Bootleg Betty
13 Years Ago Today, Parental Guidance Was Released
By Mister D
Dec. 25, 2025
Parental Guidance (2012), a family comedy directed by Andy Fickman and starring Billy Crystal, Bette Midler, Marisa Tomei, and Tom Everett Scott, was theatrically released (which serves as its public premiere) on December 25, 2012, in the United States.
Brief overview: Artie (Billy Crystal) and Diane Decker (Bette Midler) are old-school grandparents asked to babysit their three grandchildren while their daughter Alice (Marisa Tomei) and son-in-law Phil (Tom Everett Scott) are away for work. Chaos ensues as the grandparents’ relaxed, traditional parenting style clashes with the kids’ modern, highly structured upbringing under their “helicopter” parents, leading to humorous generational conflicts and eventual family bonding. It’s a light-hearted film exploring parenting differences across generations.
* This marked Midler’s first major live-action film role in four years (since 2008’s The Women), and she jumped at the script, calling it a “no-brainer” despite often turning down low-budget offers.
- Producers were so eager to have her that they let Midler personally design Diane’s colorful, quirky wardrobe—reflecting her vibrant personality and adding a touch of “Divine Miss M” flair to the character.
- Midler performs a standout musical moment in the film: she and Crystal break into a song-and-dance version of “The Book of Love,” delighting the grandkids (and showcasing her singing talents, naturally).
- This was her first on-screen pairing with longtime friend Billy Crystal after knowing each other for over 30 years. They instantly clicked as an old married couple, even improvising husband-wife habits like finishing each other’s sentences during script meetings.
- Winner: ASCAP Film and Television Music Award for Top Box Office Films (to composer Marc Shaiman, for the film’s score and its commercial success).
- AARP Movies for Grownups Awards (one nomination in the Best Comedy category, among others in that group’s recognitions for films appealing to older audiences).
