The Father
Director: Florian Zeller
Actors: Anthony Hopkins, Olivia Colman, Mark Gatiss
PlotAn elderly man named Anthony battles with the progressive symptoms of dementia, causing him to struggle with the fabric of his reality and memory. Living alone in his London flat, he rejects each caregiver that his daughter, Anne, introduces to help cope with his declining independence. Anthony's grip on what is real versus what is a product of his illness becomes increasingly blurred, leading to moments of anger, confusion, and despair as time, place, and even the identities of people around him seem to shift unpredictably.
Anne copes with the difficulties of potentially moving to Paris for love, while managing the complexities of her father's condition. The familial bond they share is tested as Anthony's perception of his surroundings and his history is compromised by the inexorable advance of his condition. The narrative disorients the audience by mirroring Anthony's disintegrating perspective, creating a poignant and intimate portrayal of the impact of dementia on both the individual suffering from it and their loved ones trying to hold onto the person they remember.
Writers: Christopher Hampton, Florian Zeller
Release Date: 26 Feb 2021
Runtime: 97 min
Rating: PG-13
Country: United Kingdom, France, United States
Language: English
Home Video Reviews
The Father: a blunt, yet beautifully crafted film on dementia, with top-notch Blu-ray quality but sparse extras. Highly recommended.
Read our review of The Father Blu-ray to find out more