Be careful. This has been mislabeled as a drama. It's actually a psychological horror film. This film is brutal.
If this doesn’t win at least best picture or best actor I’m never watching the Oscars again
In today's environment of bottomless new content competing for my attention, I really struggle to find reasons to re-watch anything. The siren call of the new and unknown, brimming with potential greatness, will inevitably win out over the familiar. However, the one exception to this rule is when I have opportunities to watch things with others. After all, what is the purpose of trekking out into the unknown if I don't share what I discover. With that said, this was a re-watch for me, as my mother was visiting and was looking to watch a movie. This film had really resonated with me and I thought she would connect with its story as well.
I wasn't writing reviews at the time of my first watch, so I figured I'd circle back with a brief write-up. If you're unaware, this film is based on a stage play, so you should be prepared for a very small, dialogue driven story. That said, the clever central conceit (our perspective mirroring the unreliable perception of Hopkins' character as his mind deteriorates with age) provides a backbone of drama and mystery as the story unfolds. It's the perfect blend of high and low concept (a simple narrative twist applied to a dialogue driven character study). Ultimately, the main thing to talk about here is the powerhouse performance of Anthony Hopkins. There's a reason he won an Oscar for this role. His character's arc through the movie feels authentic, with the entire spectrum of human emotions on display. Historically I'm not one to get emotional during movies, but that may be changing, as Hopkins' performance in some of the final scenes of this film definitely had my eyes watering up.
The simplicity of this movie makes the complexities of the mind in Alzheimer’s all the more heartbreakingly clear. Both Anthony Hopkins and Olivia Colman play their roles with such care. At once emotions of love, confusion, hurt and pain fleet across their characters’ faces in juxtaposition to each other as they navigate this cruel disease. Words meant simultaneously to defend and cut are thrown about as carelessly as you’d expect which makes them all the more poignant. If you’ve ever watched someone go through Alzheimer’s this movie will be an emotional roller coaster of a time you want to forget. If you haven’t it will seem horrifically unbelievable. It isn’t. This is what it is. Exceptional movie.
Anthony Hopkins is a great actor. He is one of the best and his performance is amazing with lovely music. This is one pure drama.
"Why do you keep looking as if there's something wrong? Everything's fine."
I’ve haven’t cried this hard at a movie since 'I'm Thinking of Ending Things'. This is one of those films that just thinking about it or thinking about a specific scene will get my eyes teary. I’m honestly blown away by how moved I was by it. One of the best movies of 2020.
Anthony Hopkins gives one of the best performance since ‘Silence of the Lambs’. You may think that you've seen everything the veteran actor has to offer, but he continues to surprise and amaze us. He broke my heart a thousand times, especially the last five minutes which was some of the most powerful pieces of acting on screen. On the other hand, he’s also incredibly charming and funny as his character that it made him so mesmerizing to watch. I usually don’t care when it comes to awards, but I genuinely hope he gets some recognition at the Oscars with at least a nomination or maybe a win, because he is truly brilliant in this movie.
Olivia Colman, who plays Anthony's daughter, Anne, was also fantastic in the movie. Her facial expressions solid every emotion that the character was feeling and Colman is an expert at it. The pain, frustration, and the overwhelming love she has for her father, as she tries to find ways of helping him. I can’t imagine a more dreadful sight than watching your loved one decay away before your eyes and there’s nothing you can do about it.
While there have been other movies in the past that tackled the topic of dementia and old age on a surface level, where it mainly focuses on how friends and family coop with a significant others condition. However, this movie makes those films look flat in comparison. What makes this movie so different and yet more effective is that it’s told from the perspective of the sufferer. So, his confusion becomes ours. Simple things like switching Olivia Colman with a different actor can have a huge and scary impact, because when this first happened I was stunned, but I quickly realise this is the devastating reality of the disease where people you once knew start to look alienating to you.
Director Florian Zeller dose an excellent job of placing you in the shoes of someone going through dementia and have a better understanding of how the disease can affect you. Any other film marker would’ve done the predictable approach, which is to go over the top with the possibilities of presenting a surreal nightmare with flashy visuals, as a way to show off crazy camera work and digital effects, but Zeller instead keeps things grounded enough while in the imaginary world inside the characters head. It’s true what they say, less is more.
The movie is purposely structured and edited in a disorganised lucid dream-like manner, where certain elements such as the mention of names and the appearance of faces are a mystery to us just like the main character. Who are these people? Why is everything so mysterious? When you try to piece things together with the collection of scattered memories of events, it then gets shuffled around. Although, the movie isn’t as complicated as it may sound, it's just not straight forward narrative wise.
It was like watching a horror movie at times with the horrific effects of dementia. Your brain, metaphorically, is like a tree branch filled with leaves, but eventually with the slow effect of the disease, you will lose your leaves.
Overall rating: A magnificent movie that helps us understand the struggle and experience of dementia that was executed with extra care. It also goes beyond that in many different ways that I have yet to unlock in my first viewing. It’s a movie that I will never forget.
The Father is gut-wrenchingly heartbreaking, and Anthony Hopkins pulls out all the stops once again. I've said it so many times that I'm practically the boy who cried wolf, but Hopkins is at his best in this role. It should also be noted that the use of editing and set design in this film was insanely smart when it came to keeping the audience just as confused as Anthony. HIGHLY recommend. This is the highest-rated film of the year for me. Deserves its Best Picture nomination.
Nicely done, the time flies with so little story, the only thing bad about this film it's that i'm feeling depressed now.
I want to die young
Best horror film of 2021. Heartbreaking , tender and terrifying. A tour de force by Hopkins that demands your attention. Expertly crafted. You really feel like you're in his shoes losing your mind alongside him. A masterpiece. 8.8
Wow... I was not ready for that last scene. What a performance. What an actor.
Remember when people kept describing “Eighth Grade” as the scariest movie of the year? That movie doesn’t have shit on The Father. Equal parts heartbreaking and horrifying with amazing performances all around.
Horribily realistic. From vocal mannerisms to body language, Hopkins' performance breaches reality all too convincingly.
An extremely uncomfortable watch for those who can unfortunately relate.
All I have to say this movie is brilliant! Experiencing dementia or Alzheimer's through the eye of the patient. My grandmother had Alzheimer's and now I truly understand and feel the pain and horror she was suffering.
Amazing work, 100% recommend it. top 10 on my list
Incredible performances from Anthony Hopkins and Olivia Colman!
'The Father' makes for a rather heart-breaking watch, it's very clear from the get-go where the film is heading but that doesn't stop it hitting directly in the feels. I've fortunately never been around someone with what this film depicts, yet it still came across as very realistic - based on what I have heard about the condition.
Hopkins is utterly superb in the lead role, which is what I expected given I had heard about this 2020 flick back when it won the big gongs. Something I hadn't heard about, though, was Colman's performance - which is absolutely fantastic, particularly in one emotional scene alongside Hopkins and Imogen Poots.
A very saddening but brilliant film, cleverly portrayed too.
They really didn't exaggerate: Poignant film, tough stuff, strong in many ways. But nothing you should watch in a weak moment.
Heartbreaking. Hopkins gives a career best performance in this gem of a film
The Father
A very touching film that you are experiencing a similar situation to the one in the movie, which is having a relative suffering from Alzheimer's.
Fortunately, I don't have a relative who has this disease, so I can't fully understand what the film conveys to the viewer. However, I do recognize that it is a good movie, with an Anthony Hopkins who despite his age, proves to be a talented actor.
Nice how Zeller wanted to edit the scenes in a confusing way, never understanding what happened before and what happened after, making it understand as best as possible what is perceived by those suffering from Alzheimer's disease.
6.5/10
Well acted but depressing, didn’t enjoy
I think the movie really knew how to lay the message in way you could almost feel the frustration Anthony was feeling. Really spot-on movie.
Not without humour but expectedly distressing.
What a fantastic movie, that will stay with you for days, weeks months afterwards, yes the performances by the cast are fantastic, Hopkins giving a performance to even rival Hannibal Lector, however for me the direction, editing and stage production all make this movie. If you dont cry at that ending you have a heart of stone! Will be my film of the year"!
Incredibly sad. I watched this followed by korean film "Address Unknown" and now I am not sure I have the will and energy to get up in the morning. Anthony Hopkins is amazing. Watch it but then spend some time in some happy place.
The Father is a harrowing, depressing, terrifying, heart-breaking movie that I'll probably never have the pleasure of watching again for my own wellbeing. Hopkins and Colman are fantastic, and the lucid storytelling is as respectful as it is impactful to the overall message being sent. Gut-wrenching with many fine details I wish I could go back and muse upon. Fantastic stuff if you can stomach the bleak subject matter.
What a play, what a movie, I teared up at the end :(
This may be one of the saddest movie I’ve watched. Not an easy subject but an easy watch thanks to good writing, performance, direction,... did I mention writing and performance? Yes, twice!
Straight into the top 50 of all time, easily hopkins best ever performance, hilarious, tragic, tense. A masterpiece
Wow... So speechless after watching this movie. This is just such a powerful way to express how people with memory loss are feeling every day, we as the watchers of the movie are now put into this role. I really do recommend this movie to everyone! 10/10
Haunting and effective. Somehow watching the same conversation over and over for 2 hours had me captivated.
Such a great movie full of emotions and Anthony's perfomance was more than brilliant. 8.0/10
Interesting movie, but runs out of steam after about 20 minutes and then just keeps going with the same thing over and over again.
This film is tough & painful to watch, but impactful. The story is about an old man, Anthony, going through age-related dementia. We can see the fairly rapid progression from his perspective. Confusion, disorientation, mood swings, memories, and time blend from day to day, moment to moment. He loses his sense of reality and struggles to stay in the moment. We become part of his hallucinations, seeing it as how he would glimpse things. It’s very unsettling and heartbreaking to see in action. For the first time since I have been reviewing movies, I don’t have much to say. I usually have to restrain myself from writing too long reviews, often removing sentences/thoughts altogether to keep them short. I can’t stop talking about films if I like them. However, this time, I am struggling for words; I don’t think words can do this film justice.
So, I will shift focus to the technicals. Anthony Hopkins is a legend, who won an Oscar for Best Actor here (at age 83, the oldest ever). I was distraught by his acting. It felt real to me, making me forget I was watching a movie. Olivia Colman, who plays his daughter Anne, also had outstanding acting as she struggles to make sense of the situation. The writing, editing, directing, and cinematography are excellent. The screenplay is original. Typically, films like these focus on people around the patient rather than on the actual patient. Florian Zeller, the director, made this film with only Hopkins in mind. I don’t think anyone else can pull this off at that age, outside of perhaps 4-5 living actors from the film universe. From the ones I know, Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Amitabh Bachchan, Ian McKellen, and Patrick Stewart. None would probably be as good as Hopkins.
Would I recommend this? Yes. However, it’s important to note that it’s depressing to watch. It stays with you long after you finish watching. Aging is challenging to deal with, but we all must go through it, rain or shine.
8.5/10
I really hate to say it, because I wanted to love it, but I found this boring, slow and not particularly memorable. It could have been extremely emotional and hard-hitting, but it simply wasn't. It almost felt a little bit stiff. Of course there were some standout moments (like the end, for example), but nothing that truly hit me on a deeper level... Overall, I just didn't really feel impacted by anything. It's such a shame because I loved the idea behind this movie (seeing dementia from the person's own perspective), but the execution simply ended up lacking for me. I know I'm in the minority though, so don't mind me.
Jesus, this is heartbreaking. Amazing performances and a haunting insight in dementia. My main takeaway? For the love of god, don’t let me get this old. Please!
An incredible movie seen through the eyes and mind of an elderly man suffering dementia. I was watching a touching tragic tale whilst Anthony Hopkins character was watching a horror movie. Brings to life the pain for the person suffering dementia whilst most sympathy in life generally is given to the family around the patient. My mother has early onset dementia and my empathy for what she will be going through over the next few years has amplified thanks to this masterpiece! There are no winners here and I watched without knowing Hopkins won Best Actor and without reservation, it was an award that couldn't have been deserved more than this artistic genius!
Hopkins deserves an award for this exceptionally realistic performance. The script is well informed on the behavioural traits of patients with dementia. At times it was as if I was listening to my grandmother.
Hopkins deserves an award for this exceptionally realistic performance. The script is well informed on the behavioural traits of patients with dementia. At times it was as if I was listening to my grandmother.
Story: 9/10...gut-wrenchingly real and painful and beautiful. And so, so simple. When I reflect on it, we really only see a couple days' of interaction, just looped and repeated and layered to make it feel like more time has passed. This film, through the perspective it's able to achieve, almost turns Alzheimer's Disease into a horror story. Which it is.
Dialogue: 9/10... I've spent a good deal of time with people suffering from dementia and their caretakers. These are the conversations we have. Poetic, at times, and funny.
Performances: 9/10...two leads are phenomenal, both deserving of award nominations. Only one who I thought missed at times was the husband. Or maybe I was just meant to loathe him, in which case, well done.
Misc.: 9/10...gorgeously filmed, and the editing, holy cow, the editing is what gave watching this such a disturbing feeling. Einaudi's score is subtle and beautiful
Overall: 9/10
Well deserved Oscar for this performance
I can't explain how much I'm hurted and even i cried abit
bringed to me past memories and coming one
so really amazing movie but too much sadness
makes you feel like you are in the movie
who am i?
that's really hard question
i hope all good for old people
and i hope to me to not reach this age
and again
thanks for this storyline and soundtrack, everything
thank you
Hopkins is brilliant. The editing is amazing, how they mixed up the scenes as brain confuses the mind in our heads. Was heartbreaking.
This movie is brilliant. How can a film give the audience a sense of what dementia.
“Who is this person?”
“Where am I?”
“Are they coming back? Don’t leave me.”
You feel all of it throughout this film. With a flawless performance by Anthony Hopkins. I can’t say enough good things.
I have always had an extremely hard time coping with old men crying. It cuts me to the core. That final scene, with Antony confused, bewildered. An old man is crying and begging for his mommy. It traumatized me. I don’t even know what else to say.
So this was my second watch of The Father... I think. At least I'm pretty sure.
If memory serves... try something bittersweet.
Decent movie. Was a bit strange at times but good movie
A Masterpiece. The finest film I've seen in years. I keep thinking about sequences from the film and how well they were executed by everyone. Totally Ninja ++++++++
If you've ever had extended interaction with someone that suffers from Alzheimer's you will recognize just about everything that happens in this film. The film is unique in that it puts the viewer into the perspective of the patient and it is hard to find truths (in that sense it reminds me of several David Lynch movies). In a weird kind of way the lack of plot creates an empty canvass for the actors. And boy did they take advantage of it - while Hopkins does some fantastic work here I think it is Colman's understated performance that steals the show.
There was one weird side effect that I noticed while watching the film. It kind of felt like a mystery and that may have taken away from the overall theme of the movie. If you paid attention you could probably predict the final scene. If you're not interested in the mental illness angle then you can certainly watch the movie on this level.
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yes i want my mommy too hopkins.
all joking aside, this is not a drama. it’s a psychological horror
Thank you. For the first time in my life I was able to understand what was going on with my grandmother and what my mother was going through while taking care of her. Hopkins performance is probably the best one I have ever seen in my life.
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
Great performance by Anthony! Decent plot, meant to be an emotional ride! If you didn't know about this movie and started to watch /it, you'd think this is a psychological thriller-mystery movie! :sweat_smile: Solid 7.5/10 for acting, drama, and atmosphere.
The end was good but a bit disappointing IMO. They could've taken the plot in some other direction instead of drama! Missed opportunity perhaps?
You lose your memories, you lose yourself.
Devastating movie.
Watch this in the afternoon. A night watch would be tough.
Hopkins is magnificent as usual.
You may go into this movie thinking you know what it is about. What is surprising is, what another reviewer called, the unreliable narrator. Nominated for six 2021 Oscars, this film is incredible. The adaption from stage to film is powerful (nominated). It is a masterclass in acting, Anthony Hopkins (nominated) and Olivia Coleman (nominated) are perfect in their roles. Definitely one of the best pictures of the year (nominated)! This film will break your heart and it is all the more poignant the older you are. It can be terrifying. This is a movie so good that you may not be able to bear seeing again. I give this film a 10 (intensely perfect) out of 10. [Drama, Psychological Twister, Horror]
excellent performances, such pain, such tragedy, what a ride
By the description given on Letterboxd, I thought I was getting a thriller-packed movie with some intense sequences starting some of the greatest actors of our generation.
Neither was it a thriller nor was it intense, but it was very trippy and in a perfect way. The unreliable narrator's point of view made it so much better. It honestly felt like I was watching inception but on a budget and limited space. It worked out pretty well.
The transition from being a play and then being adapted into a movie worked, and we get to see some outstanding acting in a lovely setting. The cast honesty did an excellent job, and I was left quite emotional since I felt bad for every character involved in the movie.
I would say it is worth a watch since the story is excellent, and it also gives a perspective from a character in their golden years that is struggling to live an everyday life daily.
The plot isn't very unpredictable, but still an excellent movie. It made me cry rivers of tears
Solid performances from all. Nothing groundbreaking.
A few unnecessary shots and POV changes keep me from rating it higher.
This is so real... and portrayed so appropriately... I was moved by the acting, which felt very real: Anne's hopeless smiles, Anthony's hesitations and lost gaze, and Paul's hateful attitude. They are all extraordinary actors.
Another play ... but I did like it. What a good performance from Anthony Hopkins! I know the posthumous Oscar campaign for Chadwick Boseman weighs heavily, and so it is highly likely that he will win it, but Anthony Hopkins certainly deserves it. His portrayal of an old man with dementia is so good and heartbreaking that he holds the film from beginning to end. Olivia Colman also plays a great role as the worried, hurt, and desperate daughter. The script seemed wonderful to me, and accompanied by a great editing they make one as a spectator really feel like the protagonist: confused, upset, doubting what is real and what is not. And there are scenes in which the music plays a role as important as that of the actors. It is a very good movie that I highly recommend and that allows us to see the legendary Anthony Hopkins in one of his best performances.
An absolute masterclass in acting from Hopkins and Colman. It's not a movie you'll 'enjoy', but I'de still fully recommend to watch it. It's heartbreaking to see what people with dementia and their loved ones go through.
The Father is like coming home and learning it's a not your house.
I expected the acting to be above par, but was not prepared for the script to be so intriguing. Dementia has never looked so good or accurate or bad.
The human mind is so fragile that at times life becomes a fantasy. FZ places us in the point of view of this fragility, whose representation in the bewildered gaze of a great Anthony Hopkins, provokes multiple emotions. The proposal is as simple as it is effective and deeply existential. To be but not to be. Enjoy sunny days, because there are so few. A subjective look at the distorted memories of this fragile mind.
Sorry Riz Ahmed, here we have the winner of Best Actor of Oscar 2021.
You got to feel bad for anybody who shares a scene with Sir Anthony, because he just chews the scenery.
Shout by FranBlockedParent2021-04-03T22:54:29Z
Incredibly heartbreaking and so well made. Anthony Hopkins is a legend.