Crystal, Midler ‘mesh in a unique way’

MANILA, Philippines - Comedy icons Bette Midler and Billy Crystal star in the family-centric comedy Parental Guidance together with Marisa Tomei, Tom Everett Scott, Bailee Madison, Joshua Rush and Kylie Harrison Breitkopf, directed by Andy Fickman. 

A comedic and emotionally rich depiction of the clashing parenting styles between the generations, Parental Guidance’s subject matter, characters and actors are relatable to all audiences. The movie is the first comedy in many years that shows grandparents as active, funny, involved and vital characters — and central to modern family life.   

Alice (Tomei) in desperation calls her parents Artie (Crystal) and Diane (Midler) to look after their three children when she and her husband need to go on a trip. In the story, Crystal’s Artie and Midler’s Diane are “the other grandparents” to their three grandchildren — meaning their son-in-law’s parents have a much stronger connection with the kids, which Diane envies and has long sought to correct.

A big motivation for Midler to join Parental Guidance was the chance to team with Crystal. The two have been friends for nearly 30 years, but this is their first professional collaboration. “Billy and I have similar tastes in theater, movies, music and humor, so it was pretty easy for us to play a married couple,” says the actress. “We know what each other is going to do, so we mesh in a unique way.”

Parental Guidance opens on Jan. 16.