Loving Father

Rating:
Summary: Variety film critic Derek Elley's point of view
Review: "In a wonderfully sustained section of grumpy but restrained acting, Depardieu Sr. gives the stage to his son, who's more than up to the challenge. Their scenes together, staged almost like a black comedy, are free of both unnecessary verbal violence and ingratiating sentiment, preparing the way for their uneasy truce when the son cuts his father's bonds and they travel on as equals.

As Paul opens up emotionally, and Leo reciprocates, we realize they're both damaged goods: The 28-year-old had a spell with drugs, and Leo, once an inveterate womanizer, confesses he's now dried up as a writer. More than once, the pic plays like a twisted version of Ingmar Bergman's '50s classic, "Wild Strawberries," also centered on a distinguished personality recalling his youth and shortcomings as he journeys to accept an award.

Jean-Claude Petit's orchestral score turns what could have been a by-the-numbers father-son drama into a kind of emotional thriller, and the sense of dislocation from reality is heightened by Berger's direction, which is speckled with offbeat touches and humor. (Helmer's only previous feature was the 1990 "Angels," followed by telemovie work.) Ending is refreshingly free of saccharine melodrama, with a dreamlike, ironic coda.

Supporting cast is solid, with Testud essaying another of her brittle roles as the daughter who can't bear to see her father squander his talent.

But the main show is between the two Depardieus, in a piece of casting that resonates beyond their roles onscreen. In this one pic, Gerard reclaims his position as one of Europe's finest actors, after a recent series of unwise choices. Here he settles comfortably into a late-middle-aged persona that doesn't rely on eccentricities or pure physicality, while Guillaume definitely comes of screen age."

Rating:
Summary: Variety film critic Derek Elley's point of view
Review: "In a wonderfully sustained section of grumpy but restrained acting, Depardieu Sr. gives the stage to his son, who's more than up to the challenge. Their scenes together, staged almost like a black comedy, are free of both unnecessary verbal violence and ingratiating sentiment, preparing the way for their uneasy truce when the son cuts his father's bonds and they travel on as equals.

As Paul opens up emotionally, and Leo reciprocates, we realize they're both damaged goods: The 28-year-old had a spell with drugs, and Leo, once an inveterate womanizer, confesses he's now dried up as a writer. More than once, the pic plays like a twisted version of Ingmar Bergman's '50s classic, "Wild Strawberries," also centered on a distinguished personality recalling his youth and shortcomings as he journeys to accept an award.

Jean-Claude Petit's orchestral score turns what could have been a by-the-numbers father-son drama into a kind of emotional thriller, and the sense of dislocation from reality is heightened by Berger's direction, which is speckled with offbeat touches and humor. (Helmer's only previous feature was the 1990 "Angels," followed by telemovie work.) Ending is refreshingly free of saccharine melodrama, with a dreamlike, ironic coda.

Supporting cast is solid, with Testud essaying another of her brittle roles as the daughter who can't bear to see her father squander his talent.

But the main show is between the two Depardieus, in a piece of casting that resonates beyond their roles onscreen. In this one pic, Gerard reclaims his position as one of Europe's finest actors, after a recent series of unwise choices. Here he settles comfortably into a late-middle-aged persona that doesn't rely on eccentricities or pure physicality, while Guillaume definitely comes of screen age."

Rating:
Summary: Disappointing Film
Review: One usually equates Gerard Depardieu with good films, both light and dramatic, French or English. But THE LOVING FATHER just misses. Gerard Depardieu tries to make something out of this script about a father who has neglected his son Paul (played by Guillame Depardieu, his true son) for his writing. If ever there were a dysfunctional family story this is it. Leo (Depardieu) is so successful writer that he has just won the Nobel Prize. His transitional family (daughter Virginie played by Sylvie Testud, and his current live-in bed partner +/- a few others) is ecstatic and plans to go to Sweden for the presentation. Paul tries to contact Leo, but there is too much tension for discourse. Leo has chosen to travel to Sweden via motorcycle and when Paul discovers this, he stalks him. There is an accident and the press prints that Leo is dead; in actuality, Paul has been kidnapped by Leo in order for Paul to force his father to relate to him. The entire family ends up on a ferryboat to cross over to Sweden and mishap follows mishap and there is really no resolution to the story. Director Jacob Berger tries to superimpose action-flick veneer on this weak story but even that doesn't save it. Sometimes movies like this go unnoticed in the theaters for a good reason. Not recommended unless you are a dyed-in-the-wool devotee of Gerard Depardieu!

Rating:
Summary: Disappointing Film
Review: One usually equates Gerard Depardieu with good films, both light and dramatic, French or English. But THE LOVING FATHER just misses. Gerard Depardieu tries to make something out of this script about a father who has neglected his son Paul (played by Guillame Depardieu, his true son) for his writing. If ever there were a dysfunctional family story this is it. Leo (Depardieu) is so successful writer that he has just won the Nobel Prize. His transitional family (daughter Virginie played by Sylvie Testud, and his current live-in bed partner +/- a few others) is ecstatic and plans to go to Sweden for the presentation. Paul tries to contact Leo, but there is too much tension for discourse. Leo has chosen to travel to Sweden via motorcycle and when Paul discovers this, he stalks him. There is an accident and the press prints that Leo is dead; in actuality, Paul has been kidnapped by Leo in order for Paul to force his father to relate to him. The entire family ends up on a ferryboat to cross over to Sweden and mishap follows mishap and there is really no resolution to the story. Director Jacob Berger tries to superimpose action-flick veneer on this weak story but even that doesn't save it. Sometimes movies like this go unnoticed in the theaters for a good reason. Not recommended unless you are a dyed-in-the-wool devotee of Gerard Depardieu!