The other night I re-watched Our Souls At Night for the I’ve-lost-count time. Such a seemingly simply story, but has so much in it to think about. I think Redford would agree it has “meat.” I chose not to have children, but have wonderful friends who have had children. As smart, talented, kind, dedicated to community and a healthy eco-world these good friends are, they count themselves as poor parents. One of the things I like about this movie is that both these main characters with love and good intent, still have to come to terms with not being perfect parents. This society puts great pressure on parents to be perfect or some over the top great parent that is perhaps unattainable. We are all flawed imperfect creatures and most want to be if not perfect as good as we possibly can be, at especially what we love the most, which is usually close relationships. So often Hollywood portrays the worst for dramatic interest or in the 50’s the idea of a perfect parent. I like that this movie shows not just the main characters grappling with knowing that they failed their children but we see the grown children learning to accept their parents as the imperfect humans they are and move on. It’s a much more honest portrayal which all four actors do beautifully. In social work many schools of thought are aimed at determining if the parent meets a GOOD ENOUGH standard. Can the child get enough nurturing to grow and be safe enough not to be harmed. Children are resilient. Most bond even with the worse parents. They will struggle to reconnect even after raised in a good foster home. If they can stay safely in the home with this good enough standard that is the best goal. This is such a wonderful movie. I assume all Fonda/Redford fans will want to see it, own it and share it with friends.