When I read the description and some other reviews, I had some reservations –– is it maudlin? slow? trite? –– because, even though the writers were saying nice things, I sensed some reservations and, rightly, was suspicious. I am happy to report, for those who might consider this opinion worthy, that these suspicions are unwarranted.
The strengths of And When Did You Last See Your Father? rest with the acting, the characters, and the narrative structure... and the central question of seeing, really seeing, is consistently addressed. Thus, we have a film in which the three major constructors–– original author, director, and actors –– all do their jobs admirably... how refreshing.
Blake Morrison wrote the autobiographical account and is, therefore, responsible for the creation of believable characters, especially the father, played by Jim Broadbent, and the son, played by Colin Firth [and by Bradley Johnson as a young boy, and Matthew Beard as a teen... significant contributions in their own right]. The dad, Arthur, comes across as, variably, both sympathetic and unsympathetic... I am quite sure that I would like to meet him at a party, on one hand, but I am also equally convinced that I would not like to be related to him. The son, Blake, toys with our sympathies, too... he seems like he needs a boot in the butt sometimes, but at other times I found myself physically cringing on his behalf.
The acting in this film is superb. Colin Firth has developed his acting chops nicely, and now is atractive in more substantial ways that merely having once been Mr. Darcy [yes, I can hear you: "but he was THAT Mr. Darcy" (swoon)]. Jim Broadbent is inspired in his depiction of Arthur... I know that the word "inspired" usually denotes a certain scene-stealing quality, but I assure you that his inspiration is in quietly depicting this very-human man [as opposed to what is often on offer in the moving pictures] and leaving the audience to make critical determinations. A nod, too, to Juliet Stevenson for her role as Kim Morrison, mother and wife to the two central characters... and long-suffering she appears to be.
I must also give praise for the casting of this film: each of the characters that is supposed to be related [or might be... watch it and find out] looks like they are related. If you told me that Colin Firth is Jim Broadbent's boy, I would believe you ... other than the fact that there is only 11 years between their dates-of-birth. This is even more alarming for Juliet Stevenson... she is only 4 years older that Colin Firth! She does appear relatively youthful, but it is testament to the professionalism of the cast that these seeming discrepancies are skillfully overcome.
The director, Anand Tucker, structured his film in such a way that character is revealed carefully. The film jumps back and forth between earlier, formative moments and the present time of Arthur's decline. In doing so, our sympathies shift, and what could have been a trite condemnation of a boorish father, or an annoying whine of a privileged, but picked-on, child becomes a significant exploration of a complex relationship. by the time that the end of the film comes, the audience is quite ready for the central question posited by the title to be illuminated, and answered.
Watch this film... then phone someone you miss.
No comments:
Post a Comment