The Father Movie Review

The Father (2020)

Rent The Father on Amazon Video (paid link)
Written by: Christopher Hampton and Florian Zeller (screenplay by), Florian Zeller (based on the play by)
Directed by: Florian Zeller
Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Olivia Colman, Mark Gatiss, Imogen Poots, Rufus Sewell
Rated: PG-13
Watch the trailer

Plot
A man refuses all assistance from his daughter as he ages. He tries to make sense of his changing circumstances, but begins to doubt his loved ones, his own mind, and even the fabric of his reality.

Verdict
This movie taps into the fears of mortality, watching a man lose his mental faculties. Even knowing what this movie attempts to portray, you don't quite know how all the pieces fit together until the end. You understand what's happening, realizing that Anthony's memories blur. People, places, and time become unmoored. Many people that have treated dementia patients claim this is the best depiction of the condition. This movie's power is in the insight it provides, however disheartening.
Watch It.

Review
From the start this feels like a high reaching, prestige type drama. This tackles a difficult subject, utilizing two great actors in Hopkins and Colman. 

Anne (Oliva Colman) checks in on her elderly father Anthony (Anthony Hopkins) who has just chased off another home care nurse. Anthony defends himself, accusing the nurse of stealing his watch. He finds it, but still blames the nurse stating she would have stolen it if he hadn't hidden it. The audience knows what's going on. Anthony is clinging to any idea that supports he isn't succumbing to dementia. He's in denial about his state, only concerned of himself. He insults his daughter on top of that. Anne just wants to ensure his safety as she's moving away.

Anthony Hopkins, Olivia Colman, Imogen Poots play Anthony, Anne, Laura/Lucy.

From this point we see things from Anthony's viewpoint. It's not clear when we are, whether the flat is his or Anne's, or who everyone is. It's a jumble and that's the point. This is what the world looks like for Anthony. He's confused, not recognizing people. We see him fake knowing or remembering to avoid embarrassment or questions. He can be charming when needed, but it's a front to hide his condition and his fears.

With an unreliable narrator, it's difficult to determine whether Anthony's claims have merit. Is Anne's reaction when Anthony talks about his favorite daughter Lucy disgust from the open insult or sadness that Anthony is losing his mind? Are these jumbled memories or random ideas that enter his mind?

Anthony Hopkins plays Anthony.

I wondered how much would be revealed by the end. Would we get an outside perspective that would put all the pieces together? We're never sure what's going on and neither is he. The movie does such a good job of disorienting us. It's powerful as I now have insight into dementia and how it feels. This is a fear for many older individuals.

Anthony's memories are mixed up. His memories are present, but not indexed correctly. It's not like we're watching him slip away. He's been gone. The climax of the movie is Anthony voicing his fears and confusion. He doesn't understand what's happening. There's no way to fix that or help him, and that's where the movie leaves us.