Review by Theo Kallström

The Father 2020

THE BETTER: ‘THE FATHER’

WRITING: 100
ACTING: 100
LOOK: 100
SOUND: 100
FEEL: 95
NOVELTY: 90
ENJOYMENT: 90
RE-WATCHABILITY: 90
INTRIGUE: 85
EXPECTATIONS: 100


THE GOOD:

Anthony Hopkins and Olivia Coleman carry this film from start to finish admirably, with fiery, yet realistic encounters and sharp dialogue. Both actors deserved their nominations and awards because watching them perform, together and apart, is pure joy. Hopkins will make you laugh, freeze in despair and perhaps even cry as he embraces his part with a show-stealing performance.

Mark Gatiss seems like an odd fit for a film like this, since I mostly see him in fantasy and sci-fi, but he turns out to be just as perfect as the others.

It’s amazing how, at 82 years old, Anthony Hopkins still manages to bring out many different sides of his character, capture those small beats and release tremendous amounts of emotion when needed. He is one of those treasured actors who simply cannot fail with a role, and The Father is just another proof of that. Here he is all over the palette, from goofy and lovely; confused and lonely to furious and raging.

Despite dealing with themes that have been dealt with many times before, Florian Zeller’s film beautifully captures the crushing and heart-breaking reality of an ageing mind slowly falling apart. The script immediately captures the viewer’s attention and then keeps it afloat with furious energy coming from the performances.

The script is cleverly written, choosing to keep the audiences just as confused and displaced and Anthony, thus making us feel the huge upheaval that is going on inside his mind. The Father doesn’t just show us what it’s trying to say, it allows us to feel it. This might very well be the best way I’ve ever seen dementia depicted onscreen.

The direction and cinematography are simple, stripped-down and very character-centric, allowing the actors to fully reach out to the viewer when delivering their lines. It’s simple, yet immensely effective.

The story takes us beyond Anthony’s health problems to allow focus on the strain placed on Anne and Paul's marriage, another source of tension and pressure.

For many people, myself included, who have elderly people with similar conditions in their family; this film goes straight to the heart and truly feels heartbreaking.

The final few scenes allow us to understand what has been going on all the time while delivering that final emotional punch and what is possibly the best piece of acting Hopkins has ever done.

The overall experience is intense, scary and harrowing. Thus, The Father is one of the most compelling and emotionally heavy dramas I've seen, feeling more like psychological horror.


THE BAD:

The story barely seems to develop as the film goes on, meaning that there is a slight sense of tardiness over the feature, particularly during the middle act. Anthony’s condition doesn’t noticeably worsen throughout the film, even if it never stops being heartbreakingly difficult to watch.


THE UGLY:

Who knew Anthony Hopkins doing chores absent-mindedly would be such a satisfying viewing experience?


THE VERDICT:

In one of the most heartbreaking and breathtaking depictions of old age and dementia ever put to screen, Florian Zeller allows Sir Anthony Hopkins to fully embrace his Oscar-winning performance and soar straight into our crying hearts.

95% = :white_check_mark::white_check_mark: = BETTER

loading replies
Loading...