Parenthood (1989)

Jason Robards: Frank Buckman

Photos 

Quotes 

• Larry Buckman : [after he rolls from a moving car, he stands up and brushes himself off]  Hi, Dad. Dinner ready?

  Frank : [bewildered]  What was that?

  Larry Buckman : Huh? Oh, some - friends were just dropping me off.

  Frank : Friends? Friends slow down, they even stop!

  [Larry walks away chuckling as Cool catches up to him] 

• Frank : You know, when you were two years old, we thought you had polio. Did you know that?

  Gil : Yeah, Mom said... something about it a couple of years ago.

  Frank : Yeah, well, for a week we didn't know. I hated you for that.

  [Gil looks surprised and hurt] 

  Frank : I did. I hated having to care, having to go through the pain, the hurt, the suffering. It's not for me.

• Frank : [on parenting]  It's like your Aunt Edna's ass. It goes on forever and it's just as frightening.

  Gil : That's true.

  Frank : There is no end zone. You never cross the goal line, spike the ball and do your touchdown dance. Never.

• Cool : My dad's going away.

  Frank : Yes.

  Cool : He's leaving right away.

  Frank : Yes.

  Cool : Is he ever coming back?

  Frank : [quietly, after a very long pause]  No.

  [another pause] 

  Frank : Would you like to live here, with us?

  Cool : [nods]  Yeah.

  Frank : [smiles]  Good.

• Frank : [after Larry has returned Frank's car to the garage]  Don't bullshit me! It belittles us both.

• Frank : [after power failure]  Your mouth used up all the power.

• Frank : Gil, you have a good memory. Uh, was it yours or Helen's or Susan's wedding I got drunk at?

  Gil : It was all three, Dad. Congratulations.

  Frank : Well, which one did I punch the band leader?

  Gil : That was mine. We have photos. I'm having them blown up for the commitment hearings.

  [Susan laughs] 

  Frank : [mimics Susan laughing]  Well, you think he's funny. Well, when he was a kid, he wasn't as funny. Stayed in his room all day. Boy, you were a moody little son of a bitch.

  Gil : [sarcastically]  Gee, I wonder why.

• Gil : [Frank has asked Gil for advice about Larry]  And you want my advice? Why me? Why now?

  Frank : Because I know you think I was a shitty father.

  [Gil is silent] 

  Frank : Thank you for not arguing. And I know you're a good father.

• Larry Buckman : Dad, I can't get a break. I have been so close so many times I could touch it.

  Frank : Did you ever think about getting a job?

  Larry Buckman : Oh great. Oh that is just great now. What did you always tell me? "Make your mark, don't be one of the numbers."

  Frank : You misunderstood me. You weren't listening.

• Larry Buckman : [approaching Grandma]  Is that Grandma?

  Frank : Yeah, she's still alive.

  Larry Buckman : [Larry and Grandma laugh and embrace]  Jeez Grandma, you got short.

  Grandma : I'm shrinking!

  Larry Buckman : [briefly chuckles]  Bummer!