For Father's Day, A Few Cinematic Takes On Being A Dad
Prior to this Sunday, why not check out some first-rate DVD titles that examine the distinct challenges of fatherhood, and how we either rise to the occasion or, for a host of reasons, fall short.
The varied nature of the following titles speaks to the prevalence of fatherhood as a theme in film, and indeed, in all storytelling. Given its recurrence in so many movies, doubtless there any many fine "Dad" pictures I've overlooked, so feel free to share your own favorites.
I lead with one of the most heartbreaking foreign films on record: Vittorio de Sica's neo-realist masterpiece, "Bicycle Thieves" (1948). Here a man who depends on his bicycle for his living sees it stolen out from under him, and with his adoring son in tow, scours Rome to retrieve it. Finally, he resorts to the theft of another bike to put bread on his table. "Thieves" still packs a wallop, portraying poverty's heartless capacity to rob a father of the thing an impressionable son needs to see most --his basic dignity. For his powerful work, De Sica was awarded a special Oscar in 1948 several years before the Academy established a category for best foreign film.
In Vincente Minnelli's classic "Father Of The Bride" (1950), we see the lighter side to being a dad, particularly if you can laugh at the prospect of opening your wallet for your daughter's wedding. When lovely Kay Banks (Elizabeth Taylor) announces her engagement to Buckley Dunstan (Don Taylor), life for Kay's doting father Stanley (Spencer Tracy) turns inside out. His wife Ellie (Joan Bennett), wants formal nuptials for Kay, so Stanley finds himself consumed by the exhausting business of planning a big wedding, not to mention the headache of paying for one. This big-hearted MGM comedy provided the template for an idea that's been executed countless times, but never quite so charmingly. The wry Tracy is note-perfect as the aggrieved Dad, and young Liz makes a radiant bride-to-be. And Minnelli keeps the whole affair--replete with hilariously solemn heart-to-heart talks, a disastrous engagement party, and lovers' spats--from derailing into broad farce. If you're choosing a "Bride," make it the original.
No list of top father films can exclude Elia Kazan's "East Of Eden" (1955), an adaptation of the old Cain and Abel story updated to 1917 Monterey, via John Steinbeck. In his first featured role, James Dean plays errant son Cal, who aches for the approval of his upright father (Raymond Massey). A young, luminous Julie Harris plays Abra, the love interest of favored brother Aron (Richard Davalos), who soon becomes torn between the two siblings. Ultimately a series of dramatic events causes a transformation in Cal's relationship to his dad. Kazan's landmark film features vibrant color and atmosphere, top-flight performances and a dazzling screenplay adapted by Paul Osborn. Oscar-nominated Dean, Harris, Burl Ives and Oscar-winner Jo Van Fleet as Cal's reclusive mother, stand out in a stellar ensemble. (Note: Dean's next role in the better known "Rebel Without A Cause" would also portray a troubled father/son relationship, though of a decidedly different sort.)
The film that captures the father we'd all want to be- and to have- must be Robert Mulligan's perennially touching "To Kill A Mockingbird" (1962), based on Harper Lee's autobiographical novel. Atticus Finch (Gregory Peck), a widower and small-town lawyer in the Depression-era South, bravely defends a black man accused of raping a white girl, causing resentment in the community. Meanwhile his two children, Scout and Jem (Mary Badham and Phillip Alford), try to unravel the mystery of Boo Radley (Robert Duvall), the supposedly crazy man who lives nearby. A film that speaks volumes about racial intolerance in our country's recent past, this is also a moving and perceptive study of the relationship between two children and their single-parent father, with much of the action seen through young Scout's eyes. The child actors all turn in affecting, natural performances, and Peck, in the role of his career, deservedly won the Oscar for Best Actor. Make this required viewing for all children 12 and over.
Another memorable entry concerning a man suddenly confronted with single parenthood: Robert Benton's "Kramer Versus Kramer" (1979). On the brink of a big promotion, pre-occupied ad-man Ted Kramer (Dustin Hoffman) gets the wind knocked out of him when wife Joanna (Streep) leaves him and their young son, Billy (Justin Henry). Forced to balance career demands with caring for a young son he barely knows, Ted makes hard choices to be there for Billy. But when Joanna returns unexpectedly, a nasty custody battle ensues. Hoffman hit a career high-point with this near-flawless drama, which depicts the dissolution of a marriage with unerring sensitivity. Top-flight performances from the two leads help bring an insightful script to heart-rending life. At Oscar time, "Kramer" won Best Picture, Benton took the honors for direction and screenplay, and Hoffman got the nod for Best Actor.
Back to foreign soil and Akira Kurosawa's epic, "Ran" (1982). In this adaptation of "King Lear" transplanted to sixteenth century Japan, powerful warlord Hidetora (Tatsuya Nakadai) decides to divide his lands and riches among his two seemingly compliant older sons, banishing honest third son Saburo (Daisuke Ryu) after he challenges his proud father's will. With his family soon splintered and set against each other, Hidetora realizes too late his error in judgment, and the injustice he visited on the forthright Saburo. Kurosawa's late-career triumph is a vibrant, colorful epic, its drama magnified by an awesome visual sweep encompassing both period pageantry and setting. Shakespeare's fundamental themes of loyalty and betrayal play out with full force, thanks to superb performances by both Nakudai (a Kurosawa veteran) and Ryu in the pivotal roles. Another breathtaking achievement from this revered master of cinema.
Three years later came director Emir Kusturica's poignant "When Father Was Away On Business". Set in 1950s Sarajevo, the film portrays oppressive times in Tito's Yugoslavia, as married official Mesha is sent to work in the mines as punishment for flirting with a female comrade not his wife. Younger son Malik survives this period of uncertainty with a measure of hope and humor, believing his mother's story that his father is on a prolonged business trip. When Dad returns from his lengthy trip, normal routines resume, with the master of the house a touch wiser and humbler. "Father" evocatively portrays a challenging time and place, and against this grim backdrop, paints a warmer portrait of childhood innocence and imagination, as the adorable Malik manages to put a hopeful, fantastic spin on circumstances and events unfolding around him.
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Atticus Finch---no contest.
I might add Parenthood, with struggling but loving--and very human--dad Steve Martin, and his own troubled relationship with his dad, as played by the incomparable Jason Robards. Also, Spencer Tracy in Guess Who's Coming to Dinner. These are all very imperfect, but very loving, fathers.
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thanks for suggesting spence- agree!
I've seen Parenthood mentioned a couple times here and I noticed you haven't commented. I have to admit I've never seen the whole movie. I'm sort of a "quick to judge" type when it comes to movies and when I saw the trailer for Parenthood I thought it was a BS republican family values cliche propaganda piece of crap. Perhaps that's a bit strong. Anyway, then I was stuck on a plane and had finished all my work and watched about ten minutes of it which was as much as I could stand. Suddenly spread sheets and Powerpoint seemed interesting again. Wonder what you thought.
Hey, John, while I have your attention, and the blog seems to be winding down, I want to ask you something.
A few posts back, I made a comment in response to your invitation to watch a youtube video of you impersonating Julia Child. I watched it, and got a big kick out of it! I responded that I thought you did a "wicked" Julia Child impersonation.
On that blog, you answered every post but mine, leading me to worry that I had unintentionally offended you. I hope "wicked" means the same thing in your part of the country as mine, which is I really enjoyed it.
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please worry not, and thanks for being so considerate. I'm less good about answering every comment on youtube, but thanks for sending it!
Thanks, John.
I have to put in Zorba the Greek. Yes, I know, he was nobody's father in the film but the young englishman entered into his life in great need of direction and understanding. Alexis Zorba took over and taught him how to face life's battles, how to ride out the storms, when to withdraw quietly, how to be non-judgemental, how to laugh, cry, sing, shout, and most of all how to dance the dance of life itself. Everything a young man's father could/should be and almost never is.
Films are a great and wonderous thing.
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never thought about it, but you're quite right- Zorba really is a father figure in that film.
sooo glad you put Kramer Vs. Kramer....
the Bicycle Thief...th
the Courtship of Eddie's Father (Glen Ford?)...a
Father Goose (Cary Grant)...a keeper!
perhaps an odd pick..but the Boy in the Stripped Pajamas... the failure of a father....
and Mr. Farr..THE CHAMP...OM
I'll stop now..but, you may e-see me again tomorrow..
Father Goose! One of Grant's best!
One of my favorites from recent years, is a quirky and wonderful film of Tim Burton's called Big Fish. A great father and son story, and probably my favorite Tim Burton film.
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spalding gray saw this film (Big Fish) right before going off to commit suicide.
yikes!!
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forgive me- but is cary an actual father in that film??? weird, but cary didn't play fathers too often did he?
I just saw the Boy in the Striped Pajamas and thought it was pretty good although not nearly as good as Life is Beautiful (I think they had the same director or screen writer) which I think is truly a great fatherhood movie about an Italian father keeping his son alive in a concentration camp (and believe it or not managing to be funny at times). Father Goose is a gem as well, of course its hard to find a bad Cary Grant movie.
Is it me or does this list seem a little light compared to other subjects? I'm not knocking the list just saying it seems to me that Hollywood has a hard time dealing with fatherhood (unlike detectives, spies, love stories, etc.) without getting maudlin and sappy.
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life is beautiful is a terrific example.
list is light on purpose,,,want to hear your ideas...ju
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the champ definitely belongs on any list...the beery version of course.
Mr. Farr, excellent list. I especially love Kramer vs. Kramer. It was very interesting to watch Dustin Hoffman's character evolve into a wonderful and confident father.
However, my favorite "father" character of all time is Mr. Blandings! Cary Grant's portrayal in Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House was fantastic. I always wanted my father to be like him: suave and debonair as well as a caring father and husband. What a sweet movie.
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I've got to see that one again...I don't remember the kids in it. Always remember it as a love triangle with myrna and melvyn douglas.
I haven't seen Kramer since it was released but while I thought it was a great movie and Dustin Hoffman and Meryl Streep gave their usual great performances, I had a nagging feeling that it was kind of sexist, portraying the woman who wants to work as the cold blooded byotch. Or am I being too politically correct?
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actually, I didn't feel that way...usua
Tracy puts on a clinic in "Father of the Bride"--as good a performance in a domestic comedy as you'll ever see. Bonus: Liz Taylor at the mouthwatering peak of her ripeness. Program a double feature with another father-daughter story, "The Actress," with Tracy perfect as a gruff blue-collar dad with a stagestruck teenager. Other favorite dads: Burl "Mendacity!" Ives, Paul Lynde in "Bye Bye Birdie," Melvyn Douglas in anything.
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great suggestion: also don't forget "father's little dividend", with tracy and taylor again...a great sequel.
On a lighter note, "Meet Me In St. Louis" is also a film about fathers. Although the Judy Garland character is the focus of the film, the father is the one who's the catalyst for all that happens when he makes the decision to move from St. Louis.
I agree. Deep down, the father was just a soft teddy bear, and in the end he put the happiness of his daughters above his promotion. I love that movie. It was absolute perfection.
Great addition, Mr Steamboater! The father, of such feisty daughters, was so devoted to his family and, oh, to watch your Judy sing "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas!" A heartwarmer, for sure.
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I adore this film, and who can forget little Liza, daughter of director and star, doing her first cameo?
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absolutely right.
hard to live up to that standard of fatherhood!
I wish I could celebrate Fathers Day. My kids were taken from me, two kids my lover of 24 years adopted. When he died, DCS put them back into foster care. There are nights when I can't sleep thinking about it all, days too when I just stop whereever I'm at and just freeze up as it all comes back. Although I've seen many films about fathers, I don't want to see them any more.
Oh Steamboater, my heart breaks for you. I cannot imagine the pain of not being with my children.
Oh, Mr. Steamboater! So very, very sorry. You are always so kind in your posts.
My heart goes out to you. That's alot of loss to have to bear.
Thanks to all of you. I guess for some people bad things strike and don't know when to stop. Eight months later my mother died and then the day after my dog. How I got through with it is something II'll never know but I'm still here.
You break my heart. The cause for this kind of pain is unforgiveable. Please move to Canada where such foolishness and cruelty is forbidden. Same - sex marriage is completely legal here as well as everything that goes along with it.
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this is so sad- what a cruel, ridiculous decision. my heart goes out to you.
What about Return of the Jedi that was a great father and son reunion movie... Well sort of alright I got one Field of Dream!
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return works...fi
Well that the movie punch. This is probably the most misquoted movie line ever by the way. Peoples assume that Costner character is hearing "If you build it, they will come!" in reality it "If you build it, HE will come!"
What about "Parenthood"?
You beat me to it. Multi-generational. Many fathers each with unique issues. Even a single mother that has to play role of father and mother.
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Parenthood: a movie I liked, but didn't love...too cutesy, pat, hollywood-y for my taste. Know many will disagree.
To Kill A Mockingbird, one of my favorite books, and a wonderful movie. Before I even knew that Gregory Peck was in a movie, or that there was a movie, when I read the book my mind immediately turned to Gregory Peck as what Atticus looked and acted like. Who couldn't want to be Atticus? A man who knew you didn't have to compromise your values to be tolerant of others, thus avoiding the two pitfalls of attempting to live in a diverse society.
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you know who almost got the part?
rock hudson!
I did not know that!!! Nothing against Rock, but all praise to the casting person for choosing Peck. There simply could be no other Atticus.
One father film where they got the casting right, but blew the movie, was The Shining.
As I was reading that book, I pictured Jack Nicholson in the lead. I was thrilled when I heard Kubrick was making it, and Nicholson was starring.
I know many people love this movie and see it as a classic, but loved the book and did not appreciate how Kubrick butchered (for me) the script. That film will always be a huge missed opportunity for me.
I loved the comment Stephen King made when asked about the film. "I feel like I tossed Stanley Kubrick a live grenade, and he, heroically, threw himself on it."
The book had a tragic father/son relationship, with depth. All I got from the film was slow progressive derangement. I did enjoy Nicholson's "Heeeeere's Johnny!" moment, however. Kubrick should have let Jack direct it.
Great choices, John. I've seen all but "When Father Was Away On Business." I will definitely check it out.
"To Kill A Mockingbird" not only has the greatest father figure of all time, but is one of the best movies depicting childhood through the eyes of children I've ever seen. I grew up in a rural setting very similar to the film, though not as impoverished, and all the scenes involving the kids take me right back there.
Hows about the father De Niro played in "A Bronx Tale?" Pretty tough to be a straight and narrow bus driver, trying to compete with a flashy and charming mobster who also cares about your son. And De Niro's not the mobster!
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bronx tale is an excellent choice- my friend chazz palminteri will be annoyed i didn't include it.
I love Chazz, and he his so great in that film, as are all the other actors. One of my very favorites!
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