As an avid movie enthusiast, I’ve often dreamed of the day when my entire family could enjoy the same film together. My partner, Mike, has been eager to introduce our three daughters to his favorite movies from the ‘80s ever since they first encountered animated shows. “Are we really watching that again?” I chuckled, recalling his enthusiasm as we navigated their early viewing years.
Once we transitioned to shows like Jessie, iCarly, and Santa Paws, Mike declared it was time for some classic cinema. “It’s time to show the girls what real movies are like, starting with Star Wars,” he proclaimed, anticipating my excitement.
“I’m not sure they’re ready for that,” I replied, trying to recall the specifics of the films from my youth.
“What about The Goonies?” he suggested.
I scoffed, “No way, that won’t hold up.”
“It’s a classic!” he insisted, mimicking Sloth’s “Baby Ruth” line with gusto.
I took a deep breath, deciding to embrace the moment. After gathering the girls, we explained we would be watching a movie from our childhood.
My youngest, Lily, expressed disbelief. “You had TVs back then?”
“Yes, indeed. Your dad had a TV, and we watched movies. This one is called The Goonies, and I promise you’ll love it,” I assured them.
My middle daughter, Chloe, gave me an exaggerated eye roll.
As the movie began, the title appeared in bubble letters, prompting them to shout, “Goonies!” “What even is a goonie?” they inquired.
“A goonie is someone who feels out of place,” Mike explained.
“Were you a Goonie, Dad? Did you not fit in?” Lily asked, giving him a sympathetic look.
“No, I wasn’t a Goonie. Just watch the movie,” he replied, a mix of annoyance and excitement evident in his tone.
I stifled a laugh as Josh Brolin appeared in his iconic sweatsuit.
“Why is he dressed like that? Did he hurt himself?” Lily questioned.
After about thirty minutes of polite viewing, Mike turned to me with a grin. “See? They like it, right girls?”
No response.
“It’s good, right?” he asked, hope in his eyes.
Three pairs of eyes glanced at me before returning to him. “Actually, Dad, it’s kind of boring,” they admitted.
“It’s okay, girls,” I said quickly. “Why don’t you jump on the trampoline for a bit?”
“Sorry, Dad. We prefer movies that aren’t from the olden days,” they said, darting outside before we could persuade them to stay.
A few weeks later, we made another attempt to engage our children with the classics. This time, we rented Back to the Future, popped some popcorn, and nestled onto the couch.
“What does ‘Back to the Future’ mean? Shouldn’t it be ‘To the Future’? You can’t go back to the future, right?” Chloe asked.
Mike sighed. “Can we just watch the movie, please?”
As they settled in, their initial fidgeting faded. This time, the film captured their attention. They loved Marty, and the high school storyline resonated with them. I was surprised by the amount of adult language, but considering I had let them watch Pitch Perfect, I figured they could handle it.
Mike exchanged grins with me throughout the movie. After finishing the Back to the Future series, the girls expressed interest in more films from “the olden days.” We took advantage of Blockbuster’s closing sale to purchase the Star Wars trilogy. They watched Star Wars and The Empire Strikes Back in one sitting. Later, when Mike was at work, they eagerly watched Return of the Jedi, which thrilled him and left him a bit disappointed that they couldn’t wait for him.
Connecting the dots between our childhood favorites and our children’s experiences is truly special. Though we may never share childhood memories, allowing them to glimpse into our past feels like a magical bonding moment. Perhaps they’re ready for Can’t Buy Me Love next.
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Summary
Sharing cherished childhood films with your children can be a delightful experience, creating connections across generations. While not every film may resonate, the journey of introducing your favorites can lead to unexpected bonding moments and new memories.