Movie #2131 "The Father" (movie theatre) Subtitle for this film should be: Depressing as hell! I had a grandmother and a mother that died from alzheimer's so I am not the demographic for this film --- but who is? Well, only people who need to see it are those that think Alzheimer's is a walk in the park or those who think that parents suffering from alzheimer's or dementia should move in with their adult kids when they can no longer deal with life on their own --- the ones who think their folks would hate to be in any kind of nursing home and are trying to do what they think their folks would want --- this film shows how very very very difficult it is to caretake for a loved one --- one who can demean you or fight with you most of the time you share with him (instead of spending time with your loved ones you have left at home), who repeats the same stories over and over again, is in such a fog that you yourself can't make heads or tales of reality, who only experiences maybe a few minutes a day of lucidity, who tells you that you aren't his favorite, and the next breath he can't remember who you are ---- Because this movie is nominated for 6 oscars, I trucked on over to the movie theatre to sit alone in the theatre and watch this dismal portrait of what IS reality for so many of us. I knew it was going to be sad, but what I was surprised about is the way it was filmed. It not only showed how in a fog the father is, which in turn makes his daughter in a fog about how to care for him, but it leaves the audience in a fog, as well; that is, when he addresses someone by a name, in the next scene, that person he addresses with the name is played by a different actress or actor.... so we don't really know who is who through most of the film (until the end when we can better understand a bit better )--- this is difficult to explain, but once you see it, if you do, you will understand. If you don't, don't worry about it --- just know there is some clarity by the end, but it is very little. So maybe let me explain it this way --- usually the scene is set in a film very early on as to what the facts are and who is who --- but the director of this film never does that , so it's a guessing game, much like what the father goes through on a daily basis --- Bottom line? this is not only a difficult film to watch emotionally, but it is mentally challenging, as well. I wouldn't recommend it, unless you want to see the fog played out --- you certainly get a sense of what a person with alzheimers/dementia goes through. I give it 3.8. It's Chadwick Boseman's year for best actor, I think, but second best could be Anthony Hopkins. This may be the best he's done in a very long career. But then, he won an AA for "Silence of the Lambs" --- so I'm sticking to my guess of Boseman.
"THE FATHER" 2020 1 hr and 37 mins PG-13
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