The Father - A Movie Review

We are like trees. We’ll have fewer leaves, but we’ll always remain green.

The Father was released in 2020. A man is falling into the depths of dementia. Refusing assistance from his daughter, Anthony eventually has a difficult time perceiving fantasy from reality. His deteriorating condition begins to take a toll on those he loves.

The Father is an astounding, gut-wrenching, and deep film. Watching this film made me feel an assortment of emotions. In this well-directed feature, audiences are given an in-depth perspective of a man’s disorienting world with dementia.

Anthony Hopkins gives the performance of a lifetime. Taken into the world of this man’s ailing mind, Anthony grapples to understand the slightest detail. Not the easiest person to get along with, he is gentle, humble, and can be a charmer.

Inwardly knowing about his crumbling mind, Anthony grasps anything he can to demonstrate that he is still there. Hopkins delivered a moving performance rightfully earning him an Academy Award for best actor for selling a difficult performance.

Bearing emotion with incredible countenance, Olivia Coleman was remarkable. Devoted to helping her ailing father, it is not easy. Coleman did an excellent job in bearing how her father’s decline in memory has taken a toll on her.

At times, Anne is not fully appreciated. I wanted to give her a big hug so many times. Anna is caught in the midst of difficult decisions, both wanting to live in her happy marriage and making sure that her father is cared for.

Hopkins and Coleman did a tremendous job working out their tough relationship, even adding touching moments. It’s difficult, but it showcases the love of a father and daughter.

I was happy to see Imogen Poots after seeing her in She’s Funny That Way. Because of Anthony’s condition, different actors portrayed characters in vital segments. It’s up to us to decide who is real, and which characters do not exist. Once you come to terms with what is really going on, the switches become a remarkable change to the story.

Because of Anthony’s condition, I had mixed feelings for Paul (Rufus Sewell), Anna’s husband. Although he is only trying to do what is right, his actions become questionable when Anthony interacts with him. His behavior is up for debate among viewers. Sewell and Coleman were excellent, particularly with their subtle expressions to one another.

Pay close attention to every character, detail, and setting. Gigantic applause goes out to Florian Zeller for his impeccable direction. He deserves more recognition for his monumental attention to such a story. Everything from the camera angles, subtle moments, and changes in perspective were handled to the highest degree.

Switching between the perspectives of Anthony and Anne worked great. He examined their relationship to the core. Zeller excelled in the atmosphere of the film.

Zeller makes audiences feel Anthony’s confusion. That direction was integral. Sometimes he repeated the same sequence, only from a different perspective to show what is really happening. His use of symbolism was also done extremely well. Time is important to Anthony. And the quote about leaves really struck me.

The camera angles impressed me. Several times, Zeller cuts to empty faraway shots of the apartment. It magnified how Anthony’s deteriorating mind has taken its toll in this flat.

The Father is not a film for everybody. It is relatable to anybody who knows someone with Dementia/Alzheimer’s. At times it was difficult to watch seeing what Anthony was going through. I would not recommend the film because it is deeply saddening. However, it is worth watching for its exhilarating performances and direction.