Family Movies– the ones that make you laugh … and cry

Not in the mood for a talking cat or a good battle? Sometimes you really just want a heartwarming family feature. Something kind of sweet, maybe a little funny, and long on the warm fuzzies. These are some of the movies our family loves that fall into that category. You’ll notice a definite preference for movies where large families, adoption, and sweet fathers are the focus. What can we say? Sometimes a little nod to the fact that you’re normal– not every teen is a surly snot, not every dad is a disconnected idiot– is what the doctor ordered.

Spurred on by some recent requests for recommendations, our family has compiled a list of our all-time faves. The grand total of films we’ll feature is 31. We’ve broken them up into general content areas, and will post them in a series over the next month. Before we begin, though, a disclaimer: obviously, what our family finds o.k. (like frank discussions about child abuse or the consequences of certain behaviors, for example) might not fit within your family’s culture. And that doesn’t mean that we’re right and you’re wrong, or vice versa. It just means that your family isn’t ours, and ours isn’t yours. If we can all agree to live within that concept as Christians, I think ours would be a much more grace-filled community, don’t you? Please keep that in mind as you look over our list, and let your own family’s compass be your guide.

Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House (1948)– Yes, it’s Cary Grant. Again. This classic opens with Mr. Blandings coming to the realization that the shoe box apartment he and his family inhabit in the city is far from ideal. Enter a ramshackle old house on a slice of beautiful land, a beleaguered architect, a best friend practicing law, and a whole lot of miscommunication. If this sounds familiar, the plot was recycled in the Tom Hanks vehicle, The Money Pit in 1986. This one is much funnier, much cleaner, and has far more creative twists and turns. There are some references to suspected infidelity in this one, so if you avoid such things, wait on this one until you’re ready to have a kid raise an eyebrow or two.

Mr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation (1962)–If our grandkids end up calling Christopher “Boompa,” this movie will be the reason. Mr. Hobbs dreams of a getaway with his wife, and but ends up adding his two adult daughters (and their families), two teens, and their maid to his month-long sabbatical to the seaside. Shifting family dynamics, a son-in-law with a wandering eye, and grandkids being raised with “new fangled” permissive rules make this a hilarious family movie that has its slightly risqué moments … but is über tame by today’s standards.

Room For One More (1952)– This Cary Grant movie opens in a children’s home, with a band of WASPy PTA mothers touring a nursery. Everyone seems all aflutter at the idea of adopting one of the sweet, pink-cheeked infants, but the home’s director quickly steers them towards a play area overrun with children with pasts nowhere near as tidy and short as though innocent babes. What follows is a story that must have been edgy in the 50s: a middle class family begins fostering first a rebellious, broken adolescent girl, then a disabled, mouthy boy with a tendency to use his fists before his smarts. If you have a heart for children, this movie will challenge you to ask yourself what more you can do for the least of these. If you have fostered or adopted, you’ll want to cry in some moments and laugh in others. A must watch.

Houseboat (1958)– A busy, widowed father hires none other than Sophia Loren to mind his three children on their houseboat home. This is a sweet “every family needs a woman’s touch” ride that will make you giggle and maybe even laugh out loud.

My Six Loves (1963)–Debbie Reynolds is an overworked Broadway star forced into a period of sabbatical. While resting, she discovers six abandoned children living on her property. The changes in her heart and lifestyle are sweet indeed.

Cheaper by the Dozen (1950)– My family enjoys the updated Steve Martin version, but this telling of the real-life Gilbreth family is far superior. First: if you haven’t read the book, written by two of the Gilbreth children, you must start there. Then, find this movie. You’ll love watching the family come to life. The father is hilarious, and the kids are obedient but just a touch mischievous. The ending still gets me every time.

The Little Princess (1997)– Based on the Frances Hodgson Burnett novel, this movie captures the dreary despair perfectly before spiraling into the colorful, joyous magic of the tale. While it looks like a “girl movie,” my boys have enjoyed it right alongside their sisters. Maybe it’s the monkey?

Akeela and the Bee (2006)– Akeela’s rough neighborhood doesn’t dampen her desire to soak up knowledge. A strong mentor, a passion driven by love and memory, and a genuine caring for other people make this movie worth watching.

Father of the Bride (1950/1991)–We like both versions of this sweet Daddy/Daughter story. It’s a toss up, really. Spencer Tracy wins as the gruff father with a only slightly hidden sweet spot for his girl. But Steve Martin playing basketball with his daughter at night? Yeah … you can’t go wrong either way.

 

Next up … ALL THE REST!