When Did You Last See Your Father? (2008)
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Director: Anand Tucker Cast: Colin Firth, Jim Broadbent, Juliet Stevenson Country: UK 2007 Year: 2008 Score: *** MPAA Rating: |
Busy with work, preoccupied with immediate family but mostly staying apart from his father by choice, Blake Morrison (Colin Firth) is forced to look back at the past to ponder the question: WHEN DID YOU LAST SEE YOUR FATHER? Anand Tucker’s film (HILARY AND JACKIE) is a surprisingly non-sappy sentimentally constrained film, based on the book by Blake Morrison despite its theme and lengthy sickness scenes.
Oscar winner Jim Broadbent delivers an award winning performance as the father who can out talk himself out of any situation. His best line is “I love you and your mother most’, when confronted with his infidelity. Director Anand brings his family drama out into the open with bright stunning scenes of the English countryside and sea (West Sussex). The best are the father and son bonding driving lesson and disastrous camping trip. The script neglects to fill in Blake’s sister’s side of the story and to further complete Blake’s little affair with the Scottish maid. Still, WHEN DID YOU LAST SEE YOUR FATHER? is a moving tale of miscommunication and fatherly love.
Review by: Gilbert Seah

