Product Details

• Actors: Craig T. Nelson, Lauren Graham, Peter Krause
• Producers: Ron Howard, Brian Grazer
• Format: AC-3, Box set, Color, Dolby, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 5.1)
• Subtitles: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
• Number of discs: 3
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Universal Studios
• DVD Release Date: August 31, 2010
• Run Time: 570 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (226 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B003QZSWRY
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,177 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Created by Jason Katims (Friday Night Lights), NBC's Parenthood arrives with a roster of familiar names, including producer Ron Howard, who directed the original comedy. In the pilot, Adam Braverman (Peter Krause, Six Feet Under) learns that his son, Max (Max Burkholder), may have Asperger's syndrome; his brother, Crosby (Dax Shepard), finds out he's a father; and Sarah (Lauren Graham, Gilmore Girls) moves back to Berkeley with her kids, Drew (Miles Heizer) and Amber (Mae Whitman, Arrested Development). That leaves their sister, Julia (Erika Christensen), who struggles to balance motherhood with a career.

Until she finds a place of her own, the divorced Sarah lives with parents Zeek (Craig T. Nelson) and Camille (Bonnie Bedelia), who aren't as happy as she thought. She also reconnects with an old high-school boyfriend (Glee's Mike O'Malley) and considers a relationship with Amber's English teacher (Joan of Arcadia's Jason Ritter), while Crosby gets to know his son with Jasmine (Joy Bryant), a former flame. Adam's 15-year-old daughter, Haddie (Sarah Ramos), also starts dating, which causes her father and mother, Kristina (Monica Potter), no end of stress.

The cozy California setup--including overlapping dialogue--recalls Brothers and Sisters, except Parenthood moves at a more relaxed pace. The entire ensemble is strong, even Shepard, an actor best known for comedies, like Idiocracy. In their commentary on the first episode, Katims and director Thomas Schlamme say they shot the pilot with Maura Tierney, who had to drop out due to health reasons (they re-shot after Graham joined the cast). If Parenthood is rarely as funny as the 1989 movie, it becomes more emotionally involving as these 13 episodes unfold (a benefit of long-form storytelling). Interestingly, it's the second series to spin off the film--the 1990 version met with cancellation. --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Product Description

Parenthood follows four grown siblings of the far-from-perfect Braverman clan as they try to balance kids and careers, dreams and commitments, and romance or a total lack thereof.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

61 of 64 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Show June 23, 2010

By ShopGirl

Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase

I enjoyed this show right from the beginning, but as each episode aired I fell more and more in love. The writing is intelligent and incredibly full of depth - the characters in this family have been developed in such a way that I honestly feel like I know them in real life . . . they mirror such traits that are so often found in everyone's family. The acting is absolutely top-notch. Peter Krause and Lauren Graham shine in every episode and do a nice job of anchoring as the oldest siblings. The younger two siblings, played by Dax Shepard and Erika Christensen, also give surprisingly poignant, and often hilarious, performances. As if that weren't enough, add in Monica Potter, Craig T. Nelson, Mae Whitman, and Bonnie Bedelia to perfectly round out the cast. One of my favorite things about this show is how it has lovely balance of drama and humor. Just as in real life, the most heart-wrenching of dilemmas will be quickly followed by a hilarious quip (usually perfectly delivered by Lauren or Dax) that instantly takes the viewer from tears to laughs. This is scripted family drama done to perfection. Also, the look and feel of the show is simply gorgeous - kudos to the set designers. I very much appreciate the journey I have taken with the Bravermans during these thirteen episodes, for I have very much come to care for this fictional family, and cannot wait for season 2 to begin in September.

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Breath Of Fresh Air September 4, 2010

By Barry

Format:DVD

Parenthood swept onto the airwaves mid-season this past year and filled in a void on television. As the title of my review says, the show was a real breath of fresh air. I have never been one for procedurals and doctors and lawyers, and we get a lot of that on network TV. So, it was nice to see a family show come on that was just about people. It's not flashy, or gimmicky, or trying to be hip and edgy(which most other shows fall all over themselves trying to be and end up looking and feeling like everything else). Given it's pedigree (coming from a wonderful 1989 hit film and a cute 1990-91 series)from executive producers Ron Howard, Lowell Ganz, and Babaloo Mandel, it had a lot going for it. So, let's jump right in....

The series is not about the same family in the 1989 movie or previous series. It's a whole new family. They are the Bravermans, and they reside in Berkley, California. The patriarchs of the family are Zeek and Camille Braverman(Craig T. Nelson, Bonnie Bedelia), and the family extends to their four grown kids and their families. The oldest is Adam(Six Feet Under's Peter Krause), married to Kristina(Monica Potter), and has 2 kids, Haddie and Max. Next up is Sarah(Gilmore Girls' Lauren Graham), who is a single mother to two teenage kids, Amber(Mae Whitman)and Drew. Next is Crosby(Dax Shepard), a single guy working in the music business who has a girlfriend and lives on a houseboat. And lastly, there is the youngest of the four, Julia(Erika Christensen), a lawyer, who is married to stay at home dad Joel, and has a little girl named Sydney.

Because it was a mid season show, the first season consists of only 13 episodes, instead of the usual 22 or so. Still, season 1 packs a lot into the shorter seasons. I won't go into detail for every episode, but here are some of the stuff you can expect in the Braverman's debut season. The "Pilot" episode establishes the setting and the characters, including Sarah's return home(and moving in with her parents with her kids), and Crosby learning he has a son he never knew from a previous relationship. Episode 2 is "Man Versus Possum", an episode that has Adam and Kristina coming to terms with the fact their son Max has Asperger's Syndrome, Autism, and all that details. It's a strong storyline and is a major focus all year long. Sarah is also job hunting in this episode. Episode 4, "Wassup", is the season's first really great episode, with Adam and Kristina going out of their way to find out about their daughter Haddie's secret relationship. It gets very comical elsewhere when Sarah(and then others)try to deal with Drew becoming "a man". Jason Ritter begins a guest arc in episode 5, "The Situation", playing Amber's teacher, who strikes a chord with Sarah. Julia and Joel fear Sydney may have Asperger's in episode 8, "Rubber Band Ball", where Adam learns of a financial situation his father is in. Sarah learns of her father's situation in episode 10, "Namaste No More". A 3 episode arc begins when Amber betrays Haddies in episode 11, "Solace". The last two episodes of the season, "Team Braverman" and "Lost And Found" continue to deal with the two cousins' fallout, as well as Crosby's future with his son, and the Braverman patriarchs' problems. There is much more here, but that would be spoiling.

Season one of "Parenthood" is a delight. The "Pilot" episode was a strong debut, but it was a little unsure of what it was. While the 1989 movie had no problem balancing the delicate act of comedy, drama, and family dynamics, the pilot isn't quite as assured as you hoped. A little more on the drama than the comedy. Thankfully, it gets better and becomes stronger and more sure of itself with episode 2. From there, the show grows and becomes it's own thing. It wonderfully balances the daily lives and schedules of a family, with the right helpings of drama, heart, warmth, and humor. It doesn't hurt that the writing is great, but it would be nothing if it didn't have the right cast bringing it to life. The cast is wonderful. Each character is their own person and the actors bring each to life with his or her own personality. Not surprisingly, Krause and Graham are the stand outs, but it must be said that Dax Shepard is the biggest surprise out of the cast. He is funny, but deals with his newfound parenthood with a lot of heart and honesty. Seriously, everyone here is great. One of the best casts currently on TV.

"Parenthood" is a wonderful show. Season 1 was a winner and great way to be introduced to the large Braverman clan. I can't wait for season 2.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A great show August 29, 2010

By Gary Hale

Format:DVD

This is one of the best shows on TV. Real-life drama that gets to your heart because it's stuff that actually happens in real life. You'll find yourself relating to these characters and yearning to find out what is going to happen next. Add in the subtle humor, great videography and there's not much more you need in a TV show. The actors/actresses all do a beautiful job in playing their parts. Can't wait to see what comes next in Parenthood!