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Product Description
Film based on Blake Morrison's candid memoir of his father in the weeks leading up to his death. Arthur Morrison (Jim Broadbent) is diagnosed with terminal cancer and told he only has a few weeks left to live. His son Blake (Colin Firth) is visiting his mother (Juliet Stevenson) in Yorkshire in the village where he grew up. Blake visits his father in the hospital and begins to contemplate the intimacies and irritations of the relationship they have had over the years. His father has been a raffish, insensitive but loving man resented by his son, especially during the son's teenage years (the teenage Blake is portrayed by Matthew Beard). Blake wants to make peace with his father who has never realized how his behaviour gave rise to those resentments. After his father's death, Blake questions the nature of the bond between them, articulately expressing the contradictions, frustrations, love and loss bound into the complicated relationships which most of us have with our parents as we grow up.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
109 of 110 people found the following review helpful
By Greedo
Format:DVD
Although I haven't read the book that this film was based on, I went to see it at the cinema, and I don't remember crying as much at any film for quite a while. I guess the subject matter is likely to be emotive to most people, as we all have parents and will have to confront their mortality at some point in our lives, along with the complicated relationships that we have had with them. Nevertheless, the film is well realised, with strong central performances from it's two central characters (the wonderful Jim Broadbent and the under-rated Colin Firth).
Thematically this film is reminiscent of Tim Burton's wonderful "Big Fish" in many ways. The key difference (apart from the lack of all the fantasy scenes) is it's sheer Englishness, and although all that repressed emotion might leave some people a bit cold, as an English male myself, it moved me greatly. Let me put it this way: being the way I am, I already know that I will never be able to tell my father to his face that I love him (or discuss with him many things from the past that feel unresolved), and yet I also know that one day he will pass away and that I'll wish that I had! If you find that crazy, you probably aren't a repressed Englishman like me...if you can relate to what I've just said, however, then this film will speak volumes to you, and when Firth's character finally breaks down, you will probably find yourself doing the same and having a good old cathartic cry!
Having said all that, I expect that there is much in this film for everyone, as it is a sensitive subject handled well, and perhaps the best English film that I've seen this year. Recommended.
Thematically this film is reminiscent of Tim Burton's wonderful "Big Fish" in many ways. The key difference (apart from the lack of all the fantasy scenes) is it's sheer Englishness, and although all that repressed emotion might leave some people a bit cold, as an English male myself, it moved me greatly. Let me put it this way: being the way I am, I already know that I will never be able to tell my father to his face that I love him (or discuss with him many things from the past that feel unresolved), and yet I also know that one day he will pass away and that I'll wish that I had! If you find that crazy, you probably aren't a repressed Englishman like me...if you can relate to what I've just said, however, then this film will speak volumes to you, and when Firth's character finally breaks down, you will probably find yourself doing the same and having a good old cathartic cry!
Having said all that, I expect that there is much in this film for everyone, as it is a sensitive subject handled well, and perhaps the best English film that I've seen this year. Recommended.
37 of 38 people found the following review helpful
By R. Hewitt
Format:DVD
I so agree with the previous reviewer and tears well up again as I am writing this. I found the film deeply moving, it is multi layered and beautifully told. The rapid scene changes irritated me somewhat but at the end it all made sense. I am sure many of us watch our parents and cannot understand what is going on due to our innocence and not yet attained maturity. It showed so beautifully the confusion of adolesence.
I ask you: when did you last see your father, have you ever seen him.
I ask you: when did you last see your father, have you ever seen him.
34 of 35 people found the following review helpful
By Paul W
TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I saw this at the cinema and it was all I could do not to break down in tears. Quiet sobbing is the English way!
As someone who lost a parent to cancer not that long ago I was particularly moved by the film - a very realistic portrait of death and grieving. Unlike many American films this felt very, very realistic and not sugar coated sentimentality.
Some people will hate it's Englishness and others will perhaps find it too dark. Personally I thought it was a wonderful film but a couple of boxes of Kleenex will be necessary!
As someone who lost a parent to cancer not that long ago I was particularly moved by the film - a very realistic portrait of death and grieving. Unlike many American films this felt very, very realistic and not sugar coated sentimentality.
Some people will hate it's Englishness and others will perhaps find it too dark. Personally I thought it was a wonderful film but a couple of boxes of Kleenex will be necessary!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
And When Did You Last SeeYour Father
I seem to enjoy all the films I have seen starring Colin Firth and this film was no exception. I thought the actor who played a young Colin Firth was excellent. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Pauline Westbury
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good film...
Had to replace the dvd a friend lent me when it went missing in the post.
I quite enjoyed it, one of those British films which is more like good television drama.
I quite enjoyed it, one of those British films which is more like good television drama.
Published 3 months ago by Rachel Helen Griffin
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant Film - the disfunctional relationship between a Father and...
Jim Broadbent gives a wonderful performance as an imperfect Father. The relationship between the son and father is strained at the best of times. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Audrey Uren
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent film
Very pleased with everything about this purchase, delivery, price and quality.I watched this film on TV some time ago and the portrayal of the relationship between father and son... Read more
Published 15 months ago by Whbleasdale
5.0 out of 5 stars
conglywal
Being a cinema projectionist i showed this film 3 times.I also went and bought the dvd when it came out.
I absolutely loved it. Read more
I absolutely loved it. Read more
Published on 27 Nov 2010 by conglywal
4.0 out of 5 stars
Fathers and Sons
A movie with Colin Firth in a not so easy role. I loved it, the whole if it. Be it the mother's part, the father's, the son's. Read more
Published on 21 May 2010 by I can do it
1.0 out of 5 stars
Faulty DVD
this DVD did not play on my machine.
I sent you am email telling you that but you haven't responded. Read more
I sent you am email telling you that but you haven't responded. Read more
Published on 9 Mar 2010 by S. McKnight
4.0 out of 5 stars
And When did you last see Your Father?
Not Colin Firth's best film but great performance from Jim Broadbent as the irritating doctor father who's dying. Read more
Published on 1 Feb 2010 by N. G. Hull
3.0 out of 5 stars
and when did you last see your father
Not what I expected, mainly bought due to Colin Firth and Jim broadbent ok mainly Colin firth acting great, but prefer a bit more frivolity, so perhaps an aquired taste.
Published on 3 Sep 2009 by dodger
5.0 out of 5 stars
Colin Firth reduces us to tears
This was one of the best family stories we have had in a long time. It was Colin Firths movie,ably assisted by the wonderful Juliet Stevenson.Not a dry eye in the house. Read more
Published on 2 Sep 2009 by Mrs. Marguerite Turpin
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