It was OK. I don't see why everyone loves it so much. It wasn't very smart or deep or well-directed.

While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.

Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.

Do you think Facebook is the devil? Are you proud of the fact that you don't know how to send an email? Do you eat bacon for breakfast, like 7 days a week, and scoff at those hippy doctors who tell you to watch your cholesterol? Then chances are you'll love "Parental Guidance". By the way, all of these things describe my grumpy grandfather, and I truly think he would love this movie."Parental Guidance" told from the perspective of cranky grampa Billy Crystal and peacekeeper grandma Bette Midler, is the story of 2 reluctant grandparents who must watch their uncontrollable, bratty grandkids for a week. The film ridicules everything "new" from twitter to smart technology to health food to positive parenting, and it shows us the "disastrous" consequences of embracing these things--from the viewpoint of grumpy gramps.For example, the kids are outright disgusting aberrations of humanity. 5 minutes into the film, you want to go out back, cut a switch, and bushwhack them within an inch of their lives. At least that's what the film wants you to feel, because their stupid new age parents refuse to say the word "no" to them. Thus they turn into monsters.Again, this is exactly how my own grumpy gramps thinks; he thinks teachers should have the right to beat kids for misbehaving. He thinks parents who watch their kids' sugar intake are morons because he grew up eating Super Sugar Crisp and look how well he turned out.Billy Crystal taking this role, I can understand... he does a very good grump. But here's the big problem: since this is supposedly a family film, all of Billy's characteristic sarcasm (which made him entertaining in films like Harry Met Sally) isn watered down just shy of a good punchline. For a cranky old granpa to work, he should be a parody of himself so we can laugh at how extreme he is. But no, we didn't quite get that cynical wit that makes Billy fun.So we're left with 90 mins of goofy new age stereotypes, bratty kids, and Billy rolling his eyes as if that's the punchline. In other words, it's pure situational comedy, and if you don't find the situation funny, then you're outta luck. If you're below the age of 75, you might want to avoid this movie.

This movie brings together the modern feel good holistic parenting as compared to the dictatorship parenting of yesteryear. In it, the grandparents are asked to come care for the grandkids after the parents are converting a business trip to a mini-vacation. What is really good is the paring of Billy Crystal and Bette Midler as the grandparents. I was reminded of how funny Crystal can be. Lot of gag bits but humorous to see how the family dynamic plays out. It reminds you that parenting is trial and error and there is no real way to mess up the children's lives. This movie is fun and should be perfect for any family who has a challenge for teaching intergenerational lessons.

I read the "expert" reviews when the movie hit the theaters. Subsequently I did not see the movie at that time. It has appeared on cable numerous times, & I have seen the movie more than I can count. I find something else to like about it each time I watch. It is a family focused movie - heartwarming & funny and at times, hysterical.When grandparents Artie (Billy Crystal) and Diane (Bette Midler) are asked by their somewhat distant (emotionally and geographically) daughter Alice (Marisa Tomei) and son-in-law Phil (Tom Everett Scott) to care for their three children while the parents attend a work conference/mini-vacation, Bette is thrilled to try to connect with the family (especially the grand-kids). Artie has just been fired as the long-time announcer for the Fresno Grizzlies for being "old-school", so he's going into the situation a bit wounded. The fact that the young family has a talking/interactive house and car (which Phil invented/developed) is baffling and Artie takes the mispronunciation of his name personally (& it's just funny). The hyper-type A parenting style of Alice and Phil (especially Alice) is well balanced by the easy-going style of Diane and Artie. Artie allows his self-centeredness to interfere on occasion – that's when the most trouble arises. Still, Artie and Diane are a strong team and that heart is shared with Alice, Phil & and kids. The three children are distinctly different from each other, but all affected by the type-A parenting of Alice and Phil. A strong sense of family and love is what binds them together – warts and all.I enjoy watching Billy Crystal movies, he does not disappoint in this movie as well. Bette Midler just glowed in this role – she held her own with Billy Crystal without dominating; Bette just made the scene better and believable. The movie has an all-around great cast; the acting is natural. LOVE the closing credits & final scene after the credits. This movie has become one of my recent favorites.

Something I don't like about movies with kids is when the child roles are unbelievable or near villainous.This film portrayed the children accurately and lovably. Billy Crystals humor was understandable to all ages. The fun kept me watching and -- was that Betty Middler?This movie is so up beat. I would recommend it to those who are having a hard time in their lives. As well as to families. I can see this movie being very influential on airplane flights to vacation spots. I really trust Billy Crystal in this regard. The world need more movies like these.I still shave my legs BTW.