Trailer:
Most people haven’t even heard of this Oscar-Nominated film, "The Father," and it’s not a surprise. The film was just released on VOD a handful of weeks ago and only a month before the long-awaited Oscar Ceremony taking place on April 25th. While the film was released in select theaters earlier this year, not many people ventured out of their homes to experience it on the big screen.
The 2020 Film actually premiered at the Sundance Film Festival back in January 2020 and like other movies released last year, was delayed due to the pandemic. However, just because the film was released later, does not mean that it shouldn’t be experience before the Oscar Ceremony, even though it might not win. It is a heart-breaking story of loss and very difficult to watch without tearing up, especially if you know someone who was suffered from Alzheimer’s or Dementia.
Despite being nominated in the major categories, I would find it very surprising that it takes home some of the major awards and it’s not because it doesn’t deserve it, it’s because it’s featured in very crowded categories. Award Season spans from the Golden Globes, through the SAG Awards (Screen Actors Guild) and finally ends with the Academy Awards wrapping the season. With many other smaller Award ceremonies littered without, it can be sometimes pretty easy to spot the likely winners before the big night and “The Father” unfortunately has come up short in most of the lists.
The film, adapted from the stage by Florian Zeller, centers around Anthony (Anthony Hopkins) coping with his rapidly deteriorating memory. Suffering from Alzheimer’s, he is forced to leave his flat and move in with his daughter, Anne (Olivia Colman). While the film is smaller in its scope, essentially shot on just two set pieces, it is told entirely through Anthony’s perspective, which is where the storytelling thrives. Unable to remember and suffering from hallucinations and flashbacks, it is often hard to disseminate the time period and location where the story is taking place. But that is exactly the point. We, the audience, get to experience the life through Anthony’s eyes, which is confusing and conflicting and, in the end, frustrating.
Despite the moving piece of art constructed, it is nominated in all the major categories and unfortunately, is featured with all likely winners. While it is nominated in Best Picture, it most likely will lose to “Nomadland” which has won big at the Golden Globes and Critic’s Choice. The film features an outstanding performance from Anthony Hopkins in the lead role, but he is nominated in Best Actor alongside Chadwick Boseman, nominated posthumously for “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” and has cleaned up most of the season.
The only two categories where it has a chance would be in Best Supporting Actress, where Olivia Colman is once again up against Glenn Close, or Best Adapted Screenplay. When watching the film, just over an hour and thirty run-time, it is evident that the story line could be easily represented on stage. The adaptation to film was seamless and the apartment or flat where the film is shot, even acts as a character in some cases, causing confusion and distress for Anthony who often forgets where he is and what decade he is living in.
The film is quiet and emotional but features powerhouse performances from both Colman and Hopkins who dominate the screen in their scenes. Worth the watch, but be prepared to weep.
And that’s the sitch.
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