Parents

Parents is a 1989 American-Canadian dark comedy horror film directed by Bob Balaban and featuring a remarkable cast of talented actors, including Randy Quaid, Mary Beth Hurt, and Sandy Dennis.

Set in suburbia in the late 1950s, the movie brings to life a macabre tale encompassing themes of horror, humor, and surrealism. The film is a unique combination of post-war tranquility and unknowable terror, intricately draped in the mysterious and eerie ways of suburban family life.

The story unfolds through the eyes of a young boy named Michael Laemle, ably portrayed by Bryan Madorsky. An only child, Michael is a smart, quiet, and somewhat introverted 10-year-old with an imaginative and speculative mind. He is overwhelmingly intrigued and disturbed by his parents' peculiar habits, primarily their culinary proclivities, instigating the main plot line of the film.

Randy Quaid and Mary Beth Hurt play Nick and Lily Laemle, respectively, who are Michael’s parents. Nick is a scientist involved in developing pesticides, while Lily is a housewife. Quaid’s performance as amicable yet oppressive Nick is intriguingly disturbing. His superficial charm barely conceals a character of questionable intent. On the other hand, Hurt plays the ambivalent mother, torn between the love for her son and loyalty to her husband, with exceptional acuity.

A unique element of this film is its ability to explore the quirks and anxieties of a child pushed to questioning reality. The film effectively uses Michael's developing apprehensions and doubts about his parents and what they might be serving him for dinner. The movie’s tone wavers between drawn-out suspense and short bursts of horror, gradually building up tension that ominously escalates towards uncertainty and fear.

Sandy Dennis brings to life the character of Millie Dew, a caring school psychologist who notices Michael's distress and attempts to help him. She adds another edge to the plot, escalating the sense of impending danger and heightening the air of mystery with her subtly creepy yet compassionate portrayal.

Director Bob Balaban proves his mettle in the horror-comedy genre by employing the mundane euphoria of suburban life and contrasting it with the grim undertones of cannibalism. His creative use of visual elements and lighting to signify the vagueness of human relationships is exceptionally engaging. The film’s dimly-lit porous textures and pastel-shaded interiors contribute to its uneasy, isolated atmosphere.

Additionally, the film's soundtrack plays an integral role in fostering this atmosphere. Composed by Angelo Badalamenti, it wonderfully catches the essence of a fairytale horror story unfolding in post-war America. The score subtly underscores the apprehension and unease throughout the film, building dramatic tension and contributing to a general sense of foreboding.

Parents, though surface wise a low-key suburban story, excavates deep horrors in the most ordinary of environments. It is a remarkably unsettling exploration of innocence, fear, and the discovery of harsh realities. By focusing on the old saying, "You are what you eat," it transforms idyllic domesticity into a realm of stunning horror, raising questions about what transpires behind closed doors and cleverly packaging strange suburban anxieties into a spread of cleverly cooked-up horror.

In conclusion, Parents is a distinct cinematic experience that uses the veneer of 1950s Americana to explore the darkness underneath. Through performances that tread the line between charm and creepiness, a visually striking aesthetic, and a story that is both humorous and shocking, it serves up a rich, multi-layered horror dish with a side of dark comedy. The film is worth a watch for those who enjoy a good horror mixed with satirical humor and a dash of social commentary.