A great deal of cinema, especially more recent cinema, relies on the absence, apathy, or incompetence of parents. Glamour, adventure, and conflict are granted to glorious youth, but once you hit 35 or have children, you are automatically considered boring. This is not to say that all films with bad parents are bad films - simply that seems to be the default position, and I think it's stupid.
This list is a collection of films that, in my opinion, believe that parenthood is significant, and it is a reality that has effects on everyone. Some of these explicitly discuss parenthood, like INTERSTELLAR, whereas for some it is subtle (or arguably ancillary), like CHOCOLAT. Regardless, the characters live their lives -…
A great deal of cinema, especially more recent cinema, relies on the absence, apathy, or incompetence of parents. Glamour, adventure, and conflict are granted to glorious youth, but once you hit 35 or have children, you are automatically considered boring. This is not to say that all films with bad parents are bad films - simply that seems to be the default position, and I think it's stupid.
This list is a collection of films that, in my opinion, believe that parenthood is significant, and it is a reality that has effects on everyone. Some of these explicitly discuss parenthood, like INTERSTELLAR, whereas for some it is subtle (or arguably ancillary), like CHOCOLAT. Regardless, the characters live their lives - at least in part - in reaction to the decisions and lives of their parents.
These are not exclusively "nice" films about parents, but I deliberately didn't prioritize "gritty" films either, as those are usually a flimsy excuse to have people be needlessly cruel to each other in the guise of Real Art. Instead, the priority was sincerity. Does the movie believe parenthood matters? Is there an attempt for characters to pursue goodness? Are there clear and honest consequences if they do or do not pursue goodness?
