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Grandparents don’t get enough credit. Ideally, grandchildren come along at a time when a person is financially established and with enough leisure time to devote at least a portion of it to being truly present in the lives of their grandchildren – passing on a passion, providing a secure home base or just simply enjoying time spent together.
But that’s not always the case. Many grandparents right now are playing a tremendously important role in caregiving while schools are closed or operating virtually. Other grandparents keenly feel the lack of time spent with the grandkids in areas where it’s still necessary to keep your distance. In honor of Grandparents Day, which was September 13, here are a few phenomenal grandparents on film:
“Moana” – In this Disney classic, Moana is a young woman who must find the courage to let go of the safety of her island and strike out across the sea to track down a demi-god who can help her restore the heart of the ocean. And this despite the fact that her father forbids her to go near the water! Enter the free-spirited grandma, who encourages Moana to see who she really is inside: a brave and capable and determined spirit who is the only one who can save her family.
“Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” – Legendary chocolate maker Willy Wonka hides five Golden Tickets in chocolate bars – the winners will receive a tour of his Chocolate Factory and a lifetime supply of chocolate! Poor Charlie Bucket – who finds one of the Golden Tickets – is a sweet, devoted grandchild and chooses to bring his Grandpa Joe. As the pair follow the delightful and treacherous tour, Joe shows off the best of grandparenting skills: encouraging and advocating for Charlie at every turn.
“Little Miss Sunshine” – Little Olive isn’t your typical beauty pageant contestant, but that doesn’t stop her from declaring her desire for the Little Miss Sunshine title. Olive’s family – mom, dad, brother, uncle – is dysfunctional, to say the least, and while her grandfather might have some problems of his own and lack proper judgment, he’s there for Olive, coaching her and supporting her all the way.
Peter Falk in “The Princess Bride” (20th Century Fox photo)
“The Princess Bride” – OK, this movie is not about a grandparent, but who can leave out Peter Falk as Grandpa, who narrates the story of the swashbuckling, death-defying Dread Pirate Roberts and the true-hearted Buttercup? Not me.
“Parenthood” – Jason Robards plays a patriarch to an ensemble of neurotic kids who are going through their own issues with parenting. The ensemble comedy is sweet and endearing, and all about the sacrifices and accommodations you make for your kids (and grandkids!).
© 2020 King Features Synd., Inc.
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