The Father Review: A Tough, Emotional Story of Family and Responsibility

Release date: March 12, 2021 (Theaters) and March 26, 2021 (PVOD)
Running time: 97 minutes
Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Olivia Colman, Mark Gatiss, Imogen Poots, Rufus Sewell, Olivia Williams
Director: Florian Zeller

Anthony is 80, mischievous, living defiantly alone and rejecting the caretakers that his daughter, Anne, encouragingly introduces. Yet help is also becoming a necessity for Anne; she can’t make daily visits anymore and Anthony’s grip on reality is unravelling. As we experience the ebb and flow of his memory, how much of his own identity and past can Anthony cling to? How does Anne cope as she grieves the loss of her father, while he still lives and breathes before her? THE FATHER warmly embraces real life, through loving reflection upon the vibrant human condition; heart-breaking and uncompromisingly poignant – a movie that nestles in the truth of our own lives.

The Father is a film for those that love good acting and good dialogue.  The film has a stellar cast, headlined by the always amazing Anthony Hopkins.  He has a tough job playing the conflicted, unraveling father but he does so amazingly, balancing this tough performance with the ease we have come to expect form him.  Olivia Colman has a no less difficult job, as Anthony's daughter who is trying her best to help her father who does not want it.  The film introduces Anthony's slowly deteriorating grip on reality slowly, letting you start to wonder where the lines of the real world are drawn.  And again, this is all helped along by some very good dialogue, plenty of drama over this emotional turmoil, and a deep dive into the main characters.

The Father feels like a play, for all the good and bad that can do.  The father has a limited setting (mostly taking place in one location), really good dialogue, drama, and recurring characters throughout the story.  This leads to some great conversations and conflicts, but it also can feel like not a lot happens.  The limited setting and slow progression make it so that parts of the film just languish as we learn more about Anthony and his mental state.  And although the film overall is a tough, emotional story with very dramatic acting, overall The Father feels stationary.  And maybe that is part of the point of the film, something to showcase Anthony's stubbornness with life and with staying where he is, a noble goal but one that led to a story that just felt idle.  Watch this film if you're in the mood for a slower paced, dialogue and drama filled film.  But if you're not, this might not be the Anthony Hopkins acting showcase for you.

The Father's deep characters, great dialogue, and drama highlight a tough, emotional story about family and responsibilities.  

Rent it.

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The Father is available in theaters on March 12, 2021 and on Premium Video on Dmeand on March 26, 2021.  For showtimes, click here.

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