About The Father

Post 1563:

Maybe it’s my imagination, but it seems like they used to make a lot more movies for grownups. Could be for a lot of reasons. Kids need their entertainments. When I was a kid we were told to go play in the street—when we weren’t sweeping chimneys. Could be that everything has to make a billion dollars now or be “relevant” to some super important conversation. When I was a kid we didn’t know what “relevant” meant.

Anyway, I found a movie for grownups. It came out a few years ago without me noticing. It’s called The Father, the story of an old guy who complains about things and changes outfits a few times and has a meal or two.

Sounds fun, right? No, it’s not fun, but it is great work. We see Anthony, played incredibly by Anthony Hopkins, gradually losing his sense of time and space until he ultimately loses his sense of self. This is not an enjoyable experience. As his awareness and mental acuity dissipates, he lashes out at the people he loves, not because he doesn’t love them, but because he doesn’t understand.

This is a fictional depiction of what it means to lose oneself to cognitive decline. It’s almost like a dream, or more aptly, a nightmare. Locations blend and faces change and time is distorted until keeping up is basically impossible.

The Father is wonderfully acted and shot brilliantly. It takes place mostly in one location, but the location is as shifty as Anthony’s state of mind.

At first, I thought the movie was trying to fool me. Things weren’t adding up. They were confusing. Part of me expected a twist. I was getting a little frustrated.

When I gave in to the fact that this was the story of a confused man with dementia or Alzheimer’s, it all ironically “made sense” because nothing makes sense. It’s one of the most heartbreaking and moving depictions I’ve ever seen. The villain is time and disease. Real villains that we all have to face. The Father isn’t valuable because it provides you with a couple hours escape. The value is that it’s a reminder. Having the faculties to appreciate and form a meaningful relationship with the world around us is a fleeting gift that should never be taken for granted. A great film. Lots of subtle filmmaking choices. I’d watch it again but this isn’t one I can just pop on. I only have so many emotional units left in the old tank.

Cheers and see you after.