Film: When Did You Last see Your Father.

FILM REVIEW by Andy Stanton

"WHEN DID YOU LAST SEE YOUR FATHER" on current release

This film, released in October 2007, directed by Anand Tucker features Jim Broadbent, Colin Firth, Juliet Stevenson and Matthew Beard. It is an autobiographical account by author Blake Morrison of his frustrated attempts to communicate with his father, while the latter was dying of cancer.

There are powerful performances by everyone in the cast. Colin Firth and Matthew Beard cover different periods of Blake Morrison’s life, whereas Jim Broadbent and Julie Stevenson play the parents over the entire time.

The character of Arthur Morrison comes across has a hopelessly flawed, and very human, individual. He presents his son with an exasperating failure to understand his needs while single-mindedly and quite selfishly meeting his own. The consequent confusion and anger for the growing lad is rolled out before us. All are clearly helpless to avoid the inevitable direction taken by their relationship. The lad is growing away from his father and an unbridgeable divide will separate them for the rest of their days.

The film covers Blake’s return to his parent’s home in order to help his mother care for his dying father in the last few days of his life. He goes in the expectation that at this auspicious time there may be a final understanding between them before he goes. The historical issues between father and son are handled by way of flash back during the time he is there.

The film is a classic tragedy in this respect. Just as the developing rift between father and son has an inevitability that both appear helpless to avoid, then the attempted reconciliation is also blighted for the same reason. It’s all too late, Arthur is preoccupied by his own illness, and the few moments of lucidity are filled by trivial concerns. The film is a study in miscommunication and regret. It cuts very deep, and it toys with the raw nerve endings you would honestly not to be interfered with.

In short, if you’re a bloke, and you want a good honest weepy, this one was made especially for you.