Watch Leave It to Beaver

"Leave It to Beaver" is a 1997 family comedy film based on the classic television series of the same name. The film stars Christopher McDonald as father Ward Cleaver, Janine Turner as mother June Cleaver, and Cameron Finley as the titular character, Beaver Cleaver. The movie follows the Cleaver family as they navigate the ups and downs of suburban life in the late 1950s. Beaver, a curious and sometimes mischievous young boy, is the heart of the story, constantly getting into scrapes but always learning valuable life lessons along the way.

Despite its happy-go-lucky facade, the Cleaver family and their community deal with issues such as peer pressure, race relations, and financial worries. In the hands of director Andy Cadiff, however, these heavy themes are woven into a light-hearted and charming story that celebrates the innocence and optimism of post-war America.

Throughout the film, we see Ward and June dealing with their respective roles as parents and partners, and struggling to find a balance between their own needs and the needs of their family. Meanwhile, Beaver navigates the tricky waters of childhood, facing bullies, crushes, and the everyday pitfalls of growing up.

The film is notable for its strong performances, especially from Finley, who brings a contagious energy and humor to the role of Beaver. McDonald and Turner also shine as the loving and imperfect Cleaver parents, and the supporting cast is filled with familiar faces such as Adam Arkin, Barbara Billingsley (who played the original June Cleaver in the television series), Alan Rachins, and Grace Phillips.

Overall, "Leave It to Beaver" is a sweet and nostalgic film that captures the essence of the original television series while updating it for a modern audience. It's a movie that will appeal to both fans of the show and newcomers, and is sure to leave audiences feeling uplifted and nostalgic for a simpler time.

Leave It to Beaver is a 1997 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 28 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.2 and a MetaScore of 42.