And When Did You Last See Your Father?
Oct. 1st, 2007 09:55 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
rhythmaningTonight I saw another preview (thanks, apparently, to a Radio Times offer rather than filmstalker) – this time, Anand Tucker’s film of Blake Morrison’s book, And When Did You Last See Your Father?.
I loved the book – though I could remember little of it: it was a while since I read it. And I loved the film, for many reasons. The story of Morrison’s relationship with his father, Arthur, it is a moving, powerful film, and for me it brought back memories of growing up in the 1960s (albeit that Morrison was a teenager and I a toddler) – it is full period details – particularly the cars (Arthur drives a rather beautiful Alvis). It is about life, and death, and sex; as much about Morrison and his memories and thoughts as about his father.
It is very reflective, both metaphorically – the film told through flashback and shared memories – and literally, much of the film shot through reflections in mirrors and rain-drenched windows. It is beautifully considered, fleeting glances through a door and in a mirror capturing moments. And amongst the sadness, there is much humour.
The central roles of Blake (Colin Firth ) and his father Arthur (Jim Broadbent) were excellent, captivating the uneasy relationship as a man watches his father decline. Juliet Stevenson as Blake’s mother was slightly less convincing, but only because she barely seemed to age – she didn’t appear much older than Firth – whilst Broadbent went from young to old.
Teenage Blake, played by Matthew Beard, had to carry large parts of the film, showing conflicting feelings of love and hate, growing up under the threat of nuclear war and familial infidelity. His father’s insensitivity – “it’s only a bit of fun!” a common refrain – characterised the relationship.
Like the book, this film made me think deeply about my relationship with my father, and sad that my father – who died many, many years ago – never got to meet many of the people I love. (Sometime, I’ll write about this. Sometime.) Like the book, too, the film brought tears to my eyes (I cry easily, especially in the movies!).
I loved the book – though I could remember little of it: it was a while since I read it. And I loved the film, for many reasons. The story of Morrison’s relationship with his father, Arthur, it is a moving, powerful film, and for me it brought back memories of growing up in the 1960s (albeit that Morrison was a teenager and I a toddler) – it is full period details – particularly the cars (Arthur drives a rather beautiful Alvis). It is about life, and death, and sex; as much about Morrison and his memories and thoughts as about his father.
It is very reflective, both metaphorically – the film told through flashback and shared memories – and literally, much of the film shot through reflections in mirrors and rain-drenched windows. It is beautifully considered, fleeting glances through a door and in a mirror capturing moments. And amongst the sadness, there is much humour.
The central roles of Blake (Colin Firth ) and his father Arthur (Jim Broadbent) were excellent, captivating the uneasy relationship as a man watches his father decline. Juliet Stevenson as Blake’s mother was slightly less convincing, but only because she barely seemed to age – she didn’t appear much older than Firth – whilst Broadbent went from young to old.
Teenage Blake, played by Matthew Beard, had to carry large parts of the film, showing conflicting feelings of love and hate, growing up under the threat of nuclear war and familial infidelity. His father’s insensitivity – “it’s only a bit of fun!” a common refrain – characterised the relationship.
Like the book, this film made me think deeply about my relationship with my father, and sad that my father – who died many, many years ago – never got to meet many of the people I love. (Sometime, I’ll write about this. Sometime.) Like the book, too, the film brought tears to my eyes (I cry easily, especially in the movies!).