Florian Zeller, in his directorial debut, co-wrote the screenplay with playwright Christopher Hampton on the basis of Zeller’s 2012 play, “Le Père.”
Grade: B+
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UK theatrical release poster
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A French–British co-production, the film stars Anthony Hopkins as an octogenarian Welsh man living with dementia.
Olivia Colman, Mark Gatiss, Imogen Poots, Rufus Sewell, and Olivia Williams also star.
The Father premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 27, 2020. Its wide release was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic un til summer of 2021.
The film grossed $36 million worldwide on a $6 million budget and was acclaimed by critics, who lauded the performances of Hopkins and Colman, as well as the production values and the portrayal of dementia.
Narrative Premise:
Anne (Colman) visits her father Anthony (Hopkins) after he has driven away several caregivers. His dementia causes him to forget important events and where things are around his flat, including his watch. He now believes that his caregiver stole his watch.
Anne is moving to Paris to be with a man, which confuses her father, who does not recall any men in her life since the end of her marriage. Anne says that if he keeps refusing to have a caregiver, she will have to put him in a nursing home.
My Oscar Book:
Oscar Context:
The Father received six nominations, including Best Picture.
Hopkins won Best Actor and Zeller and Hampton won Best Adapted Screenplay.
Credits:
Directed by Florian Zeller
Screenplay by Florian Zeller, Christopher Hampton
Based on Le Père by Florian Zeller
Produced by David Parfitt, Jean-Louis Livi, Philippe Carcassonne, Christophe Spadone, Simon Friend
Cast
Anthony Hopkins
Olivia Colman
Mark Gatiss
Imogen Poots
Rufus Sewell
Olivia Williams
Cinematography Ben Smithard
Edited by Yorgos Lamprinos
Music by Ludovico Einaudi
Release dates: Jan 20, 2020 (Sundance); May 26, 2021 (France) June 11, 2021 (UK)
Running time; 97 minutes
Countries: France–UK
Budget $6 million
Box office $36 million
