Cinema Voyage - Michael Pearson

This blog is PRIMARILY about movies. Some dvd and some that are still in the theater. Also, links are provided on some movies if you decide you want to purchase it. Also, I write and read quite a bit. So, you may, from time to time see a book review here from an up-and-coming author or an interview with one. If you have a book that you have written, please don't hesitate to contact me if you want an unbiased opinion. I would be happy to read and review what you've written. We should value our creative people more.

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Review - And When Did You Last See Your Father?

November 9th 2009 03:24

And When Did You Last See Your Father? is a well constructed emotional film highlighting the relationship between a father and son. Based on poet and author Blake Morrison's real life relationship with his dad, it represents the complexities, I am sure, of many relationships between that of father and son worldwide.

Forever striving for your father's affection and somehow failing to consistently reach it. Trying to prove yourself to a young girl only to have your father embarrass you out of the room. Matthew Beard as teenage Blake experiences this and more. However the relationship with his father Arthur (Jim Broadbent) becomes even more complicated when Blake suspects his father is having an affair with Aunt Beaty (Sarah Lancashire). He desperately wants to understand more about his father but his questions remain unanswered driving Blake and Arthur further apart as they grow older.

Colin Firth as the adult Blake, returns home to visit his dying father and assist his mother (Juliet Stevenson) with the final tasks required to lay his dad to rest. But he cannot let go of his past and he desperately wants to understand the relationship between that of his father, mother and aunt. His desire for the truth is also unknowingly creating a wedge between his relationship with his extremely patient wife Kathy (Gina McKee).

My only major issue is that I would have liked to have seen a little more interaction between mother and son, particularly in the teenage stage, as that would have highlighted why he felt so abhorred against his father. And there is no doubt that at some point in the movie it will have you dwelling on your relationship with your own father requiring you to ask the question, "and when did you last see your father?" By this the author and director requires us to think past the physical aspect of last seeing our father, particularly for example in light of Arthur's declining health, but moreover when he may have been healthy and operating in full capacity.

The past is shown in flashbacks and as such we understand the bitterness behind Blake as the movie develops and we see him interact with his father from young child well into his adult years. Directed by Anand Tucker, I must confess I was keen to see this after enjoying both Shopgirl and Hilary and Jackie as much as I did.

The movie is quite slow in pace and is certainly not something to brighten your day, being sad and reminiscent for the most part. The pace and gentleness set by the actors and director however ultimately worked in highlighting the intricacies of all the relationships involved.

Voyage Review: 3/5

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Posted By: Michelle Sweeney - Category: Drama

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Comments

4 Comments. [ Add A Comment ]

Comment by Matt Shea

November 9th 2009 04:05

20/20 Filmsight

Hey Michelle - nice one. Firth finally seems to be getting the attention he's deserved for so long - he has been very busy in recent years.

I'd completely forgotten about this, but I'm also a massive Broadbent fan so will have to check this out.

Comment by David O'Connell

November 9th 2009 06:37

Screen Fanatic

I wouldn't mind seeing this. I absolutely loved the job Tucker did with Steve Martin's Shopgirl, and apparently his part of the Red Riding trilogy is quite good too.