“You need a license to buy a dog… to drive a car… hell, you need a license to catch a fish. But they’ll let any butt-reaming asshole be a father.”
synopsis
The Buckman family spans three generations of anxiety, overachievement, underachievement, neuroses, and sibling rivalry. From a father obsessed with raising a “perfect” son to a black-sheep sibling who returns with questionable life choices, the film interweaves multiple storylines to show that no one escapes the chaos of family expectations.
pairs well with ...
mini-review
This one hits deeper than it pretends to. It’s funny — Steve Martin’s meltdown energy is always reliable — but it’s also quietly honest about how exhausting love can be. The film understands that parenting is not about control; it’s about surviving uncertainty. It balances comedy and heartbreak with surprising maturity. By the end, you feel seen rather than entertained.
A reflective evening after talking with your own siblings.
Absurdist's Corner
Every family dinner looks chaotic — yet somehow nobody storms out permanently. That’s either unrealistic… or very real.
fun facts
Keanu Reeves appears in a small supporting role early in his career.
Dianne Wiest received an Oscar nomination for her performance.
The film later inspired a successful TV adaptation.