The Father

The mental state of main protagonists can have interesting creative results upon any narrative. For example, Joker (2019) created ambiguity using Arthur Fleck as an unreliable narrator whose hallucinations brought numerous elements into question. This brings us to a new entry into this topic, The Father, which was the directorial debut of Florian Zeller and was based on his 2012 play Le Pere. It debuted in film festivals last year but wasn't given a public released until earlier this year. I didn't know much about it except for Anthony Hopkins Oscar winning performance. I went in blind with checking it out and after watching it, I was impressed by a great outing for a directors first film.

What's it about? The story follows an aging father whose dementia tragically affects his relationship with this daughter. This isn't so much a movie that's focused on having a plot where things happen but rather a character focused mental health decline. The portrayal of this illness is handled excellently between the jumps in time and perspectives on lost memories. It's treated very seriously between how people react to him as well as observing the familiar pain of watching a relative dwindle away their own sense of reality. The subject matter may not be anything new but the execution is worth the watch.

If there was anything that needed to be improved, it would be the way the daughter's boyfriend interacts with the father. On its own, that aspect is fine but compared to the quality of the other supporting characters are handled, that behavior could have maybe used one more scene to flesh it out more instead of coming out for plot convenience. 

 

How are the actors? In regards to story importance, the actors to focus on are Anthony Hopkins and Olivia Coleman. Anthony gives an amazing performance that's abundant with a wide range of emotions that delivers on the weight of this role and absolutely deserved that Oscar win. Olivia isn't in the movie that much but she gives a pretty good supportive portrayal as she tries to keep her composure around her ailing parent while trying to do what's best for him. Honorable mentions Olivia Williams, Rufus Sewell, and Imogen Poots for giving wonderful distinct performances for their respective dual roles.  

 

Overall Consensus: The Father makes the most of its simple but effective premise thanks to impressive direction, excellent acting, and pretty good emotional weight to a depressing but familiar topic. ⭑⭑⭑⭑1/2 Runtime: 1 hour 39 minutes PG-13

 

Reasons to watch it: You are a fan of the aforementioned actors. You want to see how dementia is portrayed alongside its effect on the narrative. You don't mind depressing subject matter in dramas. You want to see how Hopkins earned in award. 

 

Reasons to avoid it: You aren't a fan of the aforementioned actors. You dislike watching depressing subject matter in dramas.