Episode 170 - The Father (2020)

Reel Britannia - a very British podcast about very British movies...with just a hint of professionalism.

 

This week, join Scott and Steven as they discuss'The Father'. A movie that poignantly depicts an elderly man's descent into dementia, masterfully portraying his disorienting reality. As Anthony's memory fractures, his daughter Anne struggles to care for him. The film uniquely places the audience within Anthony's confused perspective, where timelines shift and faces change, creating a deeply moving and unsettling exploration of aging, memory, and loss.

 

Episode 170 - The Father (2020)

 

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Florian Zeller’s 2020 film, The Father, is a poignant and unsettling cinematic experience that immerses the audience directly into the disorienting world of an elderly man grappling with dementia. The story centers on Anthony (Anthony Hopkins), a fiercely independent and proud 80-year-old living in a spacious London flat. His daughter, Anne (Olivia Colman), struggles to care for him as his grasp on reality deteriorates, yet he vehemently rejects every caregiver she hires.

The film's brilliance lies in its innovative narrative structure, which eschews a conventional linear plot for a fragmented and subjective perspective. We see the world through Anthony’s eyes, a confusing and ever-shifting landscape where time and space are fluid. Familiar faces inexplicably change, as different actors portray Anne and her husband, Paul. The layout of the apartment morphs, with rooms and furniture appearing and disappearing without warning, mirroring Anthony’s internal turmoil and profound sense of loss.

This clever and disquieting approach masterfully conveys the frustration, fear, and confusion that dementia inflicts. The audience is placed in the same bewildering position as Anthony, questioning the reality of events and the identities of those around him. We share his moments of lucidity, which are heart-wrenchingly interspersed with paranoia and accusations, particularly his recurring belief that his cherished watch has been stolen.

As the narrative unfolds, it becomes devastatingly clear that Anthony’s perception is unreliable. The flat we believe to be his is actually somwhere else, and his timeline of events is a jumble of memories, anxieties, and present moments. The film’s climax is not a singular event but a gradual and heartbreaking erosion of Anthony’s identity with some final gut wrenching scenes and a powerhouse performance from Anthony Hopkins.

The Father is a powerful and empathetic exploration of dementia, leaving a lasting impression of the profound human tragedy of a mind unraveling.

 

"I don't need any help from anyone. And I'm not going to leave my flat. All I want is for everyone to fuck off. Having said that... it's been a great pleasure. Au revoir. Toodle-oo."

 

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Thanks for listening

Scott and Steven