Parenthood (1989 Ron Howard)

A familiar friend that's gone a bit squidgy over time. Well, I suppose it always was (e.g. too many cutaways to cute kids - judicious editing would be welcome). Blow job reference alone surely isn't enough to make it a 15 though?

Of cast, Helen Shaw (who made it to 100 in 1997) has the great rollercoaster anecdote that leads to perhaps Ron's most cinematic moment (possibly though already written into Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel's script?). Interesting that many of them (e.g. Tom Hulce, Martha Plimpton and Rick Moranis) didn't go far.

Diane Weist is great of course; Keanu Reeves at his most natural; Leaf (Joaquin) Phoenix showing signs of things to come; honorable mention to Eileen Ryan as Hulce's long-suffering mother.

Aspect ratio mystery finally sorted = it was shot open matte. Blu-Ray presents it 1.85:1 like in cinemas.