As an avid movie enthusiast, I’ve always dreamed of the day when my entire family could enjoy the same film together. My partner has long expressed his desire to share his cherished ’80s classics with our three daughters, ever since they first encountered the antics of a certain whiny cartoon character. “You mean this kid again?” I chuckled, reminding him that our girls might not be ready for those nostalgic flicks just yet.
When the girls finally transitioned to shows like Jessie, iCarly, and even Santa Paws, he declared it was time to introduce them to “real movies,” starting with the iconic Star Wars. I sensed he anticipated my enthusiastic approval, but I hesitated. “I don’t think they’re quite ready for that,” I replied, trying to recall the plotlines of those films.
“What about The Goonies?” he suggested.
I couldn’t help but snicker, “Not a chance, it probably won’t resonate with them.”
“Goonies is a classic! They’ll love it!” he insisted, before mimicking the famous “Baby Ruth” line in a manner that was both humorous and nostalgic.
Deciding to embrace the moment, I chose to go along with his plan. We gathered the girls and explained we were about to watch a film from our own childhood.
Finley, our 6-year-old, looked shocked. “You had TVs for movies back then?”
“Very clever. Yes, your dad had a TV, and we watched films. This one is called The Goonies. It was a big hit for him, and you’ll love it too.”
Our middle daughter shot me a dramatic eye roll.
As the film began, the title appeared in bubbly letters, prompting them to echo “Goonies.” “What’s a goonie?” they inquired.
“A goonie is someone who feels out of place,” my partner explained.
“Were you a Goonie, Dad? Did you not fit in?” Finley asked, giving him a sympathetic pat.
“No, I wasn’t a Goonie. Just watch,” he replied, showing a mix of annoyance and excitement.
I stifled a laugh as Josh Brolin graced the screen in his retro sweatsuit.
“Why is he dressed like that? Did he have surgery and regular clothes hurt him now?” Finley asked.
After about half an hour of polite viewing, my partner turned to me with a hopeful grin. “See? They like it. Right, girls?”
Silence.
“It’s good, right?” he pressed.
Three pairs of blue eyes darted between us. “Actually, Dad, it’s not very good. It’s kind of boring.”
“It’s alright, girls,” I interjected. “How about jumping on the trampoline for a bit?”
“Sorry, Dad. We just prefer movies that aren’t from the olden days. You can keep watching.” They dashed outside before we could persuade them to stay.
Weeks later, we made another attempt to bond over films from “the olden days.” This time, we ordered Back to the Future, popped popcorn, and cozied up on the couch.
“So what does ‘Back to the Future’ mean? Shouldn’t it be ‘To the Future’ or ‘Back in Time’? You can’t go back to the future, can you?” Avery asked.
My partner took a deep breath. “Girls, can we just watch the movie?”
They sat back, fidgeting but quiet.
This time, the allure of the film captivated them. They adored Marty, and the high school setting resonated with them. I didn’t recall the language being so risqué, but considering I had already let them watch Pitch Perfect, I figured they could handle it.
My partner shot me several pleased glances throughout the film. After finishing the Back to the Future trilogy, the girls expressed a desire to explore more movies from “the Olden Days.” We seized the opportunity to buy the Star Wars trilogy during Blockbuster’s closing sale. They watched Star Wars and The Empire Strikes Back in one go. Later, when my partner was at work, they eagerly dove into Return of the Jedi, leaving him both thrilled and a tad disappointed to have missed out.
Connecting with our children through the films we cherished in our youth creates a unique bond. While we may never share the exact experiences of growing up side by side, introducing them to our beloved films opens a magical window into our childhoods, almost like a playdate. Perhaps next up is Can’t Buy Me Love…
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Summary:
This article reflects on a parent’s experience of revisiting childhood films with their children, highlighting the generational gap in entertainment preferences. Despite initial reluctance, the children eventually embraced some classics, leading to shared moments and memories. The narrative emphasizes the joy of connecting through beloved films, bridging the past with the present.
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