Getting older is a gift and a curse, many people would say. But when you see it through the eyes of a film like The Father, it has an impact that you are almost not ready for.
When you are middle-aged, there is a period of time where you may be raising your children, tending to your marriage, and taking care of your aging parents all at the same time. Particularly now that we are lucky enough to have as many life-saving measures and medicines as we do, we are living much longer and having to come up with solutions to age-related healthcare decisions that we didn’t expect to face.
The Father is a film about this scenario. Starring powerhouses Anthony Hopkins and Oliva Coleman, this is a film about an aging father trying to manage his circumstances and his middle-aged daughter, who is trying to both care for his needs and balance a life for herself.
This is one of those films that I don’t want to expand on, as it’s an experience waiting for you to dive into. It is beautifully shot, amazingly edited, and superbly acted by a very small cast. Plus, the movie takes place primarily in a single apartment.
With a best actor Oscar win for Hopkins and a nomination for Coleman – among many, many other awards and nominations – you will quickly learn why.
When I began this movie, I wasn’t sure what it was going to be. I watched the first few minutes as I would any other and then, slowly, I began to pause in surprise. Over the course of this film, you see the depth of the storytelling, the tenderness and fear in the music and characters, and you will be mesmerized, horrified, and emotional all at the same time. This movie is quite the experience.
As this film came to a close for me, my son walked into the room to talk. I knew that he was saying words, but I was so connected to the movie and in my own head and emotions that it took me a minute to really be able to listen. And even then, I had to apologize because this amazing film kept creeping back into my brain.
The Father is powerful, intense, thoughtful, and an experience that I won’t take away from you by going into more detail. It is one of the best films of 2020 by far and will rank up there in my list of top films for many years to come. Give yourself a gift and watch it. Then come back and tell me what you thought.
Runtime: 97 minutes
Motion Picture Rating: PG-13
Languages Spoken In The Film: English
Should You Watch It? Yes, it’s extremely powerful
Did I Cry? Yes, several times
My Rating: 5/5 Stars
Available: To rent on Prime Video or may be available for free on other streaming platforms
When you are middle-aged, there is a period of time where you may be raising your children, tending to your marriage, and taking care of your aging parents all at the same time. Particularly now that we are lucky enough to have as many life-saving measures and medicines as we do, we are living much longer and having to come up with solutions to age-related healthcare decisions that we didn’t expect to face.
