want to think of his parents as his arch enemies, but it's becoming clear to him that something is wrong. That being said, at the core of it all, this film possesses extreme emotional depth, almost even moving, because we begin to feel the fear that he's feeling. There's even a bizarre scene where he begins to fear food, and thinks he's being attacked by a string of sausage in the pantry, where he was trying to spy on his parents, figuring out what's going on with what they're cooking on the stove. The movie is a dark comedy, but it leans way much more on the serious side of dark comedy, rather then the slapstick or nonsense black comedy, making this a very respectable film. Director Bob Babalan seems to handle almost every scene with care, there is only one scene in the entire film that I had a problem with. The boy is looking up the tree at the little girl sitting on a branch, and we get almost a close up shot up the girls skirt, revealing her panties. Although this was done, I am sure, meant as a very innocent and harmless manner, I just couldn't understand how the movie would have been just fine, without this one scene. Sure, there's nothing sexual about it, but some viewers may, with pedophilia running rampant, and that's the part I cannot cope with...the thought that this was a child being exploited during the filming of all this. The only justification I have, is that the film does an excellent job of capturing the "through the eyes of a child" feeling. And never under estimate how disturbing this movie will be, right down to the shocking climax of it all. Altogether, I think Parents has problems, but just like life, all parents have problems. Let's just be glad that hopefully your parents don't have the same problems these folks do. 6 out of 10 stars!
Coventry
The opening sequences of "Parents" immediately catapult us back to the swinging 1950's. A family of three moves from the big city to the cozy suburbs. Michael is a bit of an introvert and terrified child, but that's not too hard to understand, because he's literally surrounded by weirdos. His parents are bonkers and even at school he only befriends girls that allegedly come from the moon. Mommy and daddy like to eat meat – and tons of it – but Michael righteously questions the origins of their family diners. For a good half hour or so, I had high hopes that "Parents" would be a refreshing and exciting horror comedy (like "Eating Raoul" or "Flesh Eating Mothers") , but it's actually quite dull and spiritless. This is a black comedy without the courage to offend or upset. There's hardly any gore and the lines and situations remain politically correct at all times. In fact, the only thing about "Parents" that genuinely works effectively is the apt recreation of the 1950's atmosphere. The Leamle family fits perfectly into the idea of a post-war American model family. They live in a cozy suburb, daddy (complete with thick Buddy Holly glasses) goes out working whilst mommy takes care of the household and everybody punctually gathers around the table for diner. The 50's ambiance gets particularly epitomized through the traditional cinematography and the cheerful soundtrack, including contemporary tunes from the Big Bopper and others. I really wanted to like "Parents" a lot more, but it honestly wasn't funny and/or horror enough for my liking. There's only one sequence I really appreciated as a horror fan, notably the ghastly nightmare Michael suffers from, in which his cannibalistic parents chase him around the house with bloodied mouths.
Chrysanthepop
I found out about 'Parents' after watching 'The Children'. I was more curious when I had found out that Bob Balaban had directed it. Was it worth the watch? Yes. Balaban really succeeds in creating a tense chilling atmosphere. Moreover, the 50s suburban setting was refreshing. The sound effects are used effectively. He cleverly includes the stereotype that people have of those who lived in 50's suburbs into the story. The mom and dad characters appear to be your typical all American family but nothing is as it seems on the surface. In addition, to show the film from the perspective of a child is an innovative idea and it also keeps the viewer in suspense because of the lingering question as to whether his suspicions were correct. The humour also works Balaban uses many interesting references like the scene where the kid's splashing in blood reminds one of the highlight scene from Kubrick's 'The Shining'. The performances are first rate. Randy Quaid and Mary Beth Hurt are fantastic as the 'perfect' couple. Bryan Madorsky too does a competent job in carrying the film. 'Parents' is a solid but underrated 'slasher' film. Strongly recommended to fans of the genre.
rwint1611
THE PLOT: A boy starts to believe his 'perfect' and wholesome parents may actually be psychotic murderers.THE POSITIVE: Unlike some of the other silly B-horror films from the 80's era this one doesn't just play it for laughs. There are some genuinely creepy undertones here including a scene where the boy imagines himself falling into a giant pool of blood. The killings are also all done in slow motion, which is pretty cool. The movie also does a good job of keeping the viewer guessing as to whether the parents are really killers or it is all just a part of the boy's already overactive imagination. Sandy Dennis is given a supporting role that is much to undistinguished for a actress of her caliber and yet she is still able to make the most of it. She has a real nice stylishly short and curly haircut and she looks probably better here than she ever did. It is almost hard to fathom that just three years later she would be dead and this would be her second to last movie. This film also does a real good job of photographing food. If you watch this on an empty stomach you most likely will end up getting really hungry.THE NEGATIVE: The kid is the one who actually ends up being creepier than any of the adults. He has real big gloomy looking eyes, he blurts out strange things, and mumbles his lines which sometimes makes him hard to understand. There are certain elements that could have been played up a little bit more, but the most infuriating thing about this whole film is the fact that it never makes it clear whether the parents really were killers or it was just made up.THE LOWDOWN: This film has a little bit more going for it than most B-horror films from the 80's and it does manage to keep you guessing. However the nebulous ending pretty much kills it. The child actor playing the part of the kid is not a very good performer and at times even becomes annoying.THE RATING: 5 out of 10.
