Parents' Guide to As They Made Us

Mayim Bialik makes an impressive, if uneven, feature writing and directing debut, telling the prodigal son story from the point of view of the daughter who stayed. Abigail and her brother, Nathan (Helberg), took different paths to deal with their emotionally and sometimes physically abusive parents: Nathan left the toxicity behind and never looked back, while Abigail stayed and took on the full burden of caring for them. As viewers learn the full story of their difficult childhood, Bialik offers us a gauge against which to consider our own childhood experiences. Abigail and Nathan were kids in the '80s, a time when a parent smacking a kid who got out of line wasn't unheard of. With alcohol, drug use, and undiagnosed psychiatric conditions fueling their parents' behavior, especially the fighting, many adult viewers may find themselves reflecting on their own childhoods -- and the title makes it clear that that's Bialik's intent.

As They Made Us is overflowing with humanity, but it gets less enjoyable to watch as time ticks by. Eugene (Hoffman) is dying a slow death, and that's an apt metaphor for how viewers might feel. Bialik's directing is solid, and the cast's performances are excellent, but the script needs work to keep viewers engaged. Bialik's expertise in comedic talent is evident in the lightness infused in the dialogue, and it's hard to hate Bergen, even if her character is loathsome. While there's not much here for teens, Jewish families may especially appreciate the care Bialik has taken in representing Jewish culture and rituals.