Another type of film that is tough to watch is the psychological drama such as The Father, where things simply are not what they seem. Part of the fun of such a film is trying to deduce what is real and what is not, why some things happen while others seem utterly wrong, and what it all means. But that can also be trying for an audience, and I must confess that this film was trying for me — until the final heartbreaking scene, when all becomes clear. That scene saves the film, but it is an arduous journey to get there.
Florian Zeller’s drama centers on Anthony (Anthony Hopkins), a lonely old man living in his London flat, taken care of by his daughter Anne (Olivia Colman). Strange people begin to arrive and stay in the flat; even Anne seems different at times to Anthony. He begins to question much of what is going on around him but he remains determined to stay in the flat no matter what.
The script, written by Christopher Hampton and Zeller based on Zeller’s play, is appropriately confusing, melodramatic, comedic and rambling, following Anthony’s rollercoaster ride of emotional stress as he tries to hang on to his thin grasp of reality. Other films have successfully found ways of presenting schizophrenia or delusion to audiences; this one deals with dementia in powerful, frightening ways, culminating in a final scene that speaks volumes to the mental hell that dementia can subject a person to, as well as that person’s loved ones. It is a remarkable piece of filmmaking. At different points I had different theories about what was actually going on, and I was wrong every time.
Anthony Hopkins is great, but then again, he is almost always great. He has always been one of our finest film actors, and this performance ranks among his best — especially as the story concludes. This is a movie that has a great deal to say about aging, especially dealing with someone who just isn’t all there anymore, and it offers no easy answers. That final scene is absolutely pulverizing; I will never forget it. But I also have to say that I will probably never see this drama again, as good as it is. ☆ ☆ ☆. 25 April 2021.